The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-21
Secretary Of Union The
Object Of Their Ire.
ADVISES RETURN TO WORK
Thinks the Trouble Would Be
Easily Adjusted Then.
THE STATEMENT REPUDIATBD.

Brock:on, Sept. 21.-A statement OF
Secretary Cunningham given out yester-
day afternoon was the sensation Of the
hour among the striking lasters. Men
gathered in groups as soon as IL was
made known. and the strikers seemed
almost unanimous In condemning IL.
The statement follows: For the best
interests OF all concerned and for the
benefit of tl.s whole community. be-
lieve that this matter should not be too
hastily acted upon. and that the best
course for the good OF all should be fol-
lowed. While we have demonstrated
oar strength and shown that we can
control the situation as far as the ma
jority OF lasters is concerned. yet to use
this strength In an arbitrary manner is
not s,r the best interests Of all. There
fore express 1t as my belief that the
men should return TO work pending
settlement. Such concessions as might
be offered could then be better delib-
Grated upon.
II take this position on my own re-
sponsibility. regardless OF the sacrifices
which l am making personally. 1t is
my belief that the best policy to be pur-
sued under the present conditions would
be for the lasters to return to their
work at their respective factories, pend
ing settlement. as / consider il Inn
practicable TO adjust the differences on
the uniform basis with the men out.
We have shown ourselves capable of
controlling the lasters, as their attitude
on this question has proven. and / am
In favor of having ii understood that IL
the settlements made after the men
return are not satisfactory, they will
again be called out.
II realize the fact that this contest.
II prolonged. no matter who may be the
victor in the conflict. viii be serious
blow 10 the industrial interests OF the
whole section. While / realize at the
present moment that my attitude will
be severely criticised. yet deem it my
duty as an executive officer TO take this
stand. 1t is therefore my desire that
the men should return to work pending
settlement
ExSecretary j. N. Sullivan OF the
Stoughton union. who was present dur
ing the interview. and who claimed to
have heard similar sentiments expressed
by many of the men, wished to have IL
fully understood that he fully conceded
with Mr.. Cunningham's views. Mr..
Sullivan was chairman and president of
the joint council which settled last year
strike.
delegation from the conference
committee, learning that the statement
was to be made public. called on the
Associated Press representative and
said that they, wished TO ropudiate the
whole statement. The members said
that they as a body. or as individuals
as far as the committee knew, were not
in favor OF the statement at all, or any
part of 1t. The committee Included
the president OF the Rockiand branch
and officials OF the Brockton union. They
claimed that they could not understand
why such an apparent change came
over the secretary, who was apparently
In favor of long battle Monday night
Over 600 Iasters are cut. The figure
would have been larger had not several
firms given in and secured the return OF
their men. II was little thought that
Field. Hazard * Co. and ~. W. Field
would lose their men. but all came out
save one man. who was green at his
trade. l.. NJ. Reynolds s. Co, the Union
Shoe company and F.. w. Packard &
Co. were among the last 10 make set
Elements.
The IA mer oIt at whitman state that
they have other grievances besides the
new list Sometime ago they were
asked to work for less money. and de-
clined. A new kind of machine, the
Seaver. was put in. The men were
then allowed about 1 cent a pair less
than was paid at q. r. Keith's. and the
men objected, and so came out with the
other strikers.
Extra excitement was caused among
the strikers when II was learned yes
terday that lastcrs from Boston. Lynn
and other places had arrived looking
for situations. The move was not
wholly unexpected by the union off,
cials and they appeared to deem the
matter of little Importance The ex-
element abated when II was learned
that only about n score were in the
party. They separated after leaving
the hotel where they had stopped and
came together at G.. G.. SHOWS They
are believed to comprise the 20 mon
claimed by the firm TO be at work there.
They represented that they had been
sent 'by the agent OF the Chase Hand
Method Lasting Machine company.
BARGAINS IN HORSES.
New York. Sept. 21.-Three hundred