Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-03-05
COURAGE OOZlNG.
New Bedford Strikers Anxious to
Resume Work.
Appeal to Federation May PrOlong
Struggle-Much SUITE ring.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass, March Safer
six weeks, the big cotton mill strike has As
sumed the appearance Of u lockout more
than strike. The 500 operatives who went
out Jan. II In u spirit Of agIressiveness are
heartily tired OF resistance at such severe
cost. and most of them are ready to return
to work 1t the first opportunity. The neu-
trails are great sufferers as result OF the
strike. as are the great mass OF the public,
the city at large and the business interests
outside the mills. Already the strike has
been u severe blow to business Of all kinds
The strikers and the business world are
alike using what influence they have
to secure the reopening OF the mills. A
few days ago ii was expected that the
gates would open on Monday morning, but
1t was false hope. No mill will attempt to
start up for another week, mt least, and then
not cent OF income will reach the opera
tives till two weeks later, an interruption In
all OF nine weeks and attended by loss in
pay roll of f675. 900. Whenever the press
correspondents have asserted any weaken
ing or encouragement ON the part OF the
strikers their leaders have Indignantly de-
MED 1t. They practically admitted their
desperate position, however, when Secretary
Cunnane issued his call for aid. He made no
attempt to disguise the fact that he strike was
in IL critical condition, and plainly declared
that starvation was slowly forcing the strik-
ers to surrender, and II aid did not reach
them at once hey would break ranks and go to
work. The strikers are making u herOi', eff
fort to keep up II show of deliance The very
day Cunnane's appeal was issued the weav-
ers met, passed resolutions of confidence in
their leaders and then adjourned for one
month. Yet. scarcely u man believes there
will be even the ghost OF strike at the end
Of IL month. The suffering among the strik-
ers is not q theoretical fancy; 1t is real, and
all the efforts to relieve 1t are able to only
keep 1t within reasonable limits and to bring
only comparative comfort. The most cflec-
tive agency at work are the eight or ten
soup houses. supplying food to not far from
1900 families daily. The poor department is
about 800 cases weekly, furnishing 90 per
week and the demand still continues. Fully
nne-tenths OF the cases are state cases,
and the expense will come on the common
wealth. The aid received by the general
committee was more satisfactory last week
than at any time since the opening OF the
strike, but even at that was scarcely one
tenth OF the regular pay roll. Sunday alter
noon the striking council, In its despera-
ton, voted to mako II direct appeal to the
American Federation OF Labor, In the in
terests OF the common cause of labor vs.
capital. The strikers feel that they have
undertaken the brunt OF battle for
principle, md although most OF them
are not associated with the feder-
alton, that the organization ought
to step in at this time and pre-
vent defeat II the federation does
take 1t up, the contest may be prolonged
man, weeks more. The number Of vacant
tenements In the extremes OF the city in
creases daily, but the removals are less than
they were 10 days ago. There are probably
1000 vacant tenements hero today. Several
English families have left for Lancashire;
others who ha 1 planned to sail have delayed
with the feeling that the end Of the strike IL
In sight. A good many OF the operatives
who have sought employment In other tex
tile centres have returned. The weavers
who left for the silk mills in New
Jersey are back again. The agreement
made with them In regard to pay and trans
pOrtation was strictly kept but they became
satisfied after trial that they could not do
better than they can here, II Mr.. Gompers
does not heartily take up the appeal Of the
strikers in the name OF the American FEEDER
alton, trade unionsm will lose hundreds OF
adherents In this city, and many will join
the Socialists.
BIDDEFORD. Me-, March 3-The end OF
the seventh week OF the strike in the Pep
perell, LacOnia and York cotton mills sees
no prospect OF settlement of the difficulty.
Both operatives and mill management re-
main firm, and indications of settlement
by arbitration seem remote. The strike has
already caused u loss In wages OF nearly
$500. 900. The committee that IL soliciting
funds In New Hamdshire and Massachusetts,
mill cities reports that 1t Is receiving
enough cash subscriptions to carry on the
fight Tor some weeks to come. 1t Is said
that SO weavers OF the York mills are pre-.
pairing to 20 to Jewett City, Conn, where
they will go to work In cotton mills. Half
dozen families have left for Canada, trans
portation being furnished by the pauper de-
partment. Business men are Respondent
and fear the city will be ruined unless the
strike is soon ended. Business Is at stand
still. and many clerks are taking enforced
vacations. The York storshollses are filed
to OVERLOOKING with cotton, and carloads are
arriving daily.