The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-19
ARE READY
TO RETURN
TO WORK
Lowell Textile Operatives viii.
Ing 10 Declare Strike OF.
Want to Secure Conference

Lowell, Mass. June 1s.-After a strug-
gle of nearly three months 1t appears
that the textile operatives of Loweh
have tired In their fight for an Increase
OF 10 per cent in wages in the cotton
mills, and are willing to declare "1 the
general strike, which was inaugdfateo
March 30.
This afternoon at one OF their regular
meetings the agents discussed commu-
nication from the Textile council, whcn
Is regarded as an overture OF peace
Strikers are not inclined TO discuss the
message, refusing 90 even acknoWiFus9
that Is was sent, but the mill men WINE
unwilling 10 give the text or the mes
sage. are not secretlve as TO the effect
OF its contents.
The main purpose OF the strikers note
is 10 secure a conference, but N audluoh
10 this Il contains "A suggestion that the
operatives be allowed TO 80 BACK 10 the
factories with the understanding that al
shall receive the places held Dy theHi
before the strike.
This proposition meets with nat re-
frsal from the manufacturers, who say
that the strikers had that opportunity
presented 20 them when the gates were
recpened n fortnight ago and refused "
MUST RETURN AS INDIVIDUALS.
No further attention will be paid 10
the communication by the mill agents,
one of whom says that IL his union help
return they must do so as individuals
and take the chance of securing en-
plo; ment This Is also understood TO
be the attitude OF the other manufac-
lures.
The action OF the Textile council In
sending the communication 10 the mill
agents Is believed 10 be a move on the
part OF the executive committee inde-
pendent OF recommendation by the unions
affiliated with the central oIEal lization,
and before the strike can be oHlclally
declared off, these must first meet ana
vote on the question. after which u VIII
come properly before the Textile conncll
for final action.
President Robert +. Conroy OF the
Textile council said when asked about
tbs communication:
Don't make any inquiries OF me con-
cerning II, because / Will not say any
thing IL the agents state that they
have a communication from the Textile
council there is nothing remaining FOR
me 10 say
HIGH COTTON RESPONSIBLE.
Agent Southworth OF the Massachu-
setts mills. who has been acting as
spokesman for the Cotton Manufactur-
ers' association since the declaration or
the strike, is away in the south. and the
communication from the strikers was re-
ceived by Acting Agent Wadleigh who
declines TO give Il out for publication.
Since the opening OF the gates on June
], the strength OF the strikers has been
decreasing With the exception OF a few
minor breaks In the ranks the beamers
and mulesplnners have held together
solldly and ring spinners showed sur
prisng loyalty 10 the organized opera
tives.
Loomfxers have been drifting away
gradually, and these, together with the
vast majority OF non-union operatives
who returned as soon as the gates were
opened. have made Il possible TO run the
mills without the strikers.
The rise in the price OF raw cotton.
which followed closely after the declara-
ton OF the strike. operated against the
cause OF the strikers. and was a large
factor In their defeat
STRIKERS MAY RETURN.
Boston. June 1s.-Arthur T. Lyman.
president of several Lowell mills and the
most prominent factor in the controver-
sy. said tonight
',rhe mill gates are open, and those
strikers who wish to return can do so
at the old schedule. No discrimination
win be shown. OF course. many places
ply for work there may not he enough
vacancies TO meet the demand.
Last week an effort was made 70
have the agents grant conference.
They replied that the situation remained
unchanged and that all they could do
was to offer employment"