Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-30
BATES SHOP STRIKE
Men Are Still Out and Propose
to Contest Reduction.
Edgar A. Bates Talks To Spy Man On
the Local Situation Other Web
ster Notes.
(special ptgpatch to the Sow

Especial Dispatch to the spy)
Webster, March 29.-The strike at
Bates shoe factory is still on, and the
attitude of the strikers and their en-
ployers remains the same. The lasters,
which number nearly forty, emphatical-
ly state to the Spy man that under no
consideration whatever, except that of
renewing the old price list, will they re-
turn to work. They are unanimous in
that decision. Edgar A, Bates, the ju-
nior member of the firm, was inter-
viewed this forenoon by the Spy report
er. In substance, Mr.. Bates said: "At
the time when the strike occurred,
was away, and did not know a thing
about it until last evening, when ar
rived home from New York city. Con
cerning the cut, it is merely waste Of
time talking about it. l knew 1t was
coming, for before l left town, went
over the price list and saw at once that
the premium l was paying for the last
ing of this shoe was more than could
afford Accordingly 1 authorized Mr..
Elliott to reduce the price list four cents
on a dozen of shoes. You may call it
a reduction, a cut-down or anything else
you wish. I understand that Mr.. Ell
lott argued with the strikers when he
asked them to do the shoes at the cut
rates, and all assured him at the time
that they would do them. But it seems
that they are not men of their word,
for they have all left, and 1 understand
won't return unless we adopt the old
schedule. But if they wait for us to
chase after them to come back, the
ground will be covered with snow. Be
fore we will ask them to return. we
will close, the factory doors. We will
make no concessions whatever. l intend
now to look over the price list that other
shoe manufacturers pay, and if we are
above the average, I intend to cut all
around. If the operatives do not like
it, the door will be thrown wide open,
and they can get out at any time they
see fit"
Mr.. Bates, when asked If the absence
of the strikers materially affected the
working of the remainder of the fac
tory, replied that it did, and that If the
strikers did not return or their places
filed by other workmen, the entire fac
tory would have to shut down. Mr..
Bates said that to his knowledge and
best belief, as yet no other operatives
had been engaged to substitute in the
places which are now vacant.
Although the strikers do not seem to
be excited over the matter, crowds of
them assembled OH the streets today
and discussed the situation. At about
2 o'clock this afternoon, a crowd of II
strikers assembled at the corner of
Main and High streets, and talked the
situation over. They do not seem to
show much anxiety over the matter, but
all are determined that they will not
return to work unless the old schedule
is adopted. They also state that if any
outsiders come to town and attempt to
fill or "scab" their jobs, they will resort
to desperate measures to prevent it.
GREAT BIG PETITION.
Postmaster William z Marble told the
Spy man that if everything could be
arranged, the petition for free de-
livery mail service in Webster and Dud-
ley will be sent to Washington tomor-
row. The petition contains several hun
dred names of citizens In both towns.
A map of Webster and Dudley, show
ing the dividing line between the
towns, and the outlying villages, with
all of the facts pertaining to the case,
will be forwarded.
Mr.. Marble will make for a strong
point in the case the large business
that Is conducted through the general
delivery window, which is twice that of
any other department in the Office.
That department alone averages a de-
livery Of 5000 letters daily The clerks
at the present time, during certain
hours of the day, can hardly handle the
business. Another strong point that
Mr. Marble will advocate is the large
money order business that is transact
ed. 1t is larger than that Of the city
Of Woonsocket, r, l., and double that of
Southbridge and Putnam.
Through a. bright idea Of Mailing
Clerk Richard P. Love, the postmaster
has been influenced to decorate the
walls of the office with vermilion signs,
which politely inform its readers that
no loafing in the office is tolerated.
WATER PIPE BURST.
A water pipe burst between the floor
ing in Oscar Shumway's Main street
block, last evening. The break was
discovered by Alfred Klebar1 The water
soaked through the ceiling and dripped
down into S. H. Davis & Co.'S furniture
store, but fortunately the leah occurred
where but little damage was done.
ROUND ABOUT TOWN.
James M. Geary has been chosen lead
en- of the Pulaski cornet band
The water commissioners met this
morning and transacted their business
of the week, drawing several orders
The forty hours' devotion which has
been in progress at the St. Louis church
since Sunday, closed this morning at the
o'clock mass.
UNFORTUNATE OLD MAN.
H c. King, 50 years old, of Dudley,
was locked up this evening by Deputy
Sheriff Maurice P. Clare, and will later
probably be committed to the insane
asylum. Mr.. King was raving crazy,
and his suffering were pitiful to wit
ness.
Mrs. Hannah Thompson, aged 81
years, died at her home this afternoon
of consumption. The funeral will take
place Thursday at 2 o'clock p. m., from
the residence at North Main street.