Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-25
VERY HOPEFUL
Are the Cotton Workers tor
Restoration Of Wages.
advance in Price Of Print Cloth and
Firmness Of Market
Point 10 Favorable Action II the Conference
10 be Held, Monday.

Boston, Feb. 24.-tSpeciaD.-A re-
suit of the activity in the print cloth
and cotton markets for the past sew
eral months and the lately developed
agitation among the textile workers for
"a restora ton of the schedule of wages
that was in vogue up to the time of the
wholesale reduction in wages, from
present indications will result in a vic
tory for the mill workers in all sec
lions of New England. The final de-
t.ision probably will he reached at the
Joint meeting next Monday, when rep
resentatives Of the various mill cOrpO-
rations in Fall River will confer with
representatives of the local Textile
Council.
Early in the fall of 1898, combina-
aion was entered into by the print
cloth manufacturers in Fall River, the
centre of production of this grade Of
goods, and the famous curtailment
agreement was put into operation and
proved most successful. goods of this
description having steadily increased
in price from a basis of less than 2
SCulS oitil tuC PiCoGul lAhiC lhC ~ ~
Is firm at 2N. 1t is because of this ad
vance that the present demand for an
increase in wages was made.
Some II years ago sliding scale"
of wages was adopted by the Manu-
faeturers' Assertion and the Mule
Spinners' Union. The understanding
was that it would slide down or up
when the conditions therein We're
reached. 1t was scale made with the
mule spinners alone, they. at that time.
being the leaders of all labor move
ments.
clause in the agreement stipulated
that 30 days notice should be given
by either party before the agreement
could be broken. This worked well for
time, or as long as the market con-
tinued active, and good prices and
wages prevailed. Then came a re-
action. Prices slumped. the market
became choked and when the manu-
facturers proposed reduction, accord
ing to the scale as adopted, the spin
ners. ignoring the 30 days notice clause.
repIdiated the agreement. Thus the
hoped for results We're not realized.
The manufacturers again propose to
make such an agreement, this time,
however, that it shall be general in
Guiding every branch of the various
organizations of the textile workers.
by so doing it is hoped that a repeti-
ton of the former experiment will be
avoided.
If the proposed scale is accepted. as
1t undoubtedly will be. many of the
towns in New England where the man
ufacture of cotton cloth is the leading
industry, will be greatly benefited.
Wages in these cities are regulated by
those paid in the great cities. and if
Fail River manufacturers make an in
crease, those in Maine will be affected
in a similar manner.
With the former scale restored the
city of Augusta would be benefited
thereby $500 per month, which follow
ing three or four years of depression,
would be widespread in it's benefit.
That the advance is assured is evil
denccd by the resolutions adopted by the
manufacturers when the communication
from the Textile Council asking for an
advance in wages was presented and dis
cussed The resolution presented and
unanimously discussed is as follows:
Resolved. That frequent agitation over
w IhNStlpii vi wages Is exceedingly OcI-
rimental to the community and menace
70 the stability of our industry AT such
times buyers avoid so far as possible
placing contracts for goods in this city
thereby injuring our market to the bene-
~ OF other and competing mills. 1t is
therefore the sentiment of the associa-
non that some means he devised whereby
these threatened disturbances NAV be
avoided. II possible. With this end in
view, II IS voted that a committee be an
pointed from this association to confer
with the representatives of the labor or
CARNATIONS to discuss their request for
an increase in wages. and with power ia
enter into some agreement establishing
AN equitable basis by which wages ma \
he adjusted to the conditions of the mar.
kct. without prolonged agitation ar
threatened conflict between employer and
= employed
After the adoption of this resolution
the executive committee of the associa
ton together with such men as the com
mittee may select. were appointed +,
form the committee to meet and discus,
plans with the members of the Textil,
Council.
Next Monday, Feb. q, has been decide.
upon as the date for the all-imnortan
conference. and while the result is no
for moment in doubt by those inter
ested in the movement. vet much anxiet,
Is shown that this question which ha
been a bone of contention for so man,
years. may finally be amicably adjusted.