The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-24
keep STRIKE CENTERED.
This Will Continue To Be Policy
Of Spinners' Union.
MEETING OF EXECUTIVE C0NNClL
IN BOSTON YESTERDAY.

Arkwright Club Denounc ced for Con-
spiracy--The Fund of the Striking
spinners Said To Practically Inexhans-
tible-LocaI Unions Must Tax e Care of
Strikes Outside of New Bedford.
/ Boston, January 23.-The centre of in
terest in the textile troubles of New Eng
land temporarily shifted from New Bed
ford to this city today and was found
in the meeting Of the executive board OF the
national spinners' union. The meeting
was called to consider the strike situa-
| tion In New Bedford and also the matter
of the Fall River and other mills in New
| England where strikes or lockouts are
imminent or have already taken place.
The meeting was one of discussion
rather than action, although 1T was re-
solved to concentrate all the efforts OF
| the organization on the New Bedford
| situstion, leaving the Fall River trouble
and the difficulties in other cities for
local unions to handle and adjust, If
possible. The principal feature of the
discussion today was the denunciation
of the Arkwright club and the charge
that the organization of mill treasurers
| and agents conspired with Agent Chase
Of the King Philip mill of Fall River to
substitute ring for mule spinners.
There seemed to be some difference of
opinion as to whether Agent Chase was
In mil 1iI,r< ,r%r- IN Had %Ir
conspiracy, or had been forced into it by
the Arkwright club. It was, however,
generally accepted as fact by the meet
ing that the attempt to put in the ring
frames was merely an entering wedge to
put them IN every mill in Fall River.
The spinners say that the machines do
inferior work. and that their Introduction
in other mills in New Bedford has not
been profitable to the mill owners. In
mills where the ring frames have been
placed no dividends have been placed.
An instance was cited of one mill that
because there was no demand for its
products after machinery took the place
of men. The New Bedford strike stu
alton was fully discussed and the gen
eral opinion seemed to be that the settle
ment of the trouble would be a long time
in coming. In fact Secretary Ross said
that he did not look for it's solution un-
t til far into the summer if indeed it came
then. The organization there has a strong
backing and it was disclosed today that
the operatives had anticipated the
trouble so far ahead that an assessment
of so cents week had been levied and
paid for nearly two years. Notwith-
standing this fact, the organization in all
the mill centers will be assessed to help
the New Bedford strikers, and Fall Riv-
er will contribute as we'll as others.
The trouble in the Waterville mills
was brought to the attention of the COM
mittee. A Is per cent reduction in
wages was proposed in Waterville by the
mill owners, but conference was held
and compromise made on 10 per cent.
A strike is anticipated for there Is much
indignation over any reduction in wages
whatever. A cut of more than 10 per
cent will surely result in a strike. If
there Is one, the strikers will be support
ed by the local union as long as possible.
Then the national organization will
take in hand.
In an interview at the close Of the
meeting, Robert Howard said, in speak-
ing of the substitution of ring spinners for
the mules: "In England wages are re-
latively higher than they are here in Mas
sachusetts and they turn out better work.
Our mills do not take the pains with
their cloth manufacture that the Eng
lishmen do. But purchasers in this
country have not learned how to judge
good cloth as it comes from the mills.
They are not SO particular as they will be
some time, and as they are in England
now.
"We don't care at all If they do get rid
of our union In Fall River as they seem
to want to do. 1t will mean an improve
mont in the rest of the union.
n Why, there are only 700 men in the mills
in Fall River now, where there used to
be 1900. The more mills they throw out,
the wealthier we grow. The per capita
value of each member of the union is in.
creased. The contributions to the strike
| fund have been very generous thus far.
"As long as assessments are paid. our
! fund Is inexhaustible Then we have
| funds in the bank which we can fall back
| upon if necessary at any time AS long
as those now at work in the mills are
employed they will pay their assess
ments.
AID FOR NEW BEFoRD.