The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-27
Lowell Operatives OseIds 10
Quit Work Next Monday.
FINAL ACTION UNANIMOUS,
Tea Per Cent Advance In Wages Must b
Granted or the Workers viii Not Re-
turn After Shut Down on SATURDAY

Lowell, Mass, March 27.-The 56 dele
gates TO the meeting of the Textile coun-
Gil In Odd Fellows hall last evening voted
70 go out on strike next Monday morning
unless the mill authorities in the mean
timc concede the operatives demand for
a ten per cent raise In wages.
The delegates present represented nine
unions and determined TO stand by the
demand for the ten per cent increase.
The details of the conference between
Messrs Rafferty, and Ashton, president and
secretary of the Textile council, Joseph
Convrey OF the Trades and Labor council
and Agents Nourse and Southwick OF the
Lawrence ana Massachusetts corpora
tions, at Mayor Dimon's house. we're
given, but II did not affect the feelings
OF the meeting.
The personal appeal OF May-r Dimon
was duly introduced by the president. but
did not serve 10 change the sentiment of
the delegates.
The Mails petition, signed by about
$50 prominent business men. beseeching
the Textile council and members OF the
subordinate unions TO delay action until
the good office OF a committee OF con-
ference is tried, was the only expression
offered that in any way induced the dele
gates to reconsider their determination
TO strike.
The consideration of the committee pro-
logged the meeting for at least one hour,
and when the motion 10 go out on strike
March 81 was made, delegates friendly TO
the petition offered an amendment that
action be delayed until April Z. The
amendment was defeated and the original
motion To go out on Monday morning was
unanimously voted.
President Rafferty, announced that he
and other officers had been interviewed
by the state board OF arbitration, but
his relation TO the interview had no ef-
feet except TO bring about the appoint
ment OF a committee, such committee to
hold itself in readiness for any confer
ences that may be requested by the mill
authorities.
The board asked that no rash action
be taken at the meeting and requested
the appointment of conference COM
mittee.
The sentiment OF the meeting taken
before the vote was TO strike, the time
OF strike to be left to the discretion OF
| the council.
The meeting lasted from o'clock TIL
midnight Joseph Convrey of the Trades
| and Labor council was admitted early
I, i'm the meeting TO explain the nature OF
| the interview at Mayor Dimons house
| He said that the mill agents present said
| that they could not see their way clear
not consider the demand just one.
A motion 10 ask for the aid and sane
ton of the United Textile workers was
unanimously voted.
The United Textile workers include all
the organized textile workers in the
United States.
recess was taken for the purpose Of
ascertaining the legally authorized dele
gates present, and when the body reas-
sembled the following conference COM
mittee was appointed: Robert Convrey OF
the Beamers; Patrick Sheridan, of the
Nappers; ID. j. Morrow. of the Loom
| fixers: Michael Dugan, OF the Mule Spin
ners, and j. T.. McDonough, of the Weav-
ers.
President Rafferty, and Secretary Ash
| ton were also appointed on the commit
tee
There was no excitement i'm or about the
| hall. before, during or after the meeting
1--WE will quit work at noon Saturday,
! said one OF the operatives, "and will not
| go back until the mill barons grant oui
! demand.
1--WE have well-filed treasury, and we
| are sure OF the support OF the national
| body. You should have heard the senti'
ments expressed at the meeting this even.
| ing. There was no tagging back in the de-
| sire for a strike. The Malls petition was
| the only expression presented that was
| in any way considered.
81 am glad IL is all over, and we fee
| sure that we can make the mill agents
| tired"
President Rafferty, said that the express
! sions by the speakers were cool. but de-
| termined He hopes that the mill agents
1 will see their way clear to allow the ter
| per cent raise before the mills close nj
noon. Saturday.