New-York tribune., 1903-04-05


good feeling preserved by the strikers toward
their employers. The men demanded 10 per cent
increase; II refused absolutely. They declared
that unless it granted by certain date they
would strike. The agents answered by refusing
again, and announced that they would close the
mills. The men filed out in perfect order; there
temper, passion The agents announced
that they would like to close up their stock in
few mills. and asked that few men be allowed ,
work for short time Their request was grant
ed. The entente cordiale preserved through
out. On the question of increase there exists an
absolute deadlock otherwise there is friction.
Each acknowledges the right of the other to the
position taken; there is plenty of criticism but
little bilingsgate. AS a demonstration of law
abiding boycott the strike. far, at least has
been perfect success.
THE BABEL OF RACES.
Twenty-six different races are represented in the
crowd that passes the crowded streets. From
the uttermost parts of the earth gathered to-
gether q marvellous assortment of men. The Far
East Asia Minor, Africa, Greece, Italy, Poland.
France and the British Kingdom are all represent
On opposite sides of the street Napoleon Bideau
and Alexander Sophios keep store. Cesar Romano
has fruit stand at the corner and George Wash
ington, colored but proud OF his sovereigndefying
name lives down the alley. Representatives of the
ancient royal families of Cohen and Sullivan do
business in the neighborhood, and All Sin, the de-
scendant of history only knows how many princely
houses destroys the clothing OF Christian and He
brew with the bland readiness. There are
Armenians, wearing gayly colored sweaters, to be
noted in the passers, and Portugal has large rep
resentation These the people of the mills;
these are the bulk of that great mass OF laborers
through whom runs the scent leaven of education.
acquired by effort rather than advantage; this is
the material out Of which is to be constructed a
victorious army OF strikers. Unionism is to bring
economic salvation. the leaders claim.
1t is a strange sight, this motley throng wan
dering I'D and down the streets. They like
children Just out from school They stop at the
corners and chat. The women wave their hands at
their male acquaintances- The men smoke in
cessantly: they laugh and Joke; holiday to many
of them is untasted joy. 1t is too new. too
pleasurabe. to be appreciated in its gravest phase
yet There is no boisterousness On the first day
of the strike people came from far and wide to view
the scenes. and went away disappointed. They
nothing but number of decently dressed men
and women, walking in orderly fashion the
street There were great crowds-the police
had no difficulty Not even the saloons overfiowed.
Occasionally a drunken was seen, but it was
doubtful If could be charged up the strikers.
of the bulletin boards of the local papers
the greatest crowds assembled. Men watched each
scare announcement with amusement. They
seemed regard themselves spectators rather
than participants They scanned the evening papers
eagerly. if proud of the stir they were making
in the world They shook their heads the
stories. grumbed at editorials and expressed
complimentary opinions of certain OF the
conservative opinions decrying the strike But they
marching. turbulence; everything was pleasant
and harmonious: It was a holiday crowd pure and
simple Wherever one went there always the
same crowd the pipes the same good natured
Joking OF sullenness or of bitterness there was
not a suggestion. Doubtless the long, hard strain
Of the fight will bring these. but never there
a more perfect absence of them at the outset
MILL AGENTS REFUSE COMPROMISE.
The position the mill agents, the employers, the
representatives of capital in this struggle is also
noteworthy. Instead of persisting in running their
mills in the face of the growing strike sentiment.
they decided. the moment they became convinced,
alleged that they became convinced. that a ma
jority of the operatives against Them to avoid
all danger of conflict and close the mills until the
operatives ready TO work on their terms. To
the present previous demands for higher wages
they have always made the same reply.
We can better afford to shut down our mills
and go Of business than accede TO this Unrea-
sonabIe demand. We are paying our operatives
all we can afford under the present conditions of
trade and the existing high price of raw cotton"
Indeed some of them are quoted as saying that 1t
IS cheaper TO sell their cotton stock at the present
market price than to make it up Last year. when
a strike impending the operatives were per
sraded by committee of prominent citizens TO
rest their case with them and go back 10 work
This committee conferred with the agents, and
were politely but firmly informed that the agents
could consent TO a compromise The State
Board OF Arbitration essayed similar task this
hasco the operatives have been shy of arbitration
and there is not the slightest evidence that either
side desires settle the matter other than by dl-
rect conflict. The fight has long been coming. and
the general belief is that the mill agents are ready
TO fight ii to a finish now that when it is over
there will be an end of strikes for some years
come.
A perpexing feature of the great strike is the
weakness of the labor organizations A week be-
fore the strike began 20 per cent of the oper-
alives were union members. The ignorant foreign
class representing the lowest scale in the economic
ladder did not in the slightest degree grasp the
idea Of the trade union doctrine. 1t Is alleged
that a number of Greeks Joined the union and put
up their money under the impression that they
were paying for work. But sooner was the
strike imminent than hundreds Of non-union oper-
atves declared their intention of sharing the 1ght
Then began a process Of unionzing. conducted on
the most wholesale fashion. Hundreds perhaps
thousands were received into the various organza-
tions and it is prophesied that strike of any
duration will result in driving the greater portion
Of the operatives into the union. OF course, 1t is
possible motive in this sudden step.
members will receive funds for their support
from similar unions throughout the country prob
ably from organized labor In every branch. Since
the mills definitely closed it is easy TO under
stand why II better to many get aboard
the lunch wagon" the phrase goes. But on
the other hand. the new members are not eligible
for support for three months. and by that time
they will have been strongly Joined 10 the unions
The hope of the strikers of course. is To form
strong union body OF mill operatives in Lowell and
organization similar in strength 10 that existing
IN Fall River. II they attain this they will have
important victory in any event But