The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-04

firmness and determination at the criti-
cal moment of weaver, one of the
strikers, whose name is James H. En-
mis-.
The causes of the strike were var
ious. Some of them were told in The
Spy this morning in story when 1ofe-
Swallowed the strike.
But the primary reason was not
known to anybody except the strikers
although that reason was also In The
Spy. An item in The Spy said that
Overseer James Pickens had got
through. He was oVerseer Of No.
mill. Two hundred operatives-nen
and women-struck work because ME-
Piokens got through.
But there were other reasons. Ihe
weavers were displeased with the UeW
schedule. 1t raised their pay near I
per cent. They thought the raise not
enough. A story was started In the mill
that the weavers were to run SIX looms
each, instead Of five looms. All these
things, together with an agitation con-
Quoted by a few weaVers who have
learned, under other employers, to be-
lieve a strike on general principles bet
ter than no strike at all, made the trou-
BILE.
The operatives spent Sunday talking
1t overBut there was not, 1t is thought
any particular agreement among them
to strike when they came in at $50
this morning. At first most of the
looms were started Then girl
stopped her loom. Then all the looms
were stopped.
At o'clock business was dead in mill
No 9 The operatives talked in little
groups until Superintendent John a:
McLoon appeared. Mr. McLoon talked
the situation over with the people
Men and girls crowded about him to de-
1nand the reinstatement of Overseer
PIckens Mr. McLoon tried to get the
operatives to go back to their looms.
He would then talk matters over with
committee.
Some of the men We're willing, but
the women-and they were nearly two
thirds of the strikers-would not. IL
was Overseer Pickens for them or no
work.
A committee was organized to see
Agent Richardson. The committee was
headed by Second Overseer John Har-
mes, Second Overseer Jesse Bardsley,
James Coy, Billie Coones and August
HeFrimitzer accompanied Mr. Humes.
The committee met the agent at his
Office.
Mr.. Humes stated the desire Of the
operatives that Pickens should be re-
employed. The operatives wanted their
agent to get him to come back.
II can't go to him." replied Mr.. Ri
chardson. Il will be glad to see nm
If he cares to come here"
He left of his own accord" cOntinu-
ed Mr. Richardson. Il wasn't in the
mill when it happened but it was by
his own act that he left"
The committee reported to the opera
tlves.
Then the word was passed along:
I'VE want more pay. Let's go out any
how"
A voice said: mo six looms here"
One girl influenced a number Of 9th
er girls with the remark, "It's such 9
beautiful day, we ought not to work
anyhow" At any rate 1t was now near
ly 8 O'Clock. The operatives left theil
looms and the mill There was no VIC
lence and no display of i'll temper. The
thing was done In a thoroughly gooc
natured way as IL it were a sort Of hol
tday sport rather than a transaction
filled with threat to the Industrial anc
commercial life of the town.
The strikers went directly to theil
homes, or at least from the neighbor-
hood Of the mill. 1t was not considered
necessary to send so much as a police
man to the spot.
About 10 o'clock former Ovsrseer Pic
kens came around. He saw what strik
ers he could and explained to them al
mat he would not go back to work un'
der any circumstances. He advised tbs
strikers TO return to work at noon
About 80 took his advice.
Here was where James H. Ennis go'