Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-03
NOT SETTLED.
Difficulty Continues at the
North Vassa|boro Mills.
Claimed That Active Union Men Are
Not Given Work.
Company Contends No Discrimination
Is Being Shown.

North Vassalboro, Me-, Feb. 3
(opeclaD.-The starting of a part of
the mills here has caused some diff
| Guilty between the mill managers, and
the Old employees on account of the
selection of the men to work in the
part now running. The union men
have been Disseminated against in
choosing the relatively small number
of men now employed. 1t is claimed
that the men given employment are
those who have not been Closely cor
nected with the affairs of the union.
although they may be union men, and
are those the company considers to be
friendly to it rather than to the union,
while those who have taken an active
part in the union affairs and who have
shown themselves more friendly to it
than to the company in past disputes
are not being given employment, al
though they may rightfully be con-
sidered as being worthy of first choice
because of having families dependent
upon them and having been residents
of the town and employees of the mill
for Z long time.
In short. the union claims that those
who should have first choice in en-
ploymen. are not getting it while those
who do not have the right are getting
it because of their special friendliness
to the company. Some union men so
SO far as to claim that it is an attempt
Or the part of the company to break up
the union now that the company has
the chance on account of the dull
times and that some of the employees
have been blacklisted on account of
their work for the union in times past.
The company on its side of the case
claims that only Il part OF the mill can
be started for the present and that it
was not influenced by any special rea-
sons i'll selecting the men to be EN-
plOyed. The other men will be given
work as fast as possible and when the
whole mill is again in operation the
conditions will be practically the same
as formerly.
The matter was discussed at length
ct the meeting of the Weavers' Union,
Monday evening, and it was then vot-
Cd to hold a public mass meeting for
discussion of the question and 4 COM
mittee was appointed to confer with
the management of the mill regard
ing the situation.
The men employed at the 90 looms
now in operation met at the close OF
work, tonight, and voted to go to work
as usual, Wednesday morning.
The mass meeting was held
in Citizens hall, this evening.
. ly considered to be the stirring up of pub
lie sentiment in favor of the cause of the
, weavers and influencing the men now en-
ployed to come out. There We're about 200
present and C. L. Whaley, president of the
Weavcrs' Union. presided. Speeches were
made by II. d. 3. Aver. George S. Halves
and Michael Herbert men not employed
in the MILL and by about 20,weavers.
The opinion of the citizens who spoke
seemed to be that the trouble was caused
only by a misunderstanding and that it
could be satisfactorily settled if gone at
in the right way. The weavers spoke of
their gievances, the most important OF
which are the matters Of employing the
men now at work, n change in the sched-
ule of weaving, which they claim pr2cti-
| cally amounts to n 20 per cent. cutdoWn
and which the managers of the mill de-
ny, and the adjustment of the premium
system formerly in vogue.
| The committee appointed by the weavcrs
| to confer with Mr.. Jealous regarding the
points in dispute reported that he would
rot talk with them on mill matters.
After the public meeting a conference
was held by the weavers who are not
| employed and those who are. The latte
have voted to continue work and it is I'M
derctood that considerable pressure Is; be-
ing brought to bear on them tC induce
them to quit work so thar tEe whole mill
may be closed while the grievances are
being adjusted. Some Of the weaVcrs
have expressed their intention of leaving
town and seeking employment elsewhere.