Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-25
CUT STANDS.
CONTINUED from page ~
TO consider a proposition embodied in
the following communications:

the following communication.
Fall River, July 90. 1904.
ITO the Manufacturers Association.
Acting on the suggestion of the State
Board of Arbitration, the undersigned,
representatives OF the. textile workers
of Fall River. respectfully request that
the proposed cut down in wages be sus-
pended for two weeks from Monday.
July 70. We make this request in the
hope that n further conference to he
held during the coming week, may de-
vclop a plan whereby all pending con-
troversies may be adjusted to the mu-
tual advantage of employers and en-
ployes and the welfare OF the business
interests of the city, which We believe
are seriously affected.
tSigned)
James Tansey, secretary CarGrrs'
Union; Thomas Taylor, secretary
Loomfixers' Union; Thomas O'Donnnu.
secretary Spinners' Union; James
Whitehead. secretary Viewers Union;
Joseph G. Jackson, secretary Slashcrs
Union.'
The communication stalte,; i gen
eral and heated discussion, the par
to divulge after adjournment. The
meeting lasted an hour and IL quarter.
BY unanimous vote the following
reply to the labor officers ,y;,s u,looted:
Fall River, July -, 1904
''Nessrs. James Tansey, Thomas Tay-
lor. Thomas O'Donnell, james White :
head and Joseph G. Jackson:
Dear SirS-At a meeting of the
manufacturers held this day, to which
your letter of the 22d instant was sub
nitted. it was voted that there will be.
% change in the date when the pro-
,.osed reductions in wages will go into
effect. If you have any communication
to make or wish for another conference
with the manufacturers committee at
any time We should be pleased to hear
rom You.
Yours respectfully
"CLARENCE T.. HATHAWAY,
'"cretary Manufacturers Assoca-
Ion"
This decision was received with pro-
-"Ii:d public regret. The hopes of the
"fnnnInity had taken on a feeling of
.:n .talIcc up to the time this announce
n'':'t was made. and people had COM
r.nrei to believe that the calamitous
tate of affairs that threatened the city
A"uld be averted. Among the labor
leaders VINO shared this feeling the dis
appointment was particularly pro-
itounced.
Scch TanSey said: Il don't know
there is any statement to be made.
hon, lit IL
lutte refusal on the part of the manu-
factlreis to consider the bare PROPOSE
ton presented by the Secretaries of the
representatives of the. unions, at the.
conference held. yesterday. AS re-
suit the strike will go into effect, Mon
day morning."
Sec. Donnell said: II am satisfied
that we were fair and reasonable, and
we arc disappointed at their refusal
Now it means 4 test Of strength be-
tween the operatives and manufacture
ers i'm this city
Secretary Jackson said: 1.-The repre-
sentatives of the textile workers en-
deaVored to avert strike by suggest
ing 4 postponemcnt for two weeks. So
discussed. The manufacturers have re-
Jected our proposition, which means
that we shall have to strike against
an unwarranted and unjusti:ia BILE pro-
posed reduction in wages. Upon them
will rest the blame for Whatever may
occur during this strike Men do your
duty at this time. Th.is is a fight for the
principle of living wage, and all should
I've willing to fight to the bitter end,
not only for our own selves, but for the
sake Of our children. who have to work
when we have passed away. Let every
slasher tender in the city report at
morning
Secretary Wfithe1d said: Il thought
this wac Il fair proposition. I am dis
appointed at The decision of the manu-
facturers. 1t means strike. All weav-
ers are expected tc respond
Secretary Taylor said: II think the
MANUFACTURING have refused the olive
branch and have made a mistake in
their position. ] believe the position of
tie textile secretaries was an extremely
fair one. and had it been accepted a
pOstpOnement might have developed
some way out of the difficulty fair to
the manufacturers and the operatives
The action of the manufacturers was
~""de known promptly to the union
officials and general strike order was
issued by tho executive committee of
the TEXTILE Council as follows:
Fellow Mombcrs-nT accordance
with the decision of the Textile Council
ana the vote Of the organizations on
night. sustaining that de-
cision by three unions out of five vot-
ing in favor of a strike. and owing to
the fact that there is no change i'm the
n strike is officially declared
by the undersigned. and they request
that all members Of the spinners', car
lerS', loOmfiyers', VIEWERS and slash
offenders stay away from the mills on
morning and remain away un-
til n satisfactory settlement is reached
"On behalf of the Textile Council.
(Signed)
James Tansey, President.
Thomas Taylor, Secretary,
Thomas O'Donnell, Treasurer,
Executive Committed"