The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-15
ADVANCE WILL
Be I IL PER CENT.


IL was agreed to accept the offer of the
manufacturers for an Increase OF wages
on the basis of about IA per cent. This
will be OF consderab interest 10 great
many people living here and In the Black
stone valley because the cotton manufac-
turers here have been waiting the action
OF the New Bedford people before stating
what increase they would grant
IL will be remembered that the nrst
move for securing an increase In wages
for cotton mill employees OF Rhode Island
was taken at a meeting of the Rhode ISL
and Mulespinners union. which was held
in Labor temple in this city about three
weeks ago. At that time a resolution was
adopted making a demand for an Increase
at the rate OF not less than 10 per cent
and when the committee to which this
matter was intrusted, forwarded the de-
mand an answer to the proposition was
asked for not later than Dec. IL.
This very naturally stirred up the 9TH
er cotton operatives although no formal
action was taken but there was no sur
prise when some OF the manufacturers
made a public announcement that there
would be an increase 10 begin on Dec 10.
This statement came first from the God
dard Bros. and II was followed by practi-
cally every other manufactures In the
state.
The trouble. however. was that no state
nnent was made as TO how much OF an In
crease would De gwen. IL was kipNn
that the New Bedford people had offered
their operatives an increase which would
amount to about az per cent. but there
was some talk 10 the effect that IL would
not be accepted. Consequently the meet
ing of the textile council held last evening
In the Whaling City" was OF the great
est interest to the operatives I'm this state.
For week now these operatives have
been working at an increased rate OF
wages, but what that Increase was 10 be
not one OF them knew. Now that the New
Bedford operatives have decided 10 ac-
oept the 71A per cent Increase IL is more
than probab BILE that the manufacturers I'm
this state will adopt this as the rate of
increase here and notices of this increase
are likely TO be posted either today or
Monday i'm most of the mills. It is an i'm
teresting fact that there Is so far as
known only one cotton factory in the state
which has granted the full demand OF the
operatives and that is the Cutler Manu-
featuring company OF Warren. This con-
Germ n week ago posted notices in their
mill that they would grant the 10 per
cent increase asked for
While there will be some disappointment
among the operatives because they have
failed TO get all they asked for, still IL
will be tempered with a certain amount OF
satisfaction because there has been some
Increase. II will mean the distribution
of many more thousands of dollars among
the working people OF Pantucket and the
Blackstone Valley every week. and just
at this season of the year when living ex-
penses are naturally high this money VIII
be very welcome The merchants OF this
section will feel this increase and during
the present holiday season II will mean
the addition OF many dollars TO their
stores.
THE ICE CROP
People in this section, as is the case
probably throughout all OF New England
are wondering II there is to be an ice
crop this year. The cold weather Of the
past two weeks has caused n feeling OF
exultation among the householders be-
cause they have thought that the ice COM
panies would be able 10 secure sufficient
Zee TO prevent the extortonate prices OF
last summer. But today there Is a change
in the temperature and there is possi-
bility that what ice there is now on the
ponds may he destroyed
II will perhaps be remembered that the
conditions a year ago were very similar
10 what they have been this year. There
was cold spell about Thanksgiving and
a week later there was ice on the ponds
fully six inches thick. Then there came
a change and there was practically no
more fee during the year. In this section at
least.
II is reported that within the last few
months quite number OF ice houses
have been erected In this state and I'm
Massachusetts near the Rhode Island line
so that II there is a crop OF ice this COM
modify Is certain to be very cheap next
year There is one contracting firm in
this city which reports that IL has more
than 100 men at work at the present time
I'm different places building ice houses and
II is more than likely that other contrac-
tors are also doing the same kind of work
Judging from the report received from
ha ,roit oF ha htt.t
citation to which was referred the matter
or the erection OF an artificial ice plant
there Is very little probability OF any real
action being taken this year so that the
people Will be obliged to depend on the
natural crop next summer, but IL this
shauld fail again IL would probably result
In awakening the people to the necessity
of providing means TO keep them out
OF the clutches OF the dealers whose only
object last summer was 10 squeeze out
of the consumer every cent that he would
possibly stand
ENTERTAINED WITH BANQUET.
Grand Regent Byron c. Stedman and
his board OF grand officers were the
guests of Haskell council. Royal Area
mum. I'm this city last evening and the
affair was one Of the most successful in
the history Of the organization
There was n short business session and
following this the visitors were received.
In the party were Grand Regent Byron
G. Stedman, Vice Grand Regent Norman
II. Cheney Grand Orator Joseph c. Rey-
nolds, Grand Secretary John S. Kelogg.
Grand Guide George II. Burroughs. I'm ad-
dillon TO Supreme Orator Clovis H. Bow
en-. Supreme Representative James N
Davis. Past Grand Regent George c. Til
ley. Past Grand Regent j. Willard Baker,
Past Grand Regent Thomas r. Spencer
Regent James Gregory of Pawtucket
council and Past Regent Richa rdson of
Moshassuck council were received
There was n season OF speechmaking
and following this the party numbering
about 100 went to the Maple house. where