Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-14
A lime Tor Going Slowly.

'""V W. oVt'y OiVWiys
1t goes without the saying that in
Augusta, as in every other community
the best results are obtained when
labor and capital are both prosperous
1t is equally apparent that apprchen-
sion relative to any clash between the
two is not confined to either or both
the parties directly concerned All are
interested, cannot help being interested
if they would Certainly in this city il
may be said that there is absolute
need of the dollars which go into the
local channels of trade from the hands
of the mill operatives. Accordingly
whenever there is talk of IA strike or Il
shutdown the interest and apprehen-
sion become general and in conse-
quence the expression of opinions like
wise becomes general. The value of
those cannot in the nature of things ID"
as great as We're they the opinions If
those intimately acquainted with all
the circumstances. as obviously but
very few are. There is one opinion.
however. which does not require special
knowledge to give it weight. We refer
to the dread of a strike, of the cessa-
ton of employment for any number If
operatives possibly a cessation for all,
of a thousand people undergoing n
OH
to consumers alone, from ability to
live comfortably TO condition where
they possibly will. to greater or less
degree. be thrown on charity.
The Journal is not well enough ac-
quainted with the conditions to volun,
teer expert advice were it disposed TO
do so. In common with others who
have followed the discussions in the
press we have heard both sides. and ii
is a rare question that has but one sid.
We do not doubt that very many Of the
operatives sincerely believe that cut
downs have been made where they
were unnecessary and we are not pre-
pared to say that their suspicious are
in some Instances unbound ii,
but one should he remarkably
We'll equipped to fight success
fully at the drop of the hat. As a
rule those who bide their time far
better, and if their cause he just IT,
proper opportunity will usually b.
afforded whereas if it be ii mistaken
up and put the matter in the right
light than cooiness and patience.
We have been informed that the
class of goods made in our local mills
comes into more or less direct compe-
tition with those manufactured at Fall
River and in the South. If that is 50
the competition must be considerable
intensified by the cutdown at Fall
River where the operatives for some
reason have not struck. The market
quotations show that prices of goods
are running very low. Certainly all
not merely talk The large stocks in
the market and the increase of mills
and dividends in the South indicat"
that. II seems 10 he generally adj
mitted that the cotton market is far
from favorable at present Under such
circumstances, right in midWintcr in Il
rigorous climate, when living EXPENSES
are greater by reason of fuel. MOI"
clothing and need of more food, tn
promise of Il successful strike or al :"
speedy settlement should strike be
begun looks dubious to the outsider,
however il may seem to those on the
inside, and il is as an outsider We
must judge. 1t is not clear to as,
and we think this is the view of
the majority Of the people, why
if a strike be demanded, the de
mand cannot be delayed until more
fayora BILE time. when markets may be
in better condition and when there
would not be the rigors of a cold WIN
ter to face Each one of the operatives
must feel that it is a grave question to
decide for himself let alone deciding
it for other operatives. We believe
that we only voice the sincere wish OF
the people of this city in expressing
the hope that no radical step will be
taken except upon the most mature
and careful consideration of all the
conditions existing or likely to exist
This is most opportune time 70"
going slowly.