New-York tribune., 1897-12-22
THE FALL RIVER CRISIS.
TELL WHY WAGES
MUST BE REDUCED.
HOURS OF LABOR so SHORT IN MASSACHUSETTS
AND LABOR 20 HIGHLY PAID THAT
SOUTHERN MILLS ARE GETTING
THE BUsINEss-sTRIKE TALK


on ALL SIDES.
Fall River Mass. Dec. N.--After Informal
discussion. lasting nearly all Of the forenoon. a
formal meeting OF the Manufacturers Committee
was held this afternoon. and the answer to the
operatives proposition framed. 1t recites the
, conditions affecting the print-cloth industry in
Fall River and the for the proposed re-
duction of wages. The full answer is directed 10
Thomas O'Donnell. secretary OF the conference
committee. and says that the manufacturers have
carefully considered the three propositions sub
mitted TO them by the representatives Of the
various labor organizations there assembled. 1t
continues:
River find confronting them a condition OF things
which, TO say the least Is startling and the con
mills in Fall River ind It impossible to dispose OF
their output at such prices as will admit OF any
petition which Fail River mills have to meet has
bge3 brought ot about In Pt by the
shown toward those OF her citizens who have ap-
Peared 10 mead her sympathy The hours OF labor !,
IN neighboring States and more than her manu-
enty relisved tho burdens Of tho operatives in the
factories. they have really worked 10 their imam
undue competition outside Of Massachusetts. where
hours of labor are Longer and where every induce
The South has modern mills. containing most
improved machinery end very low cost OF labor.
Massacnusetts is handicapped by the shortest labor
hoars ana extremely restricted legislation. com
pared with other and compet ng state. Mills must
run and earn dividends for stockholders, or there
Is no inducement for capital TO invest IN Massa-
m!t,ee. that there s no money for stockholders, or
r2T rnnnF SS m .d whfh & Is for fore %
Fall River mills 10 DO ali the curtailing of produc
full time: and II curtailment OF production hero
brings about better prices. Il is only temporary,
build more mills not in Fall River but outside OF
Massachusetts We work against ourselves every
Of tho rest OF the ,pndles Of The country and in
our opinion competitors would be willing 20
Fall River is able to manfsciure cotton cloth at
a. low &c, cost as Is Is Posw,ioie esrwhere ~.
ffty-eight hours per week. the otn.r States have
sl1ty-h0qT law, e fos G59r the sg s9u!hSrn mills Tqn
some cases run day and night The cost Of labor
f Enssnd and they claim adTaH,agss % s' in Wat "
power. taxes. cheap transportation and cheap cot
Ge are az as sood but Il no beteT hsD 6a and ne
stares US IN the face that they can undersel US
in the markets on account OF the lower cost or
Bat reducing labor I, not all sonc concerted
state can be made ;ri@ndiy to H. .ndestTes 80
mills in FAN River and Massachpset,s run less
hours than in OTHER sta'Ss ana tha, y Is ne e..
under such adverse conditions t seems 20 his com
mitte~ that nothing is 10 bc gained by putting N
Tor two months more the date AZ which reduction
Of wages should 80 into effect and inssmuch p.
year or more under conditions very dscouras!r-
and unr-muncrauve. during which '!ms We IA, d"
tried the experiment - cur'ei!ing e1tensivcy. 'he
committee 4 mn Ifacfurers feei that fhe situAiior
ia such that they must adhere "a their decision
that fl II absolutely necessary 20 reduce wages In
Fall River mills u 10 per cent. said rcdu iiOn 20
20 into effect on January 2 lSss, ~ voted by To
manufacturers 1T a mee,lng held on December g.
1891
Tho answer Is signed BY C. c. Rounrevi.is. tho
secretary After tho meeting N, answer was sent
by messenger to Secretary O'Dorneh OF the Spin
ners Association. Various secretaries wero se"n
later and their talk indicates opposition. SecEetsi}
O'DonneI saG that II tho conference comfniiie'
should listen to tho operatives. n s.rike would Do
nm, in force o-mOr-1w Instead Of waiting until
January Secretary Whitehead OF the weaVers
said that there nothing left but action. hrd
mat thev would act. The sentiment among tho
,Sravers r. to oppose a cutdown. secretary Tnn-~y
~ ,te rftrs wa. of he opinion mat 'he ser