Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-03-12
END OF THE STRIKE.
Wheels of Industry at BiddefOrd
Again in Motion.
New BEDFORD Strikers Will shortly
Capitulate.

Capttulate.
BIDDEFORD, Me-, March 9-The cloud
of uncertainty and depression which hung
over this city seven weeks, during the prog
ress OF the cotton mill strike, was suddenly
dispelled on Saturday afternoon. The strike
Is Off and the Pepperell and Lacona mills
reopened their gates on Monday morning,the
strikers, or majority OF them at least, re.
turning to work under the 10 per cent. cut
down which they had been resisting since
Feb 20. Neither side can claim an alb
solute victory. Each had considerably
undercstimated the others power OF
endurance. Though the operatives have
finally accepted tho cutdown. they have
done SO with the agents assurance that
the Pepperell and Laconia will not be the
last OF the New England mills to restore the
old wages when the condition Of the cotton
market warrants. The conclusion of the
strike came somewhat Unexpectedly. Fol-
lowing their custom. the operatives held II
meeting on Saturday afternoon, to discuss
the situation. Chairman Noel Beaupre
briefly addressed them, telling them OF the
successful efforts OF the committees sent to
Massachusetts mill cities in quest of financial
aid. He was interrupted in his address by
the appealance Of representative OF the
Dressers' Union, the body which really
brought on the strike. After minutes con-
yersation with the newcomer, Chairman
Beuupre announced that he had been
requested to Join committee Of
operatives to call on Agent Robert Nc
Arthur This committee was composed
Of Il dresser q weaver and mule spinner.
The committee found Agent Macarthur in
his Office He received them coureously.
! but told them he could make no promises to
/ ,l,nth n hn1 & n In
interviews that the Pepperell and Laconia
were not the first cotton mills in New Eng
| land to make u cutdown, and would not be
| the last to restore the old wages whenever
there is sufficient improvement in the cotton
goods trade to warrant an advance. lie
! could not Eegotinte with the operatives as
| strikers He referred to the action OF the
Pepperell and Laconia, several years ago,
when they voluntarily restored: In the
fall. n reduction which had been made
in the spring. lie agreed to reopen the
gates Monday morning. If he could be
assured that the operatives would return
| The dressers, by whom the strike was pre-
cipitated were the first to act on the report
They voted unanimously to return to work
| Monday In mass meeting ofthe strikers
! Chairman Beaupre related the substance OF
Agent McArthur's statement to the commit
| tee, and then asked how MANY were willing
to return to work Monday. There followed
"A
sponses. Then the chairman called
for a rising vote, and all but
about 20 stood up in favor of going to
work. The announcement OF the vote was
received with cheers. Some dissatisfaction
was expressed at the result as it was said
tuut the dressers who brought on the light
should have had sand" enough to fight 1t
out to the end. An attempt, too, was made
to secure a large enough minority to stop
the operating of the mills, but the operatives
were too near starved out and public opinion
was too strong us to the hopelessness of the
fight to make the movement success.
The business men OF BlddeIord, VINO
hard times as they have experienced
during the long shutdown, are jublnnt
tonight over the prospect of reopening
of the mills. Almost to man the mcr-
chants have stood by the strikers and
literally contributed money, clothing
lilies from restitution. The Rev. FIR. I. P.
Linchan of st. E,ary's and the Rev. FIR. P. +,
Dupont of st. Joseph's church have lately
been using their influence to have the opera
tiyes return. 1t Is said to have been largely
through the intervention OF these clergymen
that the interview between the agent and
strikers committee was brought about. The
operatives have lost nearly $2l0. 600 in wage.
since they came out on strike, and business
has been crippled. Had the battle for higher
wages lasted a few weeks longer the city
would have been ruined. As 1t is, 1t will
take Biddeford many months TO recove
from the effect Of the strike, If 1t ever
does.
NEW BEDFORD, Mass, March 9--Th'
most conservative judges of the situation ii
this city give the strike just one more weel
of life. It Is true that some such feeling hal
prevailed with the end of each of the sever
weary weeks OF idleness, but there are YER,
decided signs to show that the days OF thu
struggle are numbered. Up to the presen
time the strikers have held together with I'M
usual harmony, but now this ono point threat
ems disruption. Twice. at the urging O
those unions whose members are not ag
grieyed by fines, the weavers have heei
begged to abandon their cherished Don
tention, but each time have refused. Now
the other unions have decided to tolerate
such an attitude no longer. They feel tina
the weavers and their lining issue are goot
deal like tho provcrhial milestone about thri
necks and they are preparingtO cut 1t adrlfl
The strikers are Us devoid of funds as ever
with the single exception Of the spinner'
who have so far been supported by the ma
tional organization. Secretary Cllnnane ma
lust paid Treasurer Watson 16o3.To, TN
amount received from various sources
The soup houses. nine of them now
still flourish through the generosity of
philanthropic public and hundreds o
gallons OF savory food are lad!ed out dali
to the thousands Of needy strikers. IN
rush at the poor department office is una
bated, despite the fact that every applican
last week was forced to submit to the ordea
Of vaccination, on account OF tho existence
OF a case of small poy at the South end
One of the hopeful signs OF speedy settle
ment is the fact that in several OF the corpc
rntions the overseers, second hands, IA
machinists have been ordered to return
work. 1t is assumed that this means tina
the machines will be again set in motto
Monday, March IA, after an idleness OF eigt
weeks.
; FALL RIVER. Mass, March 9-All OF tn
operatives went to work In the King Phili
mills on Monday morning, the last OF tn
ring-frame spinuers who were on strike hay
, Ing given up their resistance and decided
return us they ca ne out. The struggle
the ring spnners las ed seven weeks. an
was encouraged by the mule spinners. TIE
. pairs OF mules were thrown out and tn
spinners returned beaten. but very angr
and they gave regular assistance to the rip;
> frame help who are without
i union and consist almost wholly OF cir
and boys. The places of the strikers wei
> being gradually filled, and on Friday la
: they concluded it. was prudent to give up,
u they could secure their old work. Man
new frames were added to the equipment