The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-15

Operatives ~ van River Rieassa with ths
Bestep Cenrerence's Decisien.

Operatives at Ean River Pleased with ths
Hesten Cenreresce's Decisiep.
FALL RIVER, Feb. 14.-Before the.cnd Of tho
week. the executive committees Of most Of the
labor unions Of tho city win have acted upon
the reports OF tho delegates who represented
them at the meeting of tho New England Tex
tile Union In Boston yesterday. At this meet
ing there were present forty.fivo delegates from
the leading manufacturing towns Of New Eng.
land, and IL was voted TO recommend o general
strike. II was pointed ont that whom q reduc-
tion Is general good results cannot DO obtained
by fighting Il In one city. In no city In this
section viii the action Of the meeting ind moro
favor than in Fall River. It is just what tho
unions in this city contemplated when they
voted to accept the reduction. Tho level-head'
cd ones realised that the poorly paid operatives
,ould offer little resistance In winter when every
cent they can mako Is required to nay their 40
tual living expenses. In warm wcntherSt costs
them little to live and they can go along very
we'll on small amounts. When tho reduction
was accepted operatives gave their condition
that another vote would be takon In the spring.
It is their desire to resist later II tho old scale 10
not restored. Consequently the action at Bos-
ton is no moro than o request to do just what
they decided upon nearly two months ago. The
situation is becoming grave once moro, and IL
is believed by all that the strike is coming and
that In this city. at least, It will be q hard light.
Tho unions have been preparing for II. For
had expended moro than strike and lockout
pay; All other benefits yyerc suspended;
i. the tSo o opfg prcpsr s me.S soins for !f sse G Tslief IN ne
Rlutted market, and thcy say that whether the
cnrtailment is brought about by a strike or vol.
ers. the result will be the same. namely, a bet
ter market and q good chance OF having wages
as the time ' for the the Beginning St MPlss 9 Of ! M the strike ts Is"''D
est In the matter. They 40 not look upon y as
the i4S.ooo operatives in New England into. 3
strike, and that the Rhode Island mon could
members might come out in full. but others
s ssoS , i5as the S,s seasfrI G Il san.sS ~ would : str Ss :
NEw BEproRD. Mass, FoS: i4;-The iieglsla.
ing, and will BEGIN its inquiry into the condi-
ton of the textile industry Tomorrow. Tho de-
general strike has resulted in q growing feeling
Of unrest among the operatives; There Is much
bitterness AGAINST Secretaries Ross of the spin.
ners and Hart OF the weavers.
operatives moved away from tho city as rapidly
ing to go within the next few days. Fos the
most part they are skilled hands, as competent
R fei IN fin Sisgr emylo nape 1e sIse t2s most N sHSSess,
made arrangements to sail for their former
homes. Tit, French Canadians are leaving the
city faster than ever. and a single train to-day
carried away twenty-five families. who shipped
their household effects O day or two ago.
application at tho headquarters of the weavers
for several hundred hands, promising 20 o week
to them while they are learning the work.
PROVIDENCE. H. l.. Feb. 14.-Tho action of the
Boston conference was u surprise to the opera
tives in this State. ASIDE from the spiDners there
is no organization anon i, the cotton mill opera.
tives in the State. and even the spinners arc not
thoroughly organized. 1t Is believed. however.
that II the spinners in some mills should decide
to go out, other operatives. would follow. Tho
operatives arc dissatisfied, but they realize that
they have little to gain and much to lose by
striking.
Tho recent reduction was resisted in only two
mills In the State. Ono Of these mills 10 ru n
ming, and the strike 9 realize that they are
beaten, and will probably return to work this
week.