The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-19
A BOYCOTT
Is Suggested at
Marlboro.
A PROPOSED UNION.
New Party Candidate and
Press Statement.

Marlboro Nov. 1S.-"Let 'em bring
outside labor in here and see how quick
the fun will begin" said one of the
strikers in conversation with The Spy
man this afternoon. In this remark
the speaker only voiced the feeling of
every man in the ranks of the strikers
and those who believe that Marlboro's
present strike is to be of short dura-
ton, are in a dream from which there
must sooner or later be a rude awal5-
ening.
There's where they FOOL themselves"
said Agent Murray in speaking of
those persons who believe that the
strikers are not as much in earnest as
they claim to be. Our people have
conducted themselves perfectly.
don't know of a strike where there has
been such good order maintained as
there has been so far in this one. But
because there has been no lawlessness
or violence, does not imply that our
people are not in earnest in this mat
ter"
The most defiant of the three compa-
MES concerned in the strike is the Rice
& Hutchins company and their super
leader in the manufacturers fight. The
Rice & Hutchins company has factories
outside of Marlboro, having several in
Brockton and other places. For this
reason they have in the past been able
to be more rigid toward the strikers
than the other local companies have
been. This policy on the part of the
company has been pursued thus far in
the present strike. Their attitude has
fl,.of 81 4
ers. but of the labor leaders in this city
and vicinity, and as a result it is very
probable that a boycott will be placed
upon the product Of the three compa-
MES involved in the strike Agent
Murray, when asked about the matter
today made no definite statement, but
intimated that some action of this sort
would not be outside the range of pos
sibility in the near future unless mat
ters took a different turn.
I'VE love this city" said Mr.. Muir
ray, and he added significantly, eve
do not want to see any misfortune be-
fall it, but we are bound to maintain
our rights"
When asked if the placing of boy
colt would not seriously affect the Rice
& Hutchins Company, Mr., Murray re-
piled, Eyes, it would affect them badly
as it would apply to all the product Of
InelF OUTSIDE factories.
One Of the strikers, speaking of the
attitude of the manufacturers today,
said: well the strikers have one last
resort. 1t can be used in an emergen-
cy, although they hate to do So When
asked if he referred to the boycott, he
simply shrugged his shoulders and re-
marked, TIN not saying what 1t is"
Action is now being taken in another
direction on the part of the strike load
ers which will doubtless result in Sc
rious blow at the stronghold of the
manufacturers and especially at the
Rice & Hutchins factory. Since the
strike was ordered, in alf>bMt the Howe
factories steam has been kept up and
the engines and some of the machines
have been kept daily in operation in
bluff at getting out shoes. A neces-
sary adjunct to the working force Of
every shoe shop is a corps of machin-
lists. These men did not go out with
the strikers. as they have never had
an organized union and so could not
be called out in connection with the
present trouble.
Steps are now being taken to organ
ize a machinists' union, and it is very
probable that as soon as they are or
ganized they will be called out. The
work of gripping the big shops will
then be completed, and Rice & Hutch
ms, against whom the strikers are
now directing the greater part of their
energies, between the boycott and the
new union, will be practically at the
mercy of the strikers 1t is believed
that a strong union can be organized
among the machinists and engineers.
although it will necessarily be a small
one, as the number of these men in
each shop is, of course, limited.
Il,
strikers, and they are receiving assist
ance from all quarters, Many of the
local groeers and meat dealers have
offered discounts to their customers
during the strike. The names of these
men are suppressed, because the pub
LEGATION of them might affect their
business in the future.
Goggin, the druggist, has a sign in
his window announcing a reduction in
the price of novels to two cents to,
strikers, and a local piano dealer don
ated today the use Of a piano to the
lasters during the strike.
Agent P. j. Byrne, who has the picket
system in charge. was busy man to-
day The system as now established
is perfect one, and not stranger
can come into town but his identity
ana the object of his visit is known at
labor headquarters in an incredibly
short time.
Agent Dorsey Of the Lasters Union
is also kept busy with outside work,
good share Of the time. No outsiders
came inro town today. Three of the
stitchers who have been employed in
the Middlesex shop gave up their work
and came out today, and the rest are
expected to follow their action soon
A meeting of Cutters Union was
held at 7.3O this evening, and in re-
Spouse to an invitation, number of
non-union men were present.
General President Tobin came over
from Hudson last evening, but left for
Boston early this morning.
The help were paid off at the ]. A.
Frye shop today
Mrs. Martha Moore Avery of socialist
labor party fame, called at labor head
quarters tonight, and asked for an OPP
portunity to address the strikers Her
request was taken under ADJUSTMENT.
A party of manufacturers and indie
pendents, composed of s. III. Howe
Louis Howe, Charles Curtis and E. l.
Sawyer was located by The Spy man
in the Union Club rooms this after
noon. S. H. Howe, as the spokesman
for the party, said that there was moth
ing new from the manufacturers
standpoint.