The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-01-24
Labor Troubles at the MarstOn
Mills

WoTsted Mills, to the number OF ABOUT
225, united in a strike, leaving the va
rious departments where they were en-
ployed and quitting the building and
grounds
Reports of trouble brewing had been
current on the street ever since the dis
charge OF one of the sewers, Miss Mamie
Bilodeau, for the reason, as assigned by
the management, that she failed to per-
form her work in a satisfactory manner.
There were also rumors that the local
organization of the Industrial Workers
of the World, were to order a strike in
the attempt 10 force the Marston Com
pany to employ Miss Bilodeau Shortly
after the starting of the machinery for
the afternoon run on Monday, Mr.. Teal,
the superintendent of the weaving de-
partment, put tWenty-six weavers and
three other employees on their notice,
stating that the mill found it necessary
to curtail production and had decided
to shut down that number of looms for
The present. About one hour later and
seemingly the result of the notice given
to these employees coupled with the feel
ing prevailing at Miss Bilodeau's dis
charge, the strike occurred, participated
in by practically every one in the mill
except department superintendent.
Last October the Industrial Workers
of the World was organized here. This
takes in practically all the help in the
mill, both men and women. AS all, CT
nearly all the hands are members Of the
organization, when the weavers were
given their notice the rest of the help
left.
1t seems that there is no dispute as to
wages 80 far as the superintendent is
aware An increase of five per cent was
gwen the weaveIs about month ago
AS matter of fact, so far az the man
agement is concerned, they state they
have not as yet been informed what the
strike Is for. No consultation was
sought and they are left withoutdefinite
Information as to why their help should
have thought strike advisable.
The management state that there are
no orders ahead and for the last month
the goods which have been made have
been sent to New York and stored. The
mill could have shut down month ago
to good advantage, but they wanted to
keep the help here, 30 the mill WAS Iuh.
The weavers we're put upon their notice
simply to curtail the production until
orders could be secured and business
should pick up in the spring.
In all the industrial troubles Skowhe-
gan has ever witnessed, and in this re-
spect local conditions are but those that
obtain in such conflicts elsewhere, the
hardest thing to accept with eqnanimity
is the fact that the discomfort Is foment-
ed, not by those among the workers in
volved who are considered our home
people or by those who by their stability
of character and habits of industry Gu
of the community, but the invariable
head of the disturbance is coterie of
individuals who come TO us from other
manufacturing centers in none of which
they have had anything but temporary
residence, aud looking upon Skowhegaff
as home only until some fancy shall
\
have no stake or interest in this or any
other community and a permanent job
has very little attraction for them For
this reason they are moved by the
slightest incident or for no reason at all
to organize strike, enjoying the spirit
of the contest and with nothing to lose
in event Of failure
The employe who has permanent
residence here is, of course, open to in.
fluence in a measure by the class just
mentioned, and sometimes joins in their
plans with some interest, but in the
main they have little sympathy for
them and would much prefer to continue
to work but yield to the pressure and
excitement of the time and go out re-
luctantly when strike is cal ed In
the present instance a large number of
local help have expressed their regret to
the management that the strike had
been ordered and their reluctance in
being forced to participate in it, Some
of them have already returned to work,
six looms having started up yesterday
and twenty of the finishing room help
being at work, and this number being
increased by aocessions in both depart
ments today. 1t seems probable that
by the first of the week the greater por-
ton of the local employees will be back
In the mill, and that things will be run
ming smoothly again.
Forbidden Games
Almost every one OF England's pop
ular games has at one time or another
been made illegal. Scotland is the
home Of golfs.yet in 1457 the Scottish
parliament passed an act entailing Sc
we're penalties on any one caught play,
ing the game.
Edward Ill, Henry ". and Henry
VIII. all strongly objected to football,