Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-29
NEW BEDFORD MEN WIN.
Mills Grant Advance, Though Claim
Conditions Do Not Warrant II,

New Bedford, Mass, March 2S.-The
mill operatives in this city have been
granted an advance of 10 per cent. in
wages. the. advance to take effect Mon
day, April Z. This was the result of the
conference, this afternoon between the
Manufacturers Association and 10 MEM
bers Of the New Bedford Textile COun-
Gil, which had made demand of a 10
per cent. advance in wages The confer
ence was entirely harmonious and every
mill in the city was represented.
At the outset the manufacturers made
a statement. saying the mills of this city
and of the Northern states generally are
paying on as high a plane as at any
time during the last 20 years, and, they
believe, as ever before.
They claimed the individual earnings
are higher than ever before in this city
and the modern machinery. stock used
(Which is of the best, tended to make
the work easier and the pay better. The
mills, they said must get some extra re-
turn for this outlay, or they will not in
future have either the inclination or the
ability to keep up their present condition.
Continuing, the statements say:
New Bedford. in the last two years.
has paid higher wages to its workers
than paid elsewhere, and has been en-
couragcd to spend large amounts to i'm
prove its plants by reason of its position
as leading in the lines which it manu-
features and it's policy of continually
looking forward, for what the market
will require where the competition will be
the least. =
Labor now asks for an advance, which
we believe is less justified by conditions
than any made in the past. We are find
ing competition sharper from outside,
where labor is paid much lower than here.
The margin of profit is being cut down.
and on the average yarn spun here and
woven into our standard lines of cloth,
is nothing like as good as year ago on
the present cost of cotton and labor
The statement said the position of the
yasl Xv.,,.- iS
keeping up a constant agitation for a
standard list. which they think should
cease. In conclusion the mill men said:
LAS regards the cloth mills, We feel as
the 10 per cent. advance has been given
in our neighooring city like advance
should be given here, as has been our
/ custom; although, as above stated the
conditions of margin do not warrant such
advance with the contracts on which we
are employed and which in most cases
continue for several months We have
called you here and given you our views.
with the idea of arriving at a proper
date for the advance to go into effect
After a full discussion it was mutually
agreed between the manufacturers and
members of the Textile Council that the
advance shall go into effect, April Z, and
in the future not less than three weeks
notice be given in case of any change in
wages.
The advance as above stated does not
affect the mills of the New England Cot
ton Yarn Co, applying only to the cot
ton mills of the city. Another confer
ence will be held, tomorrow, about the
demand for an advance in the parn mills.
Providence, r. L., March 2S.-It is be-
lieved that the advance given the New
in this state being compelled to do like
wise,