The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-12
BENEFIT
CONCERT FOR
STRIKERS

There was an interesting entertainment
held last evening In Infantry hall for the
benefit of the Fall River strikers, which
was rather well attended. those present
numbering about 1000.
The committee OF arrangements had for
the speakers OF the evening Gov. l.. r. G.
Garvin and President yohn Golden OF the
United Textile Workers OF America. The
subject OF the addresses OF both these
men was conditions OF the strikers IN
Fall River and the labor problem in
general.
In brief Gov. Garvin, who was the first
speaker 10 be introduced, spoke as fol-
lows:
81 am not we'll versed on the situation
In Fall River. but a year ago last month
there was "A cut in wages in practically
all the large cotton mills>fn New England
and the city of Fall River was affected
by this cut Last spring IL was announced
by the manufacturers OF Fall River that
another cut was to go into effect, but a
large proportion OF the people objected,
decided 10 strike when they found that
the manufacturers would not rescind their
Ofder 10 make the cut.
I'VE, here i'm Rhode Island, are inter-
ested I'm this cut OF wages because OF
the fact that. II IL had not occurred.
wages might be lower here In the cotton
and various other industries think there
are times when we are justified in strik-
ing, and this is one OF the times when the
conditions are beyond endurance. To my
mind, however, the wage Garner as well as
the employer should study methods for
20 bax int,
To both II is safe 10 assume. however.
that IL the persons employed in the cot
ton mills. for instance, were paid what
they rightfully earned, there would be no
strikes"
Mr.. Golden was introduced by Gov Gar
vim and he also spoke briefly. He said
In part:
You know. many OF you that when
strike takes place II is often laid ~ the
door OF the labor organizer or the labor
union. / want 10 say right here that our
labor unions OF Fall River have no
apologies 10 offer. The labor union has
been acknowledged by some OF our most
learned men to be OF benefit both 10 the
employer and the employe.
I'm speaking OF the strike OF the textile
workers OF FAN River I will ask you to
hook back is months. At that time a cut
In wages OF 10 per cent took place Under
this cut our people suffered terribly and
were worked harder but they never de-
INJURED. Then came the news TO the
effect that curt of l2t per cent was to go
into effect. The people. wrought UP by
the conditions under which they. had
labored uncomplainingly for a long time,
In sheer desperation refused to contlnue
TO work and to my mind this strike in
Fall River which Is now going on Is a
strike for all New England. for IL is a
well known fact that what Fall River
mills do in the way OF prices sets an
example followed by other places through
out New England.
I'm the matter OF striking. for which
we are perhaps criticised by many, what
would you do if your wages were being
cut and cut until there was barely enough
for you TO exist on, and then not decent
ly? I don't think there is one OF you
but that would go out on strike the same
as we have.
Some. as I said before. accuse the
labor leaders Of causing the trouble. but
81 Is fact that four OF the five secre-
taries In Fall River were in favor OF no
strike"
Mr.. Golden then compmented and
thanked Gov. Gsrvin for attending the
entertainment and speaking and referred
briefly to the difference between the gov
ernor OF Rhode Island and Gov Bates of
Massachusetts. who Mr.. Golden said.
promised TO sign the labor bill for the re-
lief or women and children which went
through the Massachusetts, legislature
but failed TO do So
AT the conclusion Of the speeches the
entertainment was begun and consisted
OF the following numbers: Mandolin and
piano duet, Goodrich and Drew; Curtis {,
Morse. humorist in character sketches.
soprano SOLO Mrs. Irene NJ Standisb.
banjo solo. with harmonica, Conrad r
Goodrich; chalk sketches, "Chalk,
Saunders. chalk artist: f. l.. Drew
popular songs.