Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-09

day had not been successful in inaugu-
rating a strike.
The walking delegates have been at
work in Vassalboro. Fairfield and
Skowhegap. In Nassalboro they found
the ground pretty dry and stony for
strike seeds. The conditions are pecu-
liar there The majority of the en-
plcyes of the mill are family help and
permanent residents of the town. The
mil is practically the only industry Of
the place ana tho fate of the town is
bound 10 IN the fate OF the mill The
employees, therefore did not take VefN
kindly TO the strike idea. They are sat
isfied with the wages paid and do NOT
have a very lively interest in the fights
and disputes of fellow Workmen IN
other parts of New England. Then The
influence of the mill authorities is very
great in the town. In short, the COM
pany held all the trumps there and the
game was easy for it from the start
In SkoVhpgau there are conditions
peculiar to that town. IL looks as If
theye We're more favorable to the strike
than in VassalGoro. The mill is only
on the industries Of the place and does
not have the influence possessed by the
| Vassalboro mill In Fairfield the local
| conditions, which have been described,
we're more faVCra BILE to the walking
| delegates and as the results prove it
| was herr. that the strikers have scored
their first success. Skowhesan viii
doubtless be the next point Of attack.
! The Fairfield strike is L part Of the
general fight being Waged on the COM
pany. peculiar local conditions adding
an advantage.
Now in regard to the result Of the
strike" said 4 representative of The
! American Wooden Co. to the Journal
| the flag Of no compromise is up and IT
will fly to the end This is the posi-
ton Of the company in a nut shell. 1t
| will make no concessions here in Fair
| field that have not been made in other
places. This is Simply one point Of at
tack ana the fight will be Waged here
Just as it is in Rhode Island. Local
| conditions will be considered in the
light OF their effect on the general situ-
alton. The Fairfield mill is but one
among many and will have TO take its
share with all the others. The mill is
not particular favorite With the COM
pany. but it Will be treated just like
the others.
1t is understood that the strikers
have been given Intil Monday to come
back and go To work. After that tim"
the company VIII be III the fight for
keeps and will show no more quarter
here than it has III other places.
From what can be learned of the
condition Of the strikers it does not
seem that they are in 4 position for 2
determined fight. AS already stated
| the company claims that the majority
are OF Il class that have not vital in
terest i'll the result Of the strike. The
claim that it is looked upon by many.
especially the younger men, rs q great
/ lark and they welcome the holiday af-
| fordcd. The company does not expect
this sentiment to be long lived. When
the pressure, Of which it is capable, is
brought to bear it is believed the
strikers viii look at the matter in q
different light and will be more willing
to reason the matter out
The company claims that the major
ity are only partially Informed as tC
the points at issue and that they are
| simply following the leaders. These
are known to the company and they
are blamed for the strike. An attempt
was being made, Thursday forenoon.
by some Of the strikers to get the men
together for a vote on the question Of
staying out or going back, but up to
| noon il had not been successful. 1t is
| believed that if all the men could be
gotten together to talk the matter over
calmly and to take a vote calmly It
would be in favor of returning to work
at once. There is an element among
the strikers in favor of this action and
this element may prevail and prevent
serious trouble.