The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-01

/ were satisfied, but the manufacturers
We're not They wanted 40 per cent
/ reduction. Later S. H. Howe represent
ing -FOUR factories requested 10 pei
cent reduction; he said he couldn't CON
tinue business without it.
Inc matter was voted upon by the
Shoe Workers Union. Clergymen and
business men told us We would ruin
Marlboro IL we did not acceed. Finsllv
we made a compromise Of a 5 per cent
reduction for one year, from MAY l,
1917, 10 May /, 1898. Mr.. Howe told me
at the time: You have done a good
thlng; you will get your old salary back
IN one year" In neither way has he
Kept his promise.
All went well until Nov. 10 when a
notice was posted in each of the facto-
| RES TO the effect that every workman
must sign an agreement to work for
one year at whatever price tl3e. g,oInpa-
ny desired TO pay, and 10 give three
weeks notice before quitting
We free Americans We're not to be
allowed to belong to trades unions.
What are We fighting for? Liberty!
The next move was to call in the
state police. Mr.. Chairman we claim
nat from the first of the strike up to
ne time when the police came to town.
lot one single stone was thrown. not
orc There had been no violence on
me part of the strikers, yet the manu-
tacturers had influence enough to in
duce the state TO send 81 policemen to
force US to go 10 work. But they have
not done it.
This strike is not a quection of wages
or hours, but is to determine whether
or not We can belong to trades unions.
we don't believe in rots. [ as leader
M0rlhn1sn IL
Favored peace and harmony But when
they tell us we cannot belong to labor
organizations, / say it is time to strike.
That is why we walked out OF the shops
Nov. IA, 1898
After Mr.. Murray had ceased speak
ing several members of the COMMITTEES
asked questions. Mr.. Kelley. in direct
examination, brought out the fact that
the strikers had always been in favor
of arbitration. Mr. Murray told of many
instances where difficulties had been
settled by arbitration. The matter of
the first strike in the factory of Rice e
Hutchins last August was gone into
detail
Mr.. Rice was accused by the mana
gers or having deceived the strikers. by
pretending fthat he was in Europe when
ne was in this country all the time.
Mr. Murray was asked by Represent
ative Cullinane of Lawrence if the
shoe workers ever offered to meet tbair
employers and talk the natfer oI,s,.
Mr.. Murray replied in the sff1rrtativa
Abo1t this time Mr.. Reilley. counsel
Tor the strikers prepared to leave for
Boston. He said that he had other
clients who must be protected. who
| hold their trust in him. He was called
| INTO the case about o'clock this after
| noon and could not be around in tho
morning. The committee I.a3ad ~ -
| they would adjourn until toT1or,,aI,,
morning.
The hearing is continued Mr. Toro.
counsel for the manufacturers stiIi
remains. Mr.. MURRAY continued a.
answered a number of questions which
did not differ materially from t1a ea,I,,
part of his testimony
| He was asked the question if II, ono
of the factories of the s IT How CT,
| COMPANY the eD1plovaes did no. 49,,
or threaten to leave the farFory, ~, ~
count Of the nresence of n6oN,,,,qo,,
workers He did not remember NE
| fact.
John +. Tobin. general president of
| the Boot and shoe yVorlra,,s, T-,,i,,
was the nov nerson 70 60 llIoii
! He told about ARRIVING in his citt, M
/ fore the operatives went an st,,il,o ITis
purpose in coming bara NO., - !Iif
| trouble which alwavs foIIop-e tbo % nosr
| ing of such notices in an1, live af 30;
ness He said nat he r,,et 6 IIon nuel
Howe and tail,ed tba =, me- oSI
three hours Tbis ,1aati,,a. 80 Wv CT loI
/ 49,, riatr,,. Us iIies'ihs was ol
refi,sed ~ ranado go, ~ NV N
rrobir a;d 49, ili, us itioI'' hi W
| lines i, +t1oso ,,otilo.. = DetM 9el tne
nnssthia fn, n,, 80. Viii ,.l,.I pe iii
r1eot a,,d ais "i, 'ouE u LINERS u
sbo,,Id liz ~ "i'o"S' WHAT thelr wages
'ii III +,,I ,t l,,,,e ,..,,.
III III ,uIu vi :. t DtieL IlieT T!I win Johh
a., epIesen;S rice * dulcmlns business
III inns Guy. theh Mr.. Iobin asked ii
SpLletnlnS cpulu nor De zone TO change
lIe eonuit'oPS ID these hotlces' the an
He further stated that the shoe work.
| and that this act of the manufacturers
| was a direct blow at the liberties If tbf
people The aqanta he s9id -, - Wy Wy
used Tho ,oiin,t ~ ~ t sou ia ilo
rs ~ ~ poiiNy vi ulc lion ana tha'
III lnelr inethouS they mad acted in {
conclhatory manner always advising
peace. If the shoe workers surrender
their organiza ton. they are ar ~
mercy az their en,,,1o,,ars, CT 'u'
For This reason Ia, , Iii l7,e,,