The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-09
Striking WeaverS Gather
at the Gate.
THEY H00TED AND KISSED
Twenty Weavers Now Operating
Seventy-Flve Looms.
NEW HELP MAY BE EMPLOYED.

The strike at the Lapham mill at Cen
trsvills assumed a new phase this morn
ing when Superintendent A Hen at
tempted TO start up the weaving depart
ment and the strikers for tho frat time
since the commencement OF the trouble
showed their teeth and attempted foroi-
bly, To prevent the mill from sta rting up
again before their demands were acceded
to by the ma napement.
Yesterday afternoon 1t was rumored in
the village that the mill would be star ted
up again this morning, and the opera
tives, with the exception uf the striking
weavsrs, were much pleased at the Iros-
pect of returning To work, but some OF
the strikers, who have evidently acquired
a case of big head since they quit work,
deciued that the mill should not be
started up without their consent, and
this morning for an hour before the time
for starting the machinery they gathered
in groups in the vicinity OF the mill and
awaited the coming Of those who were
tired of the strike and had decided 20 re-
turn to work.
There were several police officers in
attendance around the MILL ana as the
strikers commenced to gather they
watched them closely and were ready for
any demonstration (which they might
make against the operatives VINO wished
to enter the mill.
The mill bell was rung at the usual
hour and shortly before the time for
starting up the machinery few of the
weavers who had been notified of the in
tention of MIR. Allen, made their appear
ance and were alternately hooted at and
argued with by the strikers but without
effect, and when the machinery of the
weave shop was started eighteen weayers
were at their looms.
kSome Of tho rikers became boisterous
and were at once informed bv the officers
that they must keep quiet and not inter
fere with those who lwished 10 return 10
work or they would be given free ride
to East Greenwich. The determined front
of the officers and their evident intention
of keeping order had n quieting effect on
the more belligereDt strikers and at
o'clock about 20 weavers were ut work
and 20 looms in operation.
The strikers hung around in the vicinity
of the mill for some time and then dis
persed. Although they are very angry
with those who went TO work this morn
ing the other operatives who have been
thrown out of work by the strike are
much pleased and have little sympathy
for those who r, nained out and attempted
to deter the others from returning To
work.
At the ofiics of the mill this mornin q
looms in operation and expected TO have
more bv night. Two new weavers had
been hir,d at the mill. and unless the
strikers returned to work their places
would be filled by new hands. Of whom
there were IN any who were desirous of
going to,work ut the rev schedule. Now
that the weave shop has been started, II
will be Kept in operation and unless the
strikers return TO work at once their
places will be filed and they will be con- :
PEELED 10 vacate the tenements belonging
to the company.
The older employees Of the weaving de-
psrtment are heartily tired Of the strike
and are finding nucn fault with the
manner in which it has been managed.
They are more inclined TO side with
Mr.. Allen, who they bave known for
years. than with the strike leaders, with
whom they are not so we'll acquainted,
and whose ability they distrust.
The strikers will hold another meeting 2
this afternoon and it will in all probabil-
ity be one OF the most lively and in teresr
ing ones which they have yet held, as the
starting of the weave shop this morning
has caused awakening in their ranks,
and il will take but little TO cause n
rush among them TO Seturn to work at
any price.