The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-25
FALL RIVER IN
THROES OF STRIKE.
Continued from page one.


Both sides admit that this is the be-
ginning of one OF the most determined
contests which Fall River has ever seen.
The manufacturers maintain that they
have tried every plan which they could
think of to avoid n reduction in wages
and took that final step only when driven
to do so TO save their business:
OPERATIVES CLAIM.
On the other hand the operatives say
that the conditions affecting cotton
manufacture here are much that re-
duction In wages is no more a remedy
than such a step would be in attempt
ing to prevent the ravagaes Of the boil
weevil.
The closed fronts of some OF the smaller
stores, augmented by the deserted APP
pearance of the streets. added to the
general air OF desolatien In the mill
sections. The stores had been closed be-
cause the proprietors had no hope OF con-
tinuing with the strike on.
AS to the possible duration Of the strike
no one could be found who was willing
TO make a prediction.
The labor unions were particularly anx-
ious to maintain their front for two,
weeks. claiming that IL they were able to
do that any OF their number who were
inclined to waver would be convinced of
their ability to fight to the end. On the
other hand the manufactures were ready
in view OF their failure to secure q suf-
flcient force to draw their fires and shut
down their plants
EARLY ASTIR.
AS early as quarter OF o'clock the
I'm
anxious to watch developments. Some
OF them took places near the mill gates.
BY a quarter past II was apparent that
the strike order had been generally obey
ed and at 630 O'Clock the usual starting
time. the only mill having more than
score OF employees ready for work was the
Bourne
The union leaders were greatly pleased
at the effectiveness OF the strike order
IL was explained that at the Bourne mill
the profit sharing plan has been followed
for several years. This is thought TO ac-
count, In a measure. for the action of the
weavers In reporting for work. II was
admitted that some fear had been felt
concerning the action OF the operatives
at the Seaconnet mills, where n notice
had been posted to the effect that those
who reported for work today would have
their wages increased at the earliest pos
il.
however and no attempt was made to
start the machinery.
x SWEEPING VICTORY"
Reports made at headquarters of the
various labor unions during the forenoon
indicated that as the leaders said. a
sweeping victory"
During the forenoon the idle employees
appeared on the streets in large numbers.
and in the tenement house district the
thoroughfares were thronged with
strikers discussing the situation.
NO STRIKE AT TAUNTON.
Taunton, Mass. July ga reduction In
wages OF 12h per cent went into effect at
the cotton mills of the Corr Manufacture
ing company at East Taunton today.
These mills are engaged In the manufac-
ture OF practically the same grade of
cloth made in Fall River. All the workers
reported for duty as usual
SHUT DOWN AT sUNCooK.
suncook, N. H.. July 25.-A shut down
OF two weeks went into effect here today
In the three cotton mills OF this town
which employ about fifteen hundred oper-
atives. The shut down follows an an
nouncement made by the mill owners last
week that as soon as the mills reopen
the wages OF the workers will be reduced
12h per cent. 1t is considered probable
that all the operatives will submit to the
cutdown. The local mills are controlled
by tho same persons who own the mills
az Fall River. Mass.
Continued on page Two