The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-21
Fall River Men VIII Not Stand
II IL Per Cent Gut.
VOTE WAS 1910 TO 1856
Textile Council Was Opposed 10 Strike,
but VIII Back Up Action Of
Unions Nux.

BY a vote Of 1910 to sss last evening.
the members OF the trade unions con-
cerned In the textile industries OF Fail
River declared their Intention OF striking
in case the managers OF the union plants
carry out their plan OF l2h per cent
wage reduction, scheduled TO take effect
on Monday next. That this action was
taken In the face OF a recommendation
from the Textile council. declaring the
inadvisability OF a strike at this time. is
a certain sign OF the intensity OF feeling
over the suggested cut in wages.
Five separate unions OF mill workers
cast their votes last night and the
positive vote OF three OF these unions
serves to sway the action OF the whole
body in favor OF quitting work. The
Carders union and Spinners union were
against the strike. but went down before
the decision OF the wcavers. the loom-
fxers and slasher tenders.
The vote last night included but 2ooo
OF the mill operatives, while the entire
enrolment IN the union mills sums up to
nearly 1900 and past experience tends
TO strengthen the impression that the i'm
pending strike will be Inclusive of the en-
tire body OF workers. Another phase or
the situation IL presented in the fact that
the vote taken includes the greater por-
ton OF the expert union operatives and
even ~ the strike were restricted TO these
persons It would prove exceedingly diffi-
cult TO continue the running OF the mills.
The belief prevailed in Fall River last
evening that, in the face OF such decisive
action on the part OF the operatives, the
mill owners would defer their intended re-
ductions as the conditions in the cotton
and cloth markets at the present time
point TO most ruinous possibilities In case
OF n shut down.
The strike sentiment was strong IN Fall
River yesterday. and those able to draw
deductions foresaw the action OF the later
meetings. These matters OF strikes and
strikers stir the City OF Spindles to its
core and yesterday the probable outcome
Of the evenings voting was the subject
uppermost in conversation. In the
parlance OF sporting circles IL was -four
TO one on strike" during the day.
ADVISED CAUTION.
The wheels OF the offiriaa action in the
matter were set in motion last Saturday
! evening az a meeting OF the Textile coun-
ell. consisting OF the executive officers
of the various unions. A series OF resolu-
| tions were drawn up at that time to be
4
| meetings. The council favored deifbera-
ton and caution. expressing an opinion
! that n strike Just at present woukf be
| impracticable. The council, however,
pledged its support to any action taken by
the operatives, and the strikers are thus
assured OF financial backing.
The weavers' union. numbering IN IFS
| ranks men. women and children to q
| strength Of over 1000, was the fret to
get down TO business and by a vote of
| 91s "y~es'' and 120 nays" decided to
| strike rather than submit TO a cut OF one
eighth OF their wages.
The Loonrixers' union voted 20 60 out
by ballot OF 24 against s.
At the meeting OF the Carders' union.
from which several carders from the Fall
River Iron works. C. II. Bordens In
| dependent mills were excluded, the strike
sentiment prevailed. but not sufficiently
to cast the deciding vote. A two-thirds
vote was not forthcoming and the union
was declared against the strike The
same situation existed with the Spinners'
union. a margin Of but four votes separa-
ting II from the ranks OF the striking
| bodies.
membership. large In spirit. joined the
dissatisfied ones by a decisive votes
to "a.
The summary e these various meet
! inss IA that the Textile Workers union.
established among the mill operatives IN
the Fall River mills. views with disap-
proval the attitude OF the mill owners
In the contemplated reduction Of wages
by 12M per cent, and declares a cessa-
tion OF work on the part of its members.
to go into effect on Monday, July 2S.
providing there be no adjustment brought
about during the intervening tirre
In the so union mills of Fall River.
81. $50 persons face today the discontinue
OF n shutdown On the other hand.
should they continue at work they face
the diecomfiture OF materially lessened
incomes This is one OF those inevitable
| tight places that Labor" Is caught IN,
all too frequently. and the problem OF
extrioation is n AZ consort for the deep
est problems that engage the nations
thinkers.
1925. $50 IN SALARIES.
These mills represent capital in
vestment Of about s25.500. .0o0.' Three and
one quarter million spindles and So. 900
looms are operated and the operatives
receive IN salaries 1926. $50 n week Tho
weekly production of the mills is $50, 600
pieces. which II equal to a+5. 300 900
yards OF cloth n year. with n consump-
tion ~ 2ss. 900 bales Of cotton annually.
In event ~ the strike corning TO a.pass
next Monday, the Fall River workers
will have tho backing not only of the
local textile council but of the national
organization through the executive coun-
ell of the United Textile Workers Of
America. This support plnces the strike
on a complete working basis and its sue
cess or failure will rest wholly on its
intrinsic merits. The operatives will not
encounter any OF the internal dissensions
that so often kills the chances of such
movements II you are going 10 have a
strike, have complete and well con-
Quoted strike Otherwise your success
will be very doubtful
The following officers Of the national
organization met with the textile coun-
ell Saturday: President John Golden
Secretary Albert Hilbert Treasurer
James Whitehead. First Vice President
James Tansey. Thomas Taylor and
Thomas oDonnell of Fall River. Samuel
Ross of New Bedford. James Clir OF
Pawtucket. Robett Barr Of Paterson.
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