The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-18
UNION MAN DISCHARGED
This Precipitated the Strike, in Which
$50 Employees Joined.
so STRIKERS CLAIM, MILL MEN SAY 90
State Organizer and Lecturer Say the National
Union viii Stand by the Men State
ment by Mr.. Erwin. Special
Meeting of Union.
Especial to News and Observer


Especial to News and Observer
Durham, N. c., August 17-The much
talked of labor trouble in West Durham
eliminated in a strike this afternoon at
4;30 o'clock. The accounts vary as to the
number who shut down their looms and
walked out, the strikers saying that
there were about $50 IN the body, and the
mill people claiming that there were from
seyenty-five to ninety. The strike lead
ers say that there are 2O4 looms standing
idle, besides the work of the mill is Grip
pied throughout. On the other hand the
management of the mill claims that the
strike will not effect the working of the
| mill to any material extent, and that the
worl, will go on tomorrow as usual.
The strike was really premature, and
| unexpected by both the union men, and
the owners Of the mill. 1t came about
in this way: T. A. Allen, secretary of the
Union, went to one of sub bosses about
3:45 o'clock and told him he wanted to go
down street He was told that there was
no one to put in his place, and he would
have TO see the foreman of the depart
ment, He went anyway, going down
street to see Davis, the State organizer,
and Rev. j. F. Austin, State lecturer. who
were down at the hotel. When he re-
/ turned he was told That he had violated
one rule of the contract in leaving. and
that he could get his money. He went
to the office. and was paid Off A few
minutes later pandemonium broke loose
in the mill. 1t is claimed that Allen
went alongside the mill, and signaled
the men. Anyway the strike was on.
Men rushed from cne department TO an
other, calling on all to quit work. The
foremen claim that some were carried
from the building by force. and later re-
turned to their looms. The men were
soon pouring from the building cheering
and yelling. During the excitement one
young lady went into spasms, and was
carried home in a carriage. Once out OF
the mill the men soon became quiet, and
went to their homes. No violence was
attempted except in one case; Superin-
tendent Winslow tried to stop the rusE
through the mill, and he would have
been trampled down but for his timely
stepping to one side.
Few minutes after the strike Davis
and Austin were seen at the depot. They
said they had heard of the strike he
was surprise to them. They said they
did not not know particulars, but that the
men had cause. Continuing they said the
strike was not authorized but that the
National Union would stand by them.
They left for Haw River where they had
engagements to speak tonight. Just be-
fore stepping on the train Rev. Austin
said they regretted to leave, as they
wanted to "stay and see the fun"
Mr.. Erwin was seen tonight, and made
the following statement:
1--WE propose to run the mill and We
have enough hands left to run almost
full tomorrow. My impression is that all
of the Union men quit with exception of
twelve or fifteen. In ALL | think between
seventy-five and ninety went on strike,
which was without cause Many of our
best people have been outspoken in this
denunciation of strikes, and condemn
what was done. Several Union men say
they have became disgusted and will pull
out. In striking as they, they violated
the rules or contract and damaged me-
but l am ready to settle with them
now. We propose to run our mills in fu-
ture as has always been done in the
past and treat our hands the best we
know how as we have always done. We
will labor for their interest as we'll as
the interest of the mill There are about
700 hands in the mill now who are not
in the Union. This is a dull season for
our goods and we would really prefer to
shut down but in order to give employ
ment to our hands who have remained
faithful, we are going to run even if at a
loss"
A special meeting of the Union has
been called for II o'clock tonight, and it
is the opinion of many that others will
join the strike tomorrow.
The strike is undoubtedly due to a GER
tain extent to the lecture of Austin last
night Part of his lecture was very in
i1ammatory, and did not meet the appro-
val of the more conservative leaders in
the Union.
The following statement received over
the phone from Durham at a late hour
last night gives the cotton mill owners
side of the story:
Owing to the talk of foreign agitators
| who have come here in the interest of
the labor union, and especially the Rev.
| j. F. Austin's speech in the court house
| last night some trouble occurred at the
| Erwin Cotton Mills yesterday afternoon.
| r. A. Allen having violated the rules OF
| the factory by leaving without permission
/ of the boss, and being out in consulta-
tion with Messrs. Austin and Davis,
/ when he returned was refused admission