The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-07
Mill Superintendent on
the Big Strike.
SOURCE OF PROTESTS,
He Advis:s That the Agitat0rs Be
Not Like the Lily.
NO IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT.

New Bedford, Mass, Feb. I'm an ad.
dress on Relations OF the employer tc
the employed" before the Brotherhood
OF st. John at Grace Episcopal church
last night, ~. b. Kerr, superintendent
OF the Grinnell mills. said he saw nc
hope OF an immediate settlement OF the
present strike. nothing but protracted
struggle. He declared that the storms
Of protest over the cutdown arose orig
snally not from the operatives. but from
politicians. from office holders, and from
those leaders OF the unions who lived not
by working themselves, but who were
paid by the unions. The strike can
only result in a loss to both sides. Mr..
Kerr believed that the so-called lead
ers were responsible for all the trouble.
and said that the sooner the walking
delegates and the agitators went 10
work, the better IL would be for capital
and labor. He thought many strike
could be avoided by mutual forbearance
and common sense.
Secretary Ross OF the Spinners' union
denies the truth of the statements rela-
tive TO the weakness of the strike. While
there may be individual complaints and
willingness to give up the fight, he does
not feel that the general body OF opera
tives is in a position where IL will give
up the battle AS to the near end OF the
strike through the weakness OF tie
unions he says such statements are
poppycock. Mr.. Ross returned from
Boston last night feeling greatly pleased
at the situation. He had been to a con-
ference OF labor leaders assembled from
all New England TO meet President
Gompers OF the New England Fedora
tion OF Labor, and from the talk that
was had he feels that aid will soon be
forthcoming 10 the New Bedford strik-
ers which will put them in a position
TO resist with additional strength. Mr.
Gompers and the other leaders were
surprised to learn that there was nc
break in the ranks. as had been indicated
In some of the papers, and thh were
pleased at Mr.. Ross assurances mat the
front OF the battle is still in fighting
order.
At the conference at the Quincy House
steps were taken which Mr. Ross thinks
will furnish the strikers with the aid
they have lacked. He told those present
that $4,000 will be required weekly AS
a result of the discussion IL was decided
TO appoint committee to arrange for
conference at an early date to which
representatives of all textile unions in
the country will be invited, whereby a
plan for the systematic aid OF the strik-
ers may be set on foot Mr. Ross feels
encouraged that this plan will bring to
New Bedford all the aid required 10
bring the contest 60 a successful end
After the meeting. Mr.. Ross. Secre-
tary Waldron of the Carders' union and
the secretary OF the Loom Fixers' union,
together with collectors who ave working
,1n Boston, went TO the meeting Of the
Central Labor union where Mr. Ross
laid the case OF the New Bedford strik-
ers before the body. AS a result. action
Will probably be taken by the council to
make systematic solicitation for aid
Of the New Bedford strikers in Boston.
Rev. w. j. Reynolds has issued an open
letter to the mill men, asking them to
confer with the operatives and end the
strike. II need not speak OF the suffer-
ing caused here by the strike" he writes.
That helpless women and children are
suffering beyond all telling personally
know, and I need hardly say that no
man would have any shadow OF a right
TO the titles OF gentleman and chris
tlan If he did not desire, heart and soul.
TO have this unhappy paralysis of busi-
ness with all the suffering IL entails,
brought TO speedy end. 1t is an insult
TO your understanding to argue with you
that the entire business OF the city has
claims upon you which you cannot af-
ford to ignore. / humbly ask for your
unprecedented consideration OF the in
dustrial and social aspects OF the prob
lem now before us Z"
The legislative committee on labor
VIII visit New Bedford tomorrow i'm it's
endeavor TO investigate the causes of
stagnation in the cotton industry. The
committee Is said to be anxious to learn
something of the fines question. and that
is why the members will first come here.
when both subjects can be looked into.
The committee will also visit Fall River.
Lowell. Lawrence and other places
where we ges have been reduced. and will
mold public hearings there. Not only
the operatives themselves, but repre-
sentatives OF the corporations. the en-
ployers. will be summoned by the COM
mittee and obliged to testify.
WEAVERS TO ORGANIZE.