The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-24
M'KIELEY is SORRY.
He Regrets the Cotton Mill
Strike and Thinks Arbi-
tratiOn is the Remedy.

New York. Jan. 24.-Eva Mcdonald Va
lesh wires the Journal as follows:
I interviewed President Mckinley today
on the textile strike in New England. A
prominent senator presented me and in
formed the president that I had been
making special investigation of condi-
tons as they actually exist in the princi-
pal milling centerS of that section.
so you have been investigating the con-
d1tiOn of the strikers in New England %
interrogate dthe president TEL me about
them. I have heard nothing definite
L explained as cOncisely as possible that
the whole trouble seemed to resolve ifse1f
into question Of whether the manufac-
10 per cent and whether the Operatives
could live on that reduced amount
~ s,I suppose that is about the essence
of the question" said the president
cult to tell just where the trouble lies.
The manufacturers may feel obliged to
make make the cut in wages to keep their mills
But if the operatives cannot live de-
Yes that is bad. Working people
ought to get living wages, and one can't
blame them for protesting when they feel
lhat the cut IS too great and they cannot
get along; Did you see many cases Of real
I detailed some of the cases which came
under my observation and gave an outline
Of the way in which the people are
Wei. I am sorry to hear that people
are SUFFERING, the president said. 1T
seems q pity that there should be such a
the matter very fully. Is there any pros
pect of peaceful settlement
I mentioned the pending order in the
Massachusetts legislature providing for an
investigation to show the exact condition
of the textile trade.
Yes. that is an excellent thing" said
really the first thing to be done. I have
always watched the industrial condition
all over the country with the greatest in
terest, for I feel that our prosperity as a
whole depends very largely on the con-
dition of the wage earners. 1t is an ex-
exact
both sides The manufacturers can
speak more frankly and fully to an i'm
partial legislative committee than if
wOrkmen and If thew should show that
the cut was inevitable they might, on the
other hand possibly hold out some chance
of raising the wages very soon, for do
depression in the cotton trade I know
the workmen of New England are such a
We're convinced that the cut in wages was
a necessity they would accept it cheer
fully until conditions improved.
"On the other hand, if there are men
having families who cannot live in de-
that should certainly be brought to the
attention of the manufacturers, and the
commonwealth. as we'll. OF course, I do
not understand that all the operatives are
very poor or suffering from the nee
essaries OF life, but II there is any num-
ployment and provide fairly cOmfortab BILE
and frugal, they should certainly nave an
opportunity to give their side of the case.
I hope that the investigation will be
made, and am sure the careful analysis
of facts Of both sides will be of great
value.
Il hope the strike will not extend
throughout the textile industry" contin-
ued the president earnestly That would
indeed be calamity. The advices from
other portions of the country indicate that
times are very much improved, and that
the improvement, while gradual, is of a
permanent and healthy character. IshOuld
much regret a long strike which would af-
feet so large number of people. Has
the state board of arbitration interven-
ed?'
1 assured the president that it had at
tempted to adjust the matter before the
New Bedford operatives struck, and was
unsuccessful, but that it intended to make
another attempt
4 was much interested when that law
was passed by Massachusetts creating a
state board of arbitration he replied. 7
have been pleased to see that other states
have followed the example and created
similar boards. I hope arbitration will
be considered by both sides in this diff
Guilty. 1 believe thoroughly in arbitratiOn
as a principle. Nothing but good can re-
suit from an intervention of this sort
1t is the true way of settling the differ
ences between capital and labor. The dis
turbance to trade and transpOrtiOn is very
serious where mills lie idle. and it is to
the interest of the whole country, as well
as those Immediately concerned. that
peaceful and equitable settlement should
be effected"