The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-24
SPINNERS COUNCIL
Meeting to Consider the Strike Situation
In Various Places.

Meeting to Consider the Strike Situation
In Various Places.
Boston, Jan. 24.-The center Of the in
teresting scopes in the textile troubles
Of New England temporarily shifted
from New Bedford to this city yesterday.
and was contained in the meeting of the
executive council Of the National Spin
ners' union. The meeting was called
20 consider the strike situation in New
Bedford and also the matter of the Fall
River mills and other mills in New Eng
lana where strikes or lockouts are i'm
minent, or have already taken place.
The meeting was one OF discussion rather
than action, although it was resolved to
concentrate all the efforts of the organ
ization on the New Bedford situation,
leaving the Fall River trouble and the
difficulties I'm other cities for local unions
to handle and adjust if possible.
The principal feature OF the discussion
was the denunciation OF the Arkwright
club and the charge that that organiza-
tion OF mill treasurers and agents con-
spired with Agent Chase of the Kipg
Philip mill of Fall River to substitute
ring for mule spnners. There seemed
whether Agent Chase was willing
party to what was called the conspiracy,
or had been forced into IL by the Ark
wright club. 1t was. however. generally
accepted as a fact by the meeting that
the attempt TO put in the ring frames
was merely an entering wedge TO put
them in every mill i'm Fail River. The
spinners say that the machines do in
ri nd ha4 hot, f,,t,
in other mills has not been profitable TO
the mill owners. in mills where the
ring frames have been placed no divi-
dends have been paid. An instance was
cited Of one mill that had been shut down
for 10 years simply because there was no
demand for its products after machinery
took the place Of men.
The New Bedford strike situation was
fully discussed. and the general opinion
seemed to be that the settlement of the
trouble would be a long time in coming
In fact Secretary Ross said that he did
not look for its solution until far into the
summer, if indeed it came then. The
organization there has a strong backing
and it was disclosed that the operatives
had anticipated the trouble so far ahead
that an assessment Of so cents a week had
years. Notwithstanding this fund, the
organization in all the mill centers will
be assessed to help the New Bedford
strikers. and Fall River will contribute
! as well as others.
The trouble in the Watervlle mills
was brought to the attention Of the COM
mittee. n 10 percent reduction in wages
was proposed in Waterville by the own
m a ,t-ae ha1 nj
compromise made on10 percent a strike
is anticipated, for there is much indigna-
| ton over any reduction in wages what
| ever. cut of more than 10 percent will
surely result in strike. II there is one
! the strikers will be supported by the local
union as long as possible. Then the ma
! tional organization will u Ike a hand.
In an interview at the close of the
meeting Robert Howard said in speaking
| of the substitution Of ring spinners for
| the mules; "ln England wages are rela-
| lively higher than they are here i'm Mas
| sachusetts and they turn out better work.
Our mills do not take the pains with their
| cloth manufacture that the Englishmen
| DO; but purchasers in this country have
not learned how TO Judge good cloth as.
| 1t CONES from the mills. They are not
| 80 particular as they will be some time,
and as they are in England now. We
don't care at all If they do get rid Of our
union I'm Fall River as they seem 10 want
| to do. 1t VIII mean an Improvement in
| the rest OF the union. Why, there are
only 700 men in the mills in Fall River
| now where there used to be 1900 The
/ more mules they throw out, the weather.
we grow. The per capita value OF each
| member Of the union is increased. The
| contributions to the strike fund have
| been very generous thus far. AS long
as assessments are paid our fund is in
| eXhaustible. Tlen we have funds in the
| bank which we can fall back upon N
necessary at any time. As long as those
now at work In the mills are employed
! they viii pay their assessments"