Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-02
FORCED TO DO IT.
Fall River Operatives Granted
10 Per Cent. Dec. Il.
Mill Owners Forced into It by N.
c. D. Borden's Action.
Very Bitter Against Him. Claiming Rank
Treachery on His Part.

| increase the pay rolls by 10 per cent.
and TO pledge their efforts in behalf Of
a sliding scale in the hope of effectu-
ally checking any labor troubles in the
future. Nonight, with the entire body
of textile workers'of this city in favor
of the proposition, four of the five
unions, representing membership of
10000, voted unanimously to accept
what their employers offer. The
agreement, today, followed the
voluntary increase made by Mr.
Borden of the Fall River Iron
works. and its effect is far reach
ing. Not the least important part of
the agreement is the clause which calls
for the adoption of a sliding scale as a
means to equitably readjust the pay
roll which the conditions will make
necessary from time to time.
| Fall River, Dec. 1.-The move of NJ.
G. ID. Borden, president of the Iron
Works Co. in this city in voluntarily
giving his help an advance of 10 per
! cent. forced the hand of the Manu-
| facturers Association and at the con-
clusion of a conference this afternoon,
| between the five secretaries of the
| labor unions in the Textile Council and
| the special committee of the manu-
| facturcrs it was announced that the
| entire body of mill operative in Fall
River would be given an increase in
wages of 10 per cent, beginning Mon
| day Dec. II, one week later than the
date at which the Iron Works opera
| tives will receive the full advance. The
following agreement was adopted JUST
| prior ia The adjournment of the con
ference:
IT Is agreed I" recommend 70 our
respective organizations an ADVANCE 81
10 per cent on Dec. IL, lH''' no
chah3e III Wahes Thereafter "cloi 'uiS
l. i'''' anu 81. 9'''''s ..,sa ,,.i,,,
~ ro ,','. -. 49, nj ,ooo
| ~ I., r,,o..
- ~, ,,r,
| hit'h'au' "edN =
| n'h' SUM, I'M. ~ ''-f' .,,
iN',
~, e.,..,. ,,.,.. ,,,,,, IL. 49,.
.,
| members oi 'iic Sf''lhi MANI "'
| committee ana was beSun ShorliH al
| ter noon in the rooms of the Mill Men
| ,senciation The president Simeon l..
| Chase onep.d the meeting by stating
that ,hc manufacturers had come to
the conclusion that in view Of the fact
that the print cloth market was az
vancinG and showing signs OF an even
hrmer tone mat raiSe III WdS's ~
10 per cent. could be given the opera
tivcS at the original date set Tor the .
per cent. advance to go into effect
They asked the members of the coun-
Gil to stand by the original agreement
made one week ago, SUBSTITUTING hoM
ever the "oruS ~ pel II III
IL ra,,,,..e, ,,.h;Io III. u.i,,ino
III, ,,a..,,a,, par1an,. e+anI
~ "''''t' '''' 80
upon .iic VAS t"'9'''i
their mana, auillltteu thdt the! "cie
disappointed at his action. They felt
that he had not treated them justly.
They had authentic information. few
weeks ago when the agitation for an
increase was begun that Mr.. Borden
was opposed to the advance and would
fight against granting 1t. on the
strength Of this the manufacturers
committee said they sold 100000 flu
lures to next March at figure that
ana not cohslder any auEa a.,, III n!5'aei
-, es;,'N q. ~ o,oroti,.as mar cont ad-
A. ~ n pordo,, u.os ranortad
'"i,' ~ ,,..., !,
as DelhS WIN t''e ul"' ~ 81 II
Sociatlon IN Whatever actioh the! tooh'
The manufacturers feel that they nave
been made dupes of and the loser IN
every way by what they term 'he
'treacherous action OF Matt Borden
Ihe meeting OF the ieAtiie 'oui''i'
! t"iSiueieu 'hV ic" my VI IN
ufacturers ana ilnally came 10 inc
conclusion that they would accept II
and refer it to the mass meetings OF
the unions. tonight
This afternoon. print cloths We're ad-
vanced a quarter of a cent and at that
figure the manufacturers say they can
afford the full increase in wages. Com
menting on the situation. this evening.
a manufacturer who did not hesitate
to express himself very freely. sad:
M. c. ID. Borden IS the greatest
labor union the operatives OF ran
river coui' h"Ne a.',,