Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-31
I. $4,000 AFFECTED
By 10 Per Cent. Cut In
New England Mills.
Business Conditions Forced
Mills to That Step.
Not Expecisd That Strikes Of Any
Size Will Result.

lRoston. March 30--The general re-
auction Of 10 per cent, in the wages OF
New England cotton mill operatives
which was recently decided upon be-
came effective today IN mills employ
ing $1,000 persons. Next Monday the
movement will apply to the pay OIL as
MANY more The reduction is due to the
dull state of the cotton goods market
which forced many mills to curtall
production during the winter and at
the present time. The city of Fall Riv-
err where the agreement with the Tex
tile Council does not expire until late
in Nav Lawrence and 3 erkshire cOun-
ty are not included in the general re-
duction but may be affected later on.
There was some interest. in mill cir
Giles this morning as to how the oper-
atiyes would accept the cut down. Sew
eraI minor strikes were regarded as
possibIe, but no walk-out was expect
ed at any point today. There is some
unrest at New Bedford, where the re
duction will become effective next
Monday, but in view of the ct'rtailment
now in progress Il strike is not regard
ed as probable. The New Bedford Tex
tile Council and the Manufacturers
Association representatives VIII hold a
conference III few days to discuss the
cut.
In Lowell and Lewiston, We, the
Textile Councils also protested against
p reduction. but the mill owners state
that it is necessary.
In fact there is IL sentiment IN los
ton mill offices that second cut in
wages may be necessary this year I'M
less the market conditions Improve.
This action, however, will depend
largely upon the extent of the Fall
River reduction in May.
Curtalinent is general throughout
New England at the present time
Since Jan. ], it is estimated that lLIilS
with a total of 10,o00,000 spindles Lave
curtaied more or less or are doing. 50
now The average curtailment is placed
at some 20 to % per cent. Of the prod1lc-
ton. The cotton mills of New England
have about $1,000, 900 spindles. In Fall
River production of print cloths l,!1t
week was lessened by about 155.DO
pieces, the largest amount held FROM
the market this year. 1t is probable
that most Of the Fall River mills wiz
adopt NJ. c. d. Borden's policy and
run Oh half time, closing every other
week The Pocasset and WampanoaG'
Corporations will be shut down all this
week
The sales of print cloth in Fail Riv-
er amounted to but 10000 pieces last
week The Tecunseh print cloth mills
were shut down all last week, the
American Linen. Border City, Chac9
Mechanics, Merchants, Sycamore, Os-
borne No. 1. and Union mills three
days each. Ancona, two days; Barnard,
Cornell, Flint, Granite No. | and :.
Narragansett. Richard Borden. Sea
comet, Shove. Stafford, Troy and
Weetamoe, IL days each. The Durfee
has had about one-fifth of its looms
stopped OF the mills on fine goods and
specialties the Davol has been stopped
2% days: the Bourne. COnanicut, Davis
Granite No. ?. Hargraves and Parker
No. 1 mills. 11a days each. The Barna-
by and Stevens mills have, as usual.
had many looms stopped. The four
mills of the New England Cotton Yarn
Co were stopped Friday and Saturday
The reduction in wages became eitec-
tive today in the following mills:
Observation-Disclosures leton, Boot