New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-16
THE PROPOSED STRIKE ~ COTTON MILLS.

| the PROPONED S1hIhE ~ vi w hiLbH'
The position OF the cotton workcrs in MasSa-
chusetts IS peculiar and lamentaba. Whether
their decision to undertake a general strike is
wise or not Il should not he hastily condemned
rs thoughlless and wholly foolish. Strikes have
been ordered often without reason or fair chance
Of success but the difficulties in this case are
such that it Is not easy to Judge what course
would be the wisest. A single fact. occurring
on the same day with the decision In favor OF
a strike throws much light upon the position.
The Massachusetts Cotton MIL Of Lowell held
its annual meeti1g and M the same time the
Massachusetts Cotton Mil IN Georgia also met.
and reports were presented to stockholders
which showed that the Lowell mill had suffered
from the depression OF prices below cost of pro-
durtiOn. while the plant In Georgia, making
similar goods and obtaining no better prices,
had obtained a fair profit. and 1t was resolved
that the directors be instructed to consider the
possibility of an extension of the business In
Georgia.
This Is only sample Of many instances IN
which Massachusetts owners, having become In
terested either as a corporation or ms ndyd-
uals, In Southern mills. have found that their
Southern properly doing better than their
property In Massachusetts. and have been in
duccd to extend their Southern investments
The cause Of this state Of things IS not found,
as many suppose, in the superiority Of loca-
ton, Of water power or fuel. An extensive
Investigation recently made by "The Journal Of
Commerce" brought out with surprising clear
ness the fact that the cost Of fuel. practical re-
suits considered, was not materially less AZ most
Southern than at Northern mills, nor were other
physical advantages important, but that the
main advantage at the Southern mills was in
freedom from legislative restriction as 10 hours
Of work and in abundance Of cheaper white
labor Instances were given Of Southern mills
running so largely overtime. with compensation
for the extra hours. that extra shifts were or
ganlzed to divide and distribute the extra work
among those who desired 1t. But mill work
ing eighteen hours against another working nine
hours has IN enormous advantage
The cost Of excellent and willing white labor
in the Southern country districts, compared with
that obtained in Massachusetts, also makes n
great difference. varying widely in different 10
caties. OF course. but enough in most cases
according to the accounts given, TO turn the
scale between profit and loss. When these diff
ferences are considered, with the supply of
cotton close at hand and not dependent upon
be realized that capital and experience In North
ern States have had much reason FOR taking
large part in developing the industry in the
South. It IS In view Of these conditions that the
workers determined upon a strike which, on the
face OF things, might appear the worst course
possible for their interests. Necessarily Il must
divert larger demand from Northern 10 South
ern mills, making the latter relatively more
profitable. and thus increasing the tendency to
move southwark. The capital can move, and
can ship much Of the machinery. but the labor
cannot move. Yet the workers feel that the
only real remedy that is possible for the pres
ent overstocked condition Of the goods market
IS curta!lment OF production. Apparently
many OF the manufacturers have the same opin-
ion, but by outstanding contracts are involved
in serious loss II they Join In stoppage of
works. Whether many of them are in this posi-
ton or not. 1t seems to be generally believed
that nothing except an extensive curtailment
OF production can far clear the market that
a wholesome demand for goods VIII revive and
yet IT has not been found possible 10 secure the
consent of the owners TO a general suspension
Though stoppage must be in the end Injurious
both to owners and workers II Is not clear that
rs n measure Of present relief II may not be as |
good as any other. The overstockng OF the |
market with goods made from hgh-priced cot |
ton was a mistake and the restriction of the |
by laws rendering It less profitable |
employers nor employed can escape the conse-
quences Of mistakes.