St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-08-24


other Sources.
Editor CALEDoNIAN:
These are the days of great and increas-
ing distress in Fall River. The strike
which occurred on July 25th against no.
tice from the Manufacturers association
of a purpose to cut wages of cotton mill
operatives 121a per cent is affecting a
great many more people than the 10000
who stopped working on account of it.
Indeed. after nearly four weeks of idleness
one can perceive how severely the people
of the city generally are affected by the
movement. I meet men and women
daily who never worked in cotton mill,
yet who say they have abandoned their
plan of months ago for vacation this
summer, or that they are cutting expen-
SEES at honae, or that they fear they will
get in debt before winter; there are wild
ows with small means and dependent
on returns from mill investments; or
grocers who have all summer, because
curtailment was in progress for many
before the strike occurred, been waiting to
receive bills due them; or ordinarily COM
Portable citizens who have failed to
realize from large mill investments.
On store keepers the trial of patience is
probably as heavy as on any one; as
they must still trust those they know to
be honest. even though they have no idea
when they will get their money. A large
dealer here said to me that he thought
the directors of the mills might approx
ably vote to allow small percentage of
their surplus to stockholders in this emer-
other source of relief while the mills re-
main closed, and this appears to be
reasonable view. In many of these 100
mills there is sufficient surplus to allow
small dividend in any crucial time. In
truth, as the dealer quoted above said be-
sides what have. quoted, there should
long ago have been a rational plan of
operation whereby the stockholders, in
stead of reaping big. dividends in some
years and none at all in others, should be
assured, say, per cent every year, the
understanding between the mills and
their help being that the latter should
voluntarily yield to a proposal to cut
wages whenever it is not possible to re-
alize that percentage in any year; and
the further understanding between the
directors and the stockholders being that
out of whatever surplus should accumu-
late in certain number of years an extra
dividend should be paid the latter. A
more even and satisfactory result would
be realized from such a plan than that
which comes from the over-eager, uncer-
tain and unsettled policy on which the
mills are now operated.
But you will ask. What is the stu
ton definitely? AS regard the manu-
facturers, / cannot perceive that it is half
so disturbing a situation as was the cur
tailment experience; few may worry,
but the majority, I think, are enjoying
their vacation, knowing that the de-
depression cannot last many months,
although since this is presidential year,
it may last into 1905. The treasurers
are receiving their salaries, the stock
holders never having risen to the coura-
geous position of demanding that in a
time like this, they 'pass'' them, as the
directors pass dividends; and with
money in hand and a chance to rest a
while awaiting a rising market, the
treasurers cannot be supposed to feel
sad, especially as they know that the
operatives must resume work sometime
before winter. The latter are being
much favored by natural conditions, and
financial and other material aid continues
to come in. A surprisingly large number
of helpers of the operatives have arisen,
and these helpers are from surprisingly
wide range OF society. Charles T. Sherer,
of Worcester, formerly a store keeper
| here, has been paying for dinners tor
children ever since the strike began, the
number of partakers on one day this
week having been about I, 600.
Mr.. Sherer says he intends to continue
| to furnish dinners until the end of the
strike. No one will be surprised if his
outlay reaches 81, 900. James Marshall,
president OF the largest hat-making firm
| in the country, is contributing largely,
and every manner of local organization,
| from liquor dealers associations to news.
paper writer's associations is giving from
| $25 to $1,000 to the cause. The largest
| sum given by liquor dealers organiza-
ton was between 5000 and 81, 900.
The funds contributed so far are $4.-
600. ut is the poor who help the poor
as George w. Gable says, however,
and this total is mainly composed OF
small contributions. This money is to be
used, one-third in aid of unionists. two
thirds in aid ofnon-unionists. The near
| " $4,000 which goes Immediately to the
non-unionist leaves but small surplus
to their credit: while the one third which
| goes to the unionists will melt like snow,
| leaving still greater need next week. In
| order however, not to bring too heavy a
strain to bear on their resources before
the worst of the situation appears, the
secretaries of the unions have closed the
relief stations for week or more, and
meantime a thousand baskets of food
are being sent out by one citizen
| 1t should be understood that of the 3d.
| 900 operatives who were at work before
| the strike not more than 5000 skilled