The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-10
HAW RIVER STRIKE
The Weayers in One Room
Only Struck
So D .cIares the Union. Then All the Mills
Were Shut Down. Statement Of the
Labor Committee.

To the Editor: The labor union begs
leave to correct, through your columns,
some misstatements which came out III
the Morning Post on October 9Th in re-
gard to the strike at Haw River. The
cause of the strike as stated by the Post
is entirely false. Not the superintendent
but a boss weaver, who has been con-
demned for several weeks for unjust
treatment of his help was the only one
desired to be removed. This being the
case. and the trouble referred to arising
between the girl weaver and oVerseer,
led tn some rough statements about the
union. so the question came up in the
naxt regular meeting, and not called
meeting. as was said, as to the treatment
of help under the above mentioned boss.
The union, as whole, was not in favor
of making a strike and only the weavers,
and many of them non union help, OF the
Thomas M. Holt Manufacturing Company,
had a request to make Of the company.
Therefore q committee was appointed to
see them about the matter. Word was
conveyed to the mill owners, asking
recognition. This was refused in rather
a slack manner, and up to this time no
demands have been made at the office.
All actions on the part of the company
have been made by hearsay, and not
through direct communication from the
union. Recognition being denied, the
weavers in the above mentioned mill went
to work on Tuesday morning, but did
not start their looms. When asked the
reason, the superintendent was told that
unless this particular boss weaver be
removed they would not work. The
superintendent informed them that those
who would not work under May (the boss
weaver) must get out of the mill. Only
about fifteen employees remained in the
room This was all the striking done
at Haw River The mill owners, on hear
ing of the action taken by both union
and union hands in this one room. at
once ordered all the mills shut down.
This action threw out of employment
about 800 non union hands, as there We're
only 800 or less members of the union
here. Since then many, through sym
rathy, have joined the union.
1t was also stated in the Post that the
union was organized by Rev. Austin
eomirg Fcre after the trouble in the
West Durham mill. The union has been
in existence here five months. and the
one in Graham had many members from
this place the latter part of last year,
and those members organized the union
here.
AS to the union taking part in politics,
as quoted by the Post from the Green's
boro Telegram" the union will not recog-
nize political discussion, as was proven
in several instances before the August
elections, there being politicians who
sought recognition in the union, and this
was denied them, the union knowing that
no easier way could be sought by its
enemies to disrupt it than to get it
involved in politics.
AS to peace and harmony prevailing
between employers and employees in our
village until the organization of a union,
it is not true, as can be proven by the
resident citizen.
Is it right that mill owners shall or
ganizc, meet together, fix prices on their
yarns, their loom product, and regulate
wages, and then say to the laborer ''You
take what we give you, do what we tell
you, and say nothing?"
Be it understood to all people, that the
Union of Textile Workers do not intend
to make unreasonable demands and re-
greet all errors.
e, BRITT,
JAMES NEEDHAM,