The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-24
WAGE DEMAND
IS REFUSED.
LowaII Manufacturers viii Not
Advance Operatives Pay.
PREFER TO SHUT DOWN MILLS.
Question Of Strike 10 Be Considered at
Meeting Of The Textile C0uacIl Next
"Wednesday Evening.
PREFER TO SHUT DOWN MILLS.

Lowell, Mass, March 2L-LoweH Is
threatened with one OF the largest and
most disastrous strikes in It's history as
a result OF the communication sent 20 the
Textile union by the mill agents in reply
10 the official demand OF that body for
an increase in wages for the textile opera
tives OF the city.
The communication. which was re-
ceivcd By President Rafferty, Friday night
and the contents OF which has been kept
secret, was read at the meeting Of the
Textile council in Carders' and Pickers'
hall yesterday afternoon
"A positive, unconditional refusal OF the
demands of the operatives was the tenor
or the letter and as II was read to the
body there was an qminous silence
Nobody but President Rafferty, and
Secretary Ashton, not even the dele
gates 10 the council knew what the let
ter contained until It was publicly read
In the meeting, and so. although felt that
IL was uLnfavorable. the full weight of
the note did not fall upon them until the
president had ceased reading.
"A suggestion OF a compromise was the
least the operatives expected. but from
the determined stand OF their represen-
tatives i'm the Textil council it would
seem that unless their demands are ac-
ceded TO IL will be fight TO bitter
finish.
NOT A JOINT ANSWER
The communication from the mill men
Is not a joint note as was supposed
Each agent answers for himself. but the
language is identical. This proves be-
yond doubt that the note was framed
at meeting OF the mill officials
Several days ago IL will be remembered
that local mill man stated that the
demand of the Lowell operatives was
submitted to the treasurers of the various
corporations, and IL Il generally believed
that il was at a meeting OF these officials
In Boston Thursday night that the action
was taken that is expressed in the COM
munication to the Lowell Textile council
President Rafferty, refused To make any
comment upon the note 10 the newspaper,
men, preferrng TO wait until after the
next meeting of the council. which will
be held Wednesday night in Carders' and
Piclxers' hall
The note sent to the council is as fol-
lows:
Lowell. March o. 1902.
Gentlemen: Agents OF the cotton mills
in Lowell have carefully considered COM
munication received from you March IL.
containing demand of Lowell Textile
council that wages I'm said mills be adj
Vanced ten per cent March % The aver
age wages now paid are as high as they
have been ever before, even in the most
prosperous seasons.
The present cost of raw materials and
the prices which can be obtained from
the fabrics manufactured at Lowell are
such that we feel IL would be better To
close the mills than run with wages in
creased as demanded. Regretting the
necessity OF giving an unfavorable reply,
| remain yours.
Then are added the names of the mill
on their respective notes.
ACTION POSTPONED.
The demand OF the Lowell council was
TO have gone into effect this morning. ac-
cordlng TO their note To- the mill agents.
but on account of the delay in the reply
the various unions represented I'm the
central body have not had an opportunity
TO express their views on the new aspect
TO the situation. SO 1t has been decided
TO postpone final action until the meeting
Wednesday evening.
In the meantime special meetings OF the
the unions having Representatives I'm the
Textile council viii be held and vote
will be taken on the question OF n strike
There are ten unions represented In
the council. aggregating i6 delegates.
An informal vote was taken TO get the
sense of the meeting yesterday and II
is said that three-quarterS of the num-
Der present voted in favor of striking
and the remainder reserved their decision
for Wednesday night.
The first union included i'm the council
20 issue a call for special session TO
act upon the strike question was the
Cotton Spinners. one Of the strongest
textile unions in the state The meeting
will be held tonight at It's headquarers
The sentiment OF this union. as un-
officially expressed by the members,
seems 10 be favorable 10 a repudis ton
OF the communication from the mill
agents.
At a meeting Of the Trades and Labor
council yesterday the action OF the Tex
tile council was approved.
LOWELL LOOM FIXERS.
New Bedford. Mass. March 2L--At an
executive committee meeting OF the Ma
tional Loom FiXcrs' union. held IN this
city yesterday the principal business
Transacted was Co vote to authorize the
Loom FiNcrs' union of Lowcn - use it's
own discre tion In the matter of striking.
the demand for an increase OF wages I'm
that city having been refused by the
manufacturers.
A careful estimate OF the number Of
operatives who would be directly affected
by a general strike. such as proposed.