Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-26
Appeal Issued for Fall
River Operatives.
Labor Federation's President
Takes Matter in Hand.
Collectors to Be Sent into Mining
Regions.

ran INiNtF, sept. - IN '-''s7
textile operatives of Fail RlVer nave
been officially notified that the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor VIII assist
them in their struggle. Presldeht
Golden received. Saturday, as ne prom
Used, a formal notification from 1Tesl-
dent Gompers that the Fall fiVer Stflke
should have the undivided attention, #
possible. of the American Federation
of Labor.
Mr.. Gnmpers expressed regret at be-
ing unable to attend to the matter be-
fore. but attributed the delay in part
to his absence in other quarters on
important business. He SAID:
Now that the most important strikes
which have been recognized ny the
federation have been ended, the entire
attention of that body will be devoted
to the Fall River strike. | fully real
iZe the situation which confronts you,
and believe your strike is one Of the
most justifiable that has ever been
brought to our attention. Consequently
Il strong appeal was authorized by the
executive council. and we are at pres
cnt issuing it to every organization
affiliated with us. Anything ! can do
for Won in the matter to strengthen
your position I will cheerfully do, and
You can call on me at any time for any
thing YOU may desire"
Mr.. Golden said: "Everything that
We have requested have been granted
and if there is no sign of settlement
within Il few days we will have the
| country covered from Maine to Califor-
MIA. | feel justified in saying that
| enough funds can be raised from or
gani2e'! labor. alone. which will enable
| the five textile unions in this city to-
| carry on the strilir for an indefinite
period. While willing at any time to
| confer upon the situation. ana DESTROYS
Of an early settlement. there will be no
| stone left unturned to fortify ourselves
for long struggle"
President Golden wrote. today. to
President John Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers for credentials for col
| lectors, to go through the entire coal
| field to solicit funds for the Fall River
strikers.
I 1t is Il significant fact that the manu-
! facturors who are bringing the great
est pressure to bear to reopen the mills
! on Oct. 3, are the mon who have con-
| tended for lower wage scale. Wheth-
| er they Will succeed in inducing the
signers to the wage agreement to modi-
fy their views to accord with theirs
, will be determined in the next few
days. but it appears rs if the mills will
be kept closed at~lea St s44e- week be-
You'd oct. 8.
r1,a fa boz
! most persistcntly Of how easy it would
( be to get the help to accept the wage
cut when the mills are opened. are the
i very men who succeeded in getting the
| others to enter on this strike. makes
| the DIRECTORS more determined in their
desire not to open, Oct. g. These object
| ors would gladly join in the movement
| to reopen, even though trade has not
! improved enough to warrant it, if they
! had any confidence that operatives
! were willing to accept the conditions
as they are.
| 1t is possible that a conference be-
tween representatives of the weaNerS
and the manufacturers might result in
| clearing away much of the feeling
which now exists. but such cohfer-
ence Is not desired by the men }who
| have been most prominent in trying to
| force open the mills.
Stockholders and operatives now
| take n very different view of Fall Riv-
er's place in the country's markets
! than they die nine weeks ago. The
stopping of a product of 100000 pieces
of goods from the markets by the
! strike, without a corresponding jump
! in the demand, or in prices, carries it's
own lesson.
| Stockholders of the Davis mills held
n meeting in Music han, Saturday, and
| voted to issue bonds to the amount of
/ S500,000, to take care of the indebted
ness on the plant. The mill has about
1000 Spindles and is not fully equipped.
! although he had been running for some
time previous to the strike. The capital
was recently increased, but in the
present state of trade it is believed the
! bonds can be more easily placed than
any issue of new stock The bonds will
bear interest at per cent. Stockhold-
ers will be given preference in the sale
of bonds.