The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-14
Observation-Disclosures
NAV Be Added to the Ranks Of New
~. England's Unemployed.
A GENERAL STRIKE IMMINENT.
If tho Recommendation of a Confer-
ence Held In Boston Is Adopted,
Hundred and Forty-seven Thousand
Mill Workers VIII Quit Work.

ence Held In Boston Is Adopted, a
Hundred and Forty-seven Thousand
Mill Workers VIII Quit Work.
Boston, Feb 14.-At meeting yes
terday In this city of S. representatives
of textile unions In New England 1t
was unanimously voted to recommend
that all unions call out the operatives
In every cotton mill in New England.
The meeting was practically the out
come of the recommendation which
President Gompers made to the Feder-
alton of labor on the 9th inst, in which
he urged the different unions to unite
on some settled policy regarding the
mill situation in New England. At that
meeting q committee Of three was ap-
pointed to take charge of the matter,
and after a conference this committee
recommended that a general meeting
be held to take definite action. Yes
terday the representatives Of the vari-
GUS national textile associations as
sembled in the Wells Memorial Hall,
and for four hours discussed the situa-
tion from every standpoint. The pri-
mary object of the meeting was to de-
wise some method Of rendering assist
ance to the New Bedford strikers.
1t was pointed out that if the strik-
ers at New Bedford could hold out four
weeks without receiving more than 25
cents per operative a week in the way Of
outside assistance other mill operatives
could stand a similar strain, and that
II tall went out 1t would precipitate
crisis that would have to be met within
a short time by the manufacturers. 1t
was also shown that the mule spinners
were in excellent condition as regards
funds; that the United Textile Work
ers and the New England Federation of
Weavers were also in good shape, but
that the rest were short of funds. Not
a single vote was registered against the
motion that the different unions should
order a general strike
1t now remains for the various ma
tional unions to take action on the
recommendations, but what action will
be taken is a matter of conjecture. If
all should acquiesce and vote to strike
$4,000 operatives would undoubtedly
cease work. and the manufacture Of
cotton goods throughout New England
would be at a standstil. If, on the
OllleI ndiu OHly d lSN SlOulu
vote to strike the refusal of the others
would still keep large portion Of the
mills In operation.
Inasmuch, however, as the meeting
was the outcome of President Com
pers' suggestions, and az he adinonished
the members of the Federation of La
Dor to join hands and assist the New
Bedford strikers, it seems propable that
nearly every union will carry out the
recommendations, and that one of the
greatest strikes ever seen in this coun-
try is impending.
From the point OF view of the New
Bedford strikers the action taken by
the conference is scarcely likely to be
received with joy, inasmuch as it is
against the policy adopted at the meet
ings of the executive committee of the
National Spinners' union-to wit, that
New Bedford should be made the bat
tleground, and until the conclusion of
the strike there the other textile centers
should remain at work. thereby acquir-
ing the means to assist the New Bed
ford operatives in their struggle Then,
at the conclusion of New Bedford's
fight, the plan was, whether New Bed
ford won or lost, the strike against thu
general reduction should be extended
in one district at a time until the whole
of New England had been covered.