Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-21
LASTERS' STRIKE.
A Gain Of Nearly 100 Men
Since Monday Night.
Sec. Cunningham Advises Return to
Work Pending Settlement.
Men Repndiaio His Published Statement and
Are indignant.

Brockton, Mass. Sept. 2O-The strike
of the lasters, beth union and nom
uEion men, in such BroclSton shoe fac
tories as have not seen the adoption Of
the price list proposed by THE Lasters
Union, Is gaining slightly, for over 600
men are out, tonight, as compared with
sos last evening.
Some excitement was caused among
the strikers, today. when it was learn
ed that a number of lasters from Bos-
ton. lynn and ether cities had arrived
looking for situations. The move was
net wholly unexpected by the untca
officials, and they appeared to deem tihs
matter of little Importance. The eX-
citement abated when 1t was learned
that only about a score were in the
party. They separated after leaving
the hotel where they had stopped and
came together at G. G. Shows, ana
vert in. They are believed to comprise
the 20 men claimed by the firm 30 be
at work there. They claimed to have
been sent by the agent OF the Chase
Hand Method Lasting Machine Co.
The statement of Secretary Cunning
ham, as given out, late this afternoon,
was the sensation of the hour. Men
gathered in groups as soon as it was
made known and the strikers seemed
unanimous in condemning it. In his
statement he saws:
For the best interests all concerned
and for the benefit of the whole COM
munity, l believe that this matter
should be not too hastily acted upon.
and that the best course for the good
of all should be followed.
while we have demonstrated our
strength and shown that we can con-
troll the situation as far as the major
ity of the lasters are concerned, yet
to usethe strength in an arbitrary
manner is not for the best interests of
all. Therefore l express it as my be-
lief men should return to work pend
ing a settlement. Such concessions as
might be offered could then be better
made.
Il take this position ON my own res
possibility regardless of the sacrifice
which l am personally making. 1t is
my belief that the best policy to be
pushed under the present conditions
would be for the lasters to return to
their work at their respective fac.or-
les. pending a settlement, as / con-
slider it ianpracticable ito adjust the
difference son the uniform basis wish
the men out.
I'VE have shown ourselves capable of
controlling the lasters. as their attitude
on this question has proven, and l am in
favor of having 1t understood that If the
settlements made after the men return
are. not satisfactory. they will again be
called out.
Ex-Secretary j. N. Sullivan of the
StoughtOn Union, who was present dur
ing the interview and who claimed to
have heard similar sentiments expressed
by many of the men. wished to have it
fully understood that he fully conceded
with Mr.. CunninCham's views. Mr.. Sui
Ivan was chairman and president of the
joint council which settled last years
strike.
A delegation from the conference COM
mittee learning that the statement was
to be made public, called upon The Asso-
ciated Press representative as soon as
they could and said that they wished to
repudiate the whole statement. They
claimed that they as a body and as indl-
viduals as far as the committee know,
were not in favor Of the statement at all
or any part of 1t.
The committee included the president of
the Rockland branch and officials of the
BrocktOn Union. They claim that they
could not understand why such an ap,
parent change came over the secretary
who was apparently in favor of long
battle, last night.