Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
FOR A GENERAL STRIKE.
Action of Mule Spinners May Stop
All New England Mills.
Vote to Call Out All Operators In Aid
of the Cotton WOrkers-The Or
der VIII Affect Fully 147,-
900 TOiIers.

Boston, Feb. 1.-THE executive coun-
Gil of the Mule Spinners of America
net in Boston Sunday. There were As
delegates present, representing Bidde-
ford, Saco, Fall River, Waltham, New
Bedford and Lowell. 1t was voted
unanimously that the delegates report
to their various unions to strike. The
decision of the council causes a gen.
eral strike, which will affect the entire
cotton industry of New England. The
announcement that the council had ar
rived at such decision has caused a
great sensation, as it was not expected
that the mill operatives that are at
work would be called upon to strike at
this time.
The prevailing opinion has been that
New Bedford was to be the battle
ground on which the war would be
waged against the reduction in wages.
Such decision of the council will draw
all the other mill workers, outside of
those who are at present figuring in
the strike, from their places until all
the looms and spindles of New England
stand silent. The meeting was a long
and bitter one, and the only vote taken
was that which determined the fate of
the entire cotton industry of New Eng
land.
When the question was put there was
not dissenting vote and the president
of the meeting announced that a gem
eral strike would take place as soon as
the unions can perfect arrangements.
1t is said that at the meeting it was
the general sentiment that strike at
all the New England mills was The only
manner in which the difficultyln the va
rious cities where the strikes are now
on could be brought to speedy settle
ment. 1t was the opinion of the dele
gates that their decision would be re-
ceived in the proper spirit by the OPP
eratives in the various unions and that
they would respond to the call for the
strike. If such is the case, within q
short time not loom or spindle in any
of the New England mills will be run
ming.
1t now remains for the various ma
tional unions to take action on the rec
concentrations, but what this action will
be is matter of conjecture. If all
should acquiesce and vote to strike,
$4,000 operatives would undoubtedly
cease work and the manufacture of cot
ton goods throughout New England
would be at standstill. If, on the 9th
er hand, only few unions should 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 Gompers'
suggestions, and as he admonished the
members of the Federation of Labor to
join hands and assist the New Bedford
strikers, it seems probable that nearly
every union will carry out the rec
concentrations, and that one of the
greatest strikes ever seen in this coun-
try is impending.
New York, Feb. 14.-Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation
of Labor, has been in this city for sew
eral days to get the unions of this city
to enter into movement for an eight
hour day. According to the present
plans of labor leaders demand for the
eight-hour day will be made on Nav l
next that will involve fully 10000
men. The American Federation of La
Dor will make this demand in one trade
ut time, and, according to the lead
ers, great strikes are expected before
the battle likely to follow is decided.
Previous attempts to force the large
employers to grant the eight-hour work
day have been unsuccessful. The sue
cess OF the recent strike of miners, in
which more than 100000 took part, has
encouraged the American Federation
of Labor to prepare for undertaking a
tremendous fight. The leaders are now
perfecting plans which they believe will
insure success. Mr.. Gompers intends
to confine his work until May to inter-
esting the unions affiliated with the
American Federation in the movement.