Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-16
STRIKE HEARING.
Continued from page ~

dEcHlS De put odtii. wi
Council said it would make no diff
ference if he were under oath. He
would give the same information.
Mr.. Council could make no compar-
ison between spinning in Fall River
and New Bedford, as in one case there
might he an 1S-ounce spindle and in
the other To- or r. or 14-ounce spindle
running at different lengths of staples
and under different conditions.
Mr.. McVey asked if all things were
equal, the fremont and Suffolk could
pay as much to mule spnners as the
Fail River MILL Mr.. Council thought
the attorney was building castles in
the air." Later he maintained that he
did pay as much for the same kind
of work as the Fall River mills.
A technical discussion on the differ
ence in yarns consumed much time, the
attorney for the operatives endeavor-
ing to show that the fremont and Suf-
folk mills did not pay as much for
yarn spinning as Fall River and Taun-
ton.
AT / p NJ, Mr. Cornell said he desired
to go out of town and wanted TO know
ii Mr.. McVey was through with him.
NO we have not finished. We have not
started with you, yet" was the answer.
Recess was then taken for dinner.
When the hearing was resumed at 20.
MI McVey continued the cross-examina,,
ton of Mr.. Connell. The latter explained
the difference in grade and price of raw
cotton used in New Bedford and ran XIV
er and in Lowell.
Mr. Cornell was asked if his corporation
did rot have superb equipment FOR
weaving. He stated that he had some
quite ordinary looms and also some up-to-,
do tie ones. 1t was admitted by Mr.. Council
that his mill got more for their cloth than
Fall River mills received Tor print cloth,
but ne pointed out that the cloth had to
be run through the dye house and the
beamers' hands. entailing greater expense:
Mr.. Connell said his mills were being fitted
with modern machinery as rapidly as pos
sible.
After replying to two or three questions
asked by VIM. H. Osgood of counsel for
ined by Mr.. Dunbar. Regarding wages,
the agent said certain classes of help were
overpaid and others underpaid. Mr., Con-
nell considered that the beamers were paid
more in Lowell than in any place he knew
of. 1t had been claimed that the beam
ers had brought about the strike but he
did not know that such was the fact cx-
cept from hearsay.
Mr.. McVey again took the witness ID
hand and an exciting five minutes follow
ed asked he n IN TO
paid class in Boston" The agent thought
he had not said one class was oVerpaid.
The statement created the. first expires
sion of disapproval from the spectators,
most of whom were operatives, of the
hearing, The reply was greeted with jecrs
and laughter. After some discussion the
records were read. showing that Mr..
Connel had used the words attributed to
him. He claimed that they had been Civ
en- a wrons construction by MI. McEey.
Mr.. Dunbar said the expression used by
Mr. Cornell was relative statement at
the mills
Everything is relative up there re-
joined Mr.. McVey.
MIR. Dunbar then placed in evidence Il
statement showing the number of en-
ployes and total wages paid at the va
rous mills. He also submitted a list
sho wing how the stock of the mill was
distributed and what it was quoted at.
The stock was widely scattered. he said.
and no one interest approached the point
of holding control. The stock of three of
the corporations was about par while the
rest were below, one mill having very low
quotations.
Agent Nourse of the Lawrence Compa-
ny, which PRODUCES hosiery largely, add
dressing the board said less than two
per cent. of his $500 hands were on strike
He said some of the striking mule SPIN
nerS desired to return to work. but he UNI
derStood they were deferred by threats.
He asked if the board thought that with
this sentiment he would be justified in
opening his mule department.
Mr. McVcy-"Did your superintendent
say before the strike that if your people
would not stay in they would he thrown
out:''e
Mr.. Nourse-"Not to my knowledge"
Mr.. McVey-"I suppose you are disaD-
pointed that Lowell is the most peaceful
city in the country. and that you feel if
riot and disorder reigned the police would
take hand and force the operatives back
to work
Mr Nourse-'No' am in favor of or
Mr.. McVey--"Why did you tell the board
that some persons wanted work."
Mr.. Nourse-'I heard threats had been