The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-01

AS
the reduction in all the mill cenJers applies
to the treasurers superintendents, over
seers and clerks as well as to the spiuners
and other operatives.
Providence, r. l., Dec. Slater delay
ing the decision TO the last in the hope
that in the meantime conditions might
change SO as to render the step unneces-
sary, the leading cotton manufacturers
in this city and state have decided to re-
duce wages. The cut down will average
IL per cent. 1t win take effect Jan It.
and notices TO that effect will be posted
in the mills of b. b. & r. R. knight the
Lonsdale and other companies controlled
by the Lippitts and smaller corporations
throughout the state.
j. w. Daniels secretary of the Qunne-
bagog and other mills, said that the reduc-
lion would take effect at his mills on Jan
II, although the amount had not been de-
cided on.
The Eastern Connecticut corporations
will take similar action. Many firms oppose
the reductions and favor running shorter
hours, but say they canont afford TO keen
up the cost of production and then curtail
the output when the other mills are turn
ing out the regular quantity at 10 per cent.
below cost The exact amount of the re-
duction is not fixed yet, but will be on the
same line as in other cities.
Col. r. ii. l. GODDARD in discussing the
cut down, said: 81 would have preferred
TO keep the wages where they are and run
shorter hours for, say four months; but
as the rest decided to run full time. we
shall be obliged to do the same. No doubt
the first action taken in FAN River was
largely due to southern competition. The
low wages and standard of living, with the
longer hours there make it very hard for
us to compete with them. do not think
that the cotton manufacturing business
will ever leave New England for the south.
but things will have to equalize them
selves"
Mr. Robert Knight said: 1--WE have got
TO do it to put ourselves on a level with
the other manufacturers. We are oppos-
ed TO it and do not believe 1t is going to
better conditions very much. 1t will only
bring us 10 per cent nearer the southern
markets. This is the key to the whole
situation, and where to-day the southern
mills are sold up and can go on making
and selling at a profit. we are carrying
stocks and when we sell cannot get back
new dollar for an old. The legislatures
have done much harm in the north by
interfering, and they have attempted more
than they have any business TO, and a
change will have to be made in the laws,
or laws will have to be made in the south
TO regulate the working hours there"
New Bedford, Mass, Dec. 31.-The own
ers of the cotton cloth and weaving mills
In this city have voted to post notice of a
10 per cent. reduction in wages, to take
effect Jan. z. 1t is understood that the re-
duction will apply to all salaries. The cut
down will affect nearly 900 operatives.
New York, Dec 31-A dispatch from
Fail River to the Commercial Advertiser
says: -. ThaYer Lincoln, manufacture
er who has been In Japan for some time,
Is making an effort to have local mill men
build mill in that country for the manu-
facture of cotton. 1t is said that a FAN
River mill builder viii go to Japan and
see what the opportunities are for build
ing mill with native help. If the native
help will not do then American worklnen
will be taken there II it is finally decided
to Introduce the industry there"
New Bedford, Mass, Dec 31-It is TN
derstood that the cut is made as yet only
in the cloth mills The cut will affect
the treasurers, oVerseers and superintend-
ents. The mills involved operated 875 800
spindes and 21,S10 looms. Matthew Har-
vey, secretary of the weavers, when ask
ed to express an opinion of the cut-down,
said: Il do not believe the weavers will
stand 1t. There is not a single mill in
New Bedford that cannot be proven TO
have paid at least Is per cent. during the
last year"
Fall River Mass, Dec 3i.-The strike
indications among the textile operatives
are not so alarming tonight, and the
change is brought about by the actiOn of
the loom fixers. This union has been look
ed upon as a body strong in strike senti-
ment. But at the meeting tonight bal
lot showed $50 in favor of the acceptance
adopted by the general committee, 20 for