Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-10
Pc emission GIVEN.
Lowell and New Bedford Spin.
ners at Liberty to Strike.
Executive Committee Of the National Mule
spnners' Union Denies All Other Appl-
cations-FaIl River Blamed.

Boston, Jan. 9.-The mule spinners of
Lowell and New Bedford were given
permission to strike by the executive
committee of the National Mule Spin
ners' Union today and an assessment
OF 20 cents per week was levied upon
members of the union. The executive
committee also ordered the sum of $500
from the national funds to be placed at
the disposal of the strike committee.
The meeting was attended by every
member of the board, and delegates rep
resenting every mill centre in New Eng
land were present, and several delega-
tions made application for per-
mission to strike. The meeting
lasted several hours. and among
the principal speakers were Messrs.
Michael Duggan of Lowell, pres
ident of the National Union; Secretary
Ross and Treasurer O'Donnel Of the
National Association, Executive Mem
bers Robert Howard of Fall River, Geo.
Byron of Lewiston, Me-, ], W. Bailey of
Dover, N. H., jeremiah McAuliff Of
Lawrence, James Murphy of Taftville,
Conn. James Fallon, secretary OF the
Rhode Island spinners and vice presi-
dent Of the National Union.
The board denied the application for
Lowell and New Bedford, it being
thought advisable to have the strength
of the organization centred in those
places.
In the event of Lowell declining to
strike the assessment, which will amount
to between $3.50 and $500 week, will
be devoted to the New Bedford strike.
It was voted that where reductions in
wages occur which wifi bring them be-
Ia To a q
to the executive committee for them to
decide as to the advisability of strike.
1t was decided that in cases of strikes
the back boys and doffers would receive
81 a week during the strike
The case of Dover, N. H.. was
of somewhat unsettled status Notice
of a reduction has not yet been posted.
The men claim they were working for
s per cent less than the Fall River
operatives were, and they will oppose
any reduction. In case a reduction is
threatened at. Dover, the matter will be
brought to the attention Of the national
board for immediate action.
Many speeches were made regarding
the acceptance of the cut-down by the
Fall River spinners. All agree that the
Fall River operatives should have re-
sisted and that there would have been
ample funds to back them. The speeches
Of delegates presenting the various
cases where cut-downs had been posted,
or had been threatend, advocated resist
ance; and in every instance they petit
toned the board for permission to
strike.
The New Bedford representatives ex-
pressed themselves as exceedingly
pleased with the hearty cooperation of
the executive board, and said they had
a good fund Of their own and would be
/ glad to assist, so far as possible, with
their funds the cause in other cities.
| The Lowell men said that they would
no doubt strike, but it would be left to
the operatives. and a meeting would be
held during this week to decide the
matter. The cut-down in Lowell takes
effect Jan. II, and about $1,000 persons
will be affected directly by any crisis in
the mill interests. The Lewiston repre-
sentatives stated that the reduction in
that city will equal $4,000 month on
the pay roll.