Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-03
STRIKE BROKEN
Is the Claim of the Lowell Tex
tile Mill Agents.
Say That 1913 Per Cent. of Strikers
Have Returned to Work.
Textile Council Denies Statement,
Claiming Victory.

half of the operatives in the six cot
ton mills which have been idle for the
past nine weeks had returned to work,
before the machinery stopped, tonight,
according to statements of the agents.
On April !, it was estimated that 49,
300 persons left these mills, and of this
number 1919 has returned, or 59.S per
cent There are in the mill, today, the
following numbers: Massachusetts,
1924; Merrimack, 2450; Boot, 1850;
Hamilton, 1884; Appleton, 1925; and
fremont and Suffolk, 1880.
Even with knowledge of these figures
the executive committee of the Textile
Council has declared that the strike is
a success; that the agents figures are
only on paper and that skilled help is
almost entirely lacking in every mill.
Individually the agents declare that
they are perfectly satisfied with the
situation.
At labor headquarters, the "black-
list of union members who have re-
turned to work was posted. 1t includes
81 carders, 6 slashers; IL loom fixers
and two beamers.
The view of the situation held oy
citizens generally is that the strike is
over.
Lowell Mass, June about 8 per
cent. more operatives went to work in
the Massachusetts, Merrimack, Ire
mont and Suffolk, Hamilton, Boot and
Appleton mills, which have been closed
for nine weeks by a strike, this morn
ing, than on yesterday, confirming the
iat; ho II
of textile crafts had lost their fight
for a 10 per cent. increase in wages.
The percentage of skilled labor set
at work. according to official Figures
issued, however, would appear to place
the mills in a much stronger position
than indicated by the increase in the
number of hands at work, as compared
with yesterday. Agent Southworth of
the Massachusetts mills in his morning
statistical statement of the position Of
the mills gave these figures:
Percentage of looms in operation:
Massachusetts, 40; Merrimack, so;
fremont and Suffolk, 43; Boot, q;
Hamilton, IS; Appleton, Z.
Percentage of full force of work.
men: Massachusetts Al; Merrimack,
20; Boot, so; Hamilton, 70: Appleton,
rs: fremont and Suffolk, 43.
There are 116 loom fiXers at work
and 50 beamers. Figures are incom-
plete for mule spinners but the number
appears to be unchanged from yester-
day"
The number of additional employees
at work, today, is as follows: Massa-
chusctts, IA; Merrimack, 10; Bot, 5;
Hamilton, Z; Appleton, 10; fremont
and Suffolk, 5, or an average of just
under 8 per cent.
The percentage of increase in loom
capacity is as follows: Massachusetts,
13; Merrimack. 4 Boot. 10; fremont
and Suffolk, 10; Hamilton, 8; Apple
ton, 2, or an average percentage also
just under 8. Loom production figures,
however, represent what the agents
class as skilled help, while an increase
III the working force includes all classes
of help. In loom fiXers the mills gain
II and 6 beamerS.
Agent Southworth said that all the
mills appear to be well situated as re-
CARDS ring spinners. Tho Massachu
sets, he said was producing more yarn
than it could take care of. He had
not collected spinning room figures be-
cause he did not see that there was
any special significance in them. the
labor men, however, claim that the
strength of the Ring Spinners Union
will prevent the weave rooms from run
ming for any length of time.
Mr.. Southworth said that he thought
the Textile Council in its estimate of
the number of help going to work in
the mills, yesterday, had the idea that
because the union men stayed out no
one else went in. Mr.. Southworth said
that the Textile Council members over
looked the fact apparently that New
England is full of craftsmen who want
work and that applicants for positions
IN Lowell mills are not asked where
they come from or whether they belong
to unions.
The opening of the mill gates, this
morning, was without incident. Very
few outsiders were there, although
union pickets were in evidence. The
usual roll calls were held at labor halls
and the reports showed that the union
ranks have stood firm.
The Textile Council delegates were
Continued on page o.