Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-12
TEXTILE WORKERS
Of Maine Hold Annual Con-
vention in WaterviIIe.
Pres. John ByFnes Reports en-
Conditions in This State.
National Pres. Golden and Gen. Or
ganizer Wisner Present.

Waterviile, Me, May 11.-(SpeclaD.-
The third annual convention of State
Textile Workers was opened in Water
| vile Tuesday morning with delegates
present from Lewiston, Auburn, Bruns-
wick, Biddeford, Saco, Augusta. Wa
terville Lisbon Falls and Sanford. The
report of the committee on credentials
showed that 81 delegates We're present.
The morning session opened at 1880
O'Clock for the purpose of organization.
| Adjournment was taken at noon for
dinner.
The convention assembled at
o'clock for the afternoon session. An
address was delivered by John Golden
of Fall River, national president Of the
United Textile Workers of America.
w: II. ! Wisners national organizer,
spoke in the interest of Union
labor. The committee on legislation
reported the work accomplished during
the past session at Augusta. They
were successful in obtaining the S.
| hour law bill, the trustee law. the en-
ployer's liability, the State Board of
Arbitration, and an amendment to the
child labor law.
At the afternoon session President
John Byrnes of Lewiston of the State
Textile Workers delivered his address.
He said in part:
In submitting my report as preSi-
| dent of the State Textile Workers,
| am pleased to report we have had no
serious strikes in the state during the
past year, so far as l have been able
| to learn. We have been successful in
getting some good labor legislation in
| the interest of the women and children
| of our State. and at the same time
we have been fortunate in blocking
some legislation that was detrimental
| to labor interests. ] am pleased to re-
port that the question of working after
6 o'clock at night when time has been
lost through shortage of water in the
mills of the city of Lewiston. has been
| settled satisfactorily to the operatives
We have taken a great responsibility
in coming here to legislate as it wera
for the hundreds and thousands of tex
tile workers of our State. Let each of
us remember the responsibility we have
taken upon ourselves and give the best
there is in us, so as the time rolls on
we can look back with pride to the
| work commenced at this convention.
We have passed through one Of the
longest depressions ever experienced
in the textile industry and in our State
it had double effect Curtailment of
production. which means the loss of
wages, was bad enough, but the reduc-
ton Aof wages to the amount of 10 per
cent. and in some instances more was
wicked. But / am glad to say that
there appears to be brighter prospects
in the future
There is a good field for organization
in our state and this work ought to be
taken up at once. / would suggest that
a state secretary and organizer be ap-
pointed and | feel that they would be
Of great value. To do this it would be
necessary to agree upon a per capita
tax of about 10 cents per month. This
| think would pay the salary and ex-
pcnseS.
In regard to the passage of the labor
measures in our State, we can con-
graduate ourselves upon the passage
of several good labor laws. In fact la
Dor has received more from the 74th
Legislature Just closed than from any
other Legislature for many years.
In conclusion President Byrnes
thanked the officers for their cooper
alton during the past year; also the To-
cal union for the kindnesses received.
The business session adjourned until
9 o'clock this morning and it is ex-
, pected that the session will last
through the day.
In the evening at o'clock a mass
meeting for textile workers was held
at the Central Labor Union hall and a
large number We're present. Addresses
j, We're made by John Golden Of Fal
River, national president of the Textile
Workers of America, and w. II. Wis
5 ner, general organizer, and severa
, others.