The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-16
INQUIRY
HAS BEGUN.
Labor Committees Sits
at New Bedford.
SEC. ROSS STATEMENT.
Mill Situation Is No, Due TO South
ern Competition.
OTHER VIEWS GIVEN AT HEARING


legislative committee on labor began IT'S
investigation into the textile situation
under the Flynn order yesterday, hear
ings being held morning and afternoon.
The witnesses heard told the operatives
side of the story. and their testimony
was taken down by a stenographer in
the employ OF the manufacturers. Mil
ton Reed OF Fall River. as counsel for
the Arkwright club, cross examined the
witnesses. The operatives were without
counsel. Several OF the mill treasurers
were present. but remained only short
time. They will again be asked to tes-
tify, and, falling to do so, will be sumo
moned in due form.
A sensation was created In the COM
mittee by the public statement of
Senator Leach, the chairman. that the
members. If prejudiced in the matter at
all, had a leaning in behalf Of the oper-
atives. Several members took excep-
tlons TO the remark. Later Mr.. Leach
withdrew the statement.
Secretary Ross OF the spinners said:
'I have asked manufacturers their rea-
sons for the reduction and have been
told that IL is because OF the southern
production, restrictive legislation of the
north and cheaper help of the south
Now / made a tour through the south
and went through some of the mills
examined some OF the best mills of the
south, and / found that the cost OF
production from the standpoint of la
Dor was more in the south than here"
James Cook, president OF the Spinners'
union, said that in his opinion the Ding
ley tariff had not kept fine goods out
of the country as IL was expected il
would. He did not think any hardship
was imposed upon the manufacturers
by legislation. He was sure there has
been over -production-ef-e cotton CLOTH
reducing the hours of labor. he thought.
would improve the condition of the Ia
borers. He preferred national legisla-
tion on shorter hours to state legislation.
The only reason the witness could give
for the reduction was the combination
OF the mill treasurers in Boston. whereby
the mills with modern machinery should
help out the mills with old machinery.
Senator Towle asked II the cause Of
the strike could not be laid to two or
three old mills in Fall River. Mr.. Cook
replied that in his opinion if Fall River
bad not accepted the 10 percent re-
duction New Bedford would not have
struck.
John Waldron, secretary of the Card
crs' union, said there was no attemnt
made by a majority of the cloth mills
OF this city to live up to the particulars
bill. He knew places where the posted
particulars had not been changed i'm
six months, while the work had been
changed number OF times. The speed-
er tenders are supposed to be paid bv
the hanks they turn off. but as n matter
Of fact. Mr.. Waldron said, they are not.
Mr.. Waldron objected TO being cross-ex-
amined ~ the attorney OF the manu-
facturers unless the operatives had an
attorney 10 examine the manufacturers.
President Cunnane of the weavers was
not satisfied with the manner in which
the investigation was being conducted.
The weayers object 10 testifying here
and having their testimony taken by a
stenographer and then being cross-oues-
toned by the attorney for the manufac-
turers," said he, "and having no chance
to hear the treasurers' side OF the case"
Senator Leach fastened to assure him
that he was I'm error. THE manufac-
urers Will testify later" said the chair
man, and you can ask them questions.
lust now tkey are represented by coun-
tel."
Well i suppose we might stay away
ana let our counsel present our side OF
the case" retorted Mr.. Cunnane, "and
then only two men would need to be
present"
Mr.. Cunnane and the delegation of
weavers withdrew. and they will prob
ably not appear before the committee
antil after the manufacturers have tes-
titled. Their position is that, SO long
ss the manufacturers made the reduc-
ton and took the step which resulted
In the strike. ii is to them that the com
mittee should first go for information
as to the cause and not ask the oper-