Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-27
GIRLS RESUME WORK
Over Half Of the WhiHock Opera
tves Returnto Their Places.
THE LEADERS STILL HOPEFUL
They Hope to Induce Many 10
Come Out Again.
LABOR LEADERS QUITE ACTIVE.
A Conference with the strikers Held
Last Night and Nass-Meeting TO
BE Held ut Old Market Hall This
Evening-Tbe Situation.
LABOR LEADERS QUITE ACTIVE.

The management OF the Whtlock che
roOt-factory think the strike is broken. II
was stated by Mr.. Philip Whitlock, the
manager at the office yesterday after
noon that upwards OF 500 girls were at
work.
Tho leaders of the strike say they have
not given up the fight, and that they are
yet hopeful. They strenuously insist that
there are as many girls idle as working.
The labor leaders are urging the strikers
to remain out and insist upon their de-
mands.
The foregoing describes the strike sit
uation. The statements rs to the condi-
tons vary with the viewpoint.
Mr. Whtlock expressed the confident
belief yesterday that the number work.
ing would be largely increased to-day.
While he took back many Of the strikers
yesterday. putting them to work at once,
he stated that many of the girls did not
so to work, owing to the fact that they
had not brought their lunches. These
promised that they would return 20 work
this morning. Mr.. Whitlock expects them
TO do So He expects many who did not
see him yesterday to come to-day to so
TO work.
The strike leaders have not given up
hope of organizing a union. They are re-
ceiving the support of the labor unionists
of the city. Whether they will be sue
cessfu remains to be seen. AS an old
labor man said last night: IF IL were
men we had TO deal with 1 could make a
prediction; but l cannot tell how the
girls are going to hold out. They may
stand like rock. or they may give in.
Some, 1 know, will hold out"
A MEETING LAST NIGHT.
A meeting of the strikers and labor
union men was held at Monticello Hall
last night for the purpose Of considering
the question OF organizing union. III
had been published yesterday afternoon
that there would be a meeting of the
strikers at Blandon Park, but the state
ment was erroneous. When the hour for
the meeting at the hall came around and
passed the crowd was not so large as
ives desired, and the girls, as well as the
men present. were of opinion that num-
bers of the strikers had gone to the park
under a misapprehenson. Three Of the
girls. and az many men, went out TO the
park. hut did not bring nany back with
them when they returned at 10 o'clock.
The meeting was secret The hall was
nearly full, but when those not in SYM
patty with the strike. or not union men,
were requested to leave The hall many
retired
| Ii was after II o'clock when the meet
| ing adjourned. 1t was stated that there
was no definite outcome of the meeting.
save a decision 10 hold another meeting
at Old-Market Hall at o'clock tonight
4 committee was appointed to look after
| the meetng-place, and another commit
tee was appointed to raise funds. Both
committees, as we'll as all present. ore
! understood to be missionaries for the
purpose Of working upon the strikers 10
| induce them to stand firm, and to do all
possible 10 persuade the girls who ave
returned to work, or have never quit, -
come out
| COIrNSELLED TO STAND FIRM.
There were a number of speeches made
| cOunselling the girls to stand firm. and
rledging them the support OF the unions
! financial as well as moral. one OF the
! girls. who Is recognized as leader oil
the strike also spoke with a great dea
! Of earnestness. She declared she could
not be induced TO return. save by com
! pllance with the demands made when the
strike was inaugurated.
Previous to the meeting she expressed
to a Dispatch writer similar views Il
am determined never 10 give In unless
we get what we struck for" she said.
1.-THE public of Richmond is against us
know, but that makes no difference.
know we are right. | am going 10 mold
| on. and hold out"
The leadership of the girl who was
speaking Is never questioned by the
strikers. She is a small woman, but she
seems full Of energy, evidenced by her
quick movements, rapid speech, and fash
ing eyes She seems TO know she Is a
leader. The men, as well as the girls,
never question IL. She ~ very much III
earnest. All who attended last nights
meeting expressed as much determination
as she. but did not express it so well.
The labor unionists say they are con-
fdent OF the strike being prolonged They
assure the girls that they will be main
tanned while they are idle. Formal action
Of the unions has not yet been taken. The
question viii be brought up AT the meeting
of the various unions as they occur pro-
vided the strike be not ended at once.
TAKING THE GIRLS BACK.
Mr.. Whitlock is taking back all the
girls who apply. There are not over q
dozen whom we will not re-employ," ht
said yesterday. About that number
seems to have led the girls. We Will
not take them back. We do not wish
further troubles The best way TO avoid
1t is to keep them out OF the factory
do not think there will be any difficulty
in the future. / may say, also, that !
do not think there would have been any
in the past had the girls been let alone
Outside influence was brought 10 bear
upon them. The girls. when they re-
allied what striking meant at least the
majority of them wished 10 go TO work
again. They knew they were well treated
and well paid. / have always done the
very best for them could. | have giver
them tile best wages possible; / have
looked after their comfort while working
| have done them justice IN every way
| liked them: / thought they liked me
and | believe they do, in spite OF the
strike. They were led away by agita-
tors"
Mr.. whitlock stated that many OF the
girls who returned TO work came and
personally asked his pardon.
LEADERS HAVE NOT ASKED.