New-York tribune., 1905-01-19
FALL RIVER STRIKE ENDS.
DOUGLAS THE MEDIATOR.
Both Sides Claim Victory-StrNggle
Cost So. 900. 900.

Boston. Jan ls-The strike OF The cotton mill
operatives at Fan River. which affected aoout
twenty-five thousand persons and which has been
sn progress for six months. the great hardship
ana suffering OF FAN Rivers people. was settled
to-day through the mediation OF Governor William
7. Douglas. Under the terms OF an agreement &C
cepted By both manufacturers and operatives al
8 conference held At the State House to-day. the
strikers viii return work Al once under the L14
rer cent reduction against which they struck last
July, and with no discrimination because OF the
strike. No rate of wages was established, but II
was agreed that Governor Douglas should investi-
gate the matter OF margins between the cost OF
cotton 10 the nil owners and the selling price
OF The cloth. and submit his conclusions as TO an
average margin which the manufacturers are 70
pay dividend OF Pc cent wages earned from
the present tine 10 april J.
Both sides regard the outcome Of the delibera-
tions as a victory. The strikers committee ex-
pressed great satisfaction with to-day's terms Of
settlement believing that the evident spirit Of ths
manufacturers 10 pay. at least until April a divi-
dstd or increase, should the margin reach the fig
IRE which Governor Douglas VIII tx, was an indi-
cation that the mill owners would aim TO lay
down such figures would not be Incompatible
with reasonable profits for the mill stockholders.
The manufacturers. the other hand, feel that
their contention that they now paying wages
as high as conditions warrant win be established
by the Governors investigation
/ Governor Douglas, IN statement issued after
the conference expressed especial pleasure that the
OF arbitration. and said thai he felt assured that
the arbitration seed now planted would grow in
q few years 10 a point that would prevent re-
c1rrenoe 0f these demoralzing and pitful
strikes"
FAN River. Mass, Jan 16.-The news Of the set
rlement Of the long pending mill strike was re-
ceived in this city with great enthusiasm BY all
classes OF people. The posting OF bulletins the
newspaper boards and the appearance OF extra edi-
tions on the streets containing Of the settle
nsnt seemed TO be the signal for almost in
EIsntsneous outpourlng cf mill people Within half
hour OF the time that word first 10 the
city OF settlement The streets Were crowded with
Rud women giving every manifestation OF JOY
During the afternoon The crowds and the demon
ELratiOn increased
The strike which began on July q ISoz the
greatest disturbance the textile Industry OF America
obliged 10 close rneir gates about twenty-five thou
sand operatives were thrown out OF work Seventy
mills, controlled by thlrty~three corporations
stopped The machinery and Il remained idle until
factories have been running, generally with less
than one-hRlf the usual force The strike was
directly Que 10 reduction Of l21z per cent IN wages
The mills had reduced wages 10 per cent eight
months previously Under the second reduction The
standard price for weaving was 1I-82 cents a cut
The last cuI6Owu not met by the SIX mills Of
The Fan River Iron Works a concern conducted in
dependent OF the Fail River Manufacturers ASsO-
cisIiOn. The yarn and thread mills. the BarDaby
tKinghsm and Stevens quilt mills were also out OF
he wage reduction agreement. The mills a1rected
and have 10000 spindles. During the months the
Eevenry-one mills were shut down the operatives
lost nearly Gl500o0 weekly and the corporations
about IS go. ae aggregate direct losses 10 all in
> notable feature Of the great struggle was the
sEbEence OF disorder and lawless acts