The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-09
CLOSED BY STRIKE.
Eight Hnndred Operatives In Kiss'e
Atil Dceljne co Go To wOrk-The
Other Bik MILLS Follow Tuesday
Might.
(Specisl Dispatch TO the Journal }

Especial Dispatch 10 the Journal)
Augusta. Ca, April Tho strike In the
mills 10 on. The King mill operatives re-
ported for work tins morning aud their de-
inand for q 10 per cent increase not being
<rrn!sd they wslssd out tr, 10 body; ,., ,..,
advised by their officers, the operatives
quietly returned TO their homes.
Two detacb menB OF police had been sent 10
the King mill In care OF emergency. but they
Some Is or 30 hands remained at work, but
not enough To warrant running the mill, and
within . few minutes amer 10 O'clock this
morning the boil rang and the great mill was
closed.
TOE other Inllls are running. but unless
there 10 q resumption at the King mill gen.
crai lock out win begin tomorrow night.
There II no prospect of apy compromise and
every body realizes that a light 10 OH 10 be
fought 10 the bitter end.
Tue committee appointed by the president
" that body. TO confer with the mill opera.
lives failed TO accompl anything. a con
ferencs wex held between the COMMITTEES and
the operatives nj the Red Mems hall Satur
them that the mill authorities had consented
10 leave the matter 10 arbitration, and they
urged the operatives To defer the strike
week or ten days 10 allow this committee or
one chosen by the operatives. II they prefer.
red, TO 40 over the matter fully aud make It's
report II was represented 10 the operatives
that this could not weaken their case IL they
should feel compelled TO strike after such In.
vestigation aud report had been made, but on
the contrary. would strengthen them With
the public. II they had been ordered from
hradq quarters TO strike, they were urged TO
vire, stating the case and asking for instruo.
tons.
The proposition OF the committee. and the
argument OF tts various members urging tts
adoption. was patiently listened TO by the
operatives, who then went into executive ses
<i0n, aud later returned wri ten answer
uuder the seal OF the district council. THIS
vas 10 the effect that strike having been or.
effect Monday. this would have 10 tie done un.
'ess the demand OF the union WAS complied
With. A postpopement for any cause was
I'm poasib!e. a. other places were awaiting the
soi iiement OF this question here.
II was felt that not hing more could be done
10 avert the strike. There was n rush of non.
union members TO Join. Rs II wts gwen out
that only union members would share In the
| strike benefits. and until . late hour Satur
day night new members were received Int"
the textile union. aud old members rein.
| slated.
Yeslerday everything was quiet In the mill
district. Only n lew were there who cnuuse .
Cd against the strike, the majority feeling
| sure that tho light would he won. and 30 fa.
oring the strike action. and many Insisting
| that the mills were only blu ffing. and the de-
| mand would be granted before II should come
To, q strike. IL was agreed, though th' re
seemed ID be no leadsrship that the King mill
hands would 10 To- the miii at the usual hour.
and then. u their demand was MT gran ted 10
walk out In q body.
| Who v III be the strike leader? This ques
/ lion was often asked. but never answered.
Mr. Forrest Gay. tine able leader OF the last
strike, is nj present workiug In Phiiad.i phia-
| tie WAS written TO some time ago by bis
friepds, who begged him TO return nov and
again lead his people; but ne declined. HIS
bn,ther. simmons, who acted nm his leuien-
ant, and who L. still In Augusta, Also decltn-
ed. II Is stated that Secretary General Hio'