Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-16

March 10. 1slo.-At Fort Edward min.
March II, 1910.-At Fall Mountain
mill.
March 81. 1910-At Otis and Woods
Falls mills.
March %. I9l0.-At Lake George mill.
March 20, 1910.--At Winnlpiseegee
mill.
April 4. 19l0.-At Glen and Piercefeld
mills.
No strikes have occurred since that
date.
MI,rch ~, 19i0.-The company re-
ceived a letter from the president of the
Papermakers' union setting forth the
reason for calling the strike Up to
this time, the company mad not received
any demands from the men who left its
service.
March IA, l9l0.-The directors anG
officers of the company issued a circular
TO all of its present and former en-
plopes, pointing out that the manage
ment of the company had in mind the
best interests of the men in its service,
asking the men to cooperate with the
company in order to bring about ~condi-
, lions that would justify higher rates of
pay and informing all efficient and con-
sentative men then striking that by ap-
plying TO their superintendent. they
could secure Unemployment without pre-
judice while vacancies remained.
In closing. the company submits for
the consideration of the board its con-
illusions as to the causes which brought
about the present strike:
1st.-By calling off the 1908 strike.
the Papermakers organization was, In
reality, declaring a truce to be in erect
until the Papermakers' union had put it.
self into fighting condition again.
end.--The Papermakers' union believ-
ed the 1905 strike was lost because
they were opposed, not only by the COM
many. hut also by the Pulpmakers' un-
ion, and they supposed, with the assis-
lance of the Pulpmakers' union' they
could successfully terminate conflict
with the company.
3rd.--Previous to the strike of 1908.
trade unionism was in supreme control
of the company's plants. Unless goi''v
of a most fragrant offense. every en-
ploye of the company was practically
free from danger of discharge. As was
repeateiiy stated by them. the Paper
makers took their orders from their
union president. and not from their
company supesiors
4th.-After the 1908 strike. the cont
pany established proper discipline in It's
mills This was radical change from
old conditions and was objected to ny
many employees, particularly those VINO
had been prominent in the strike and
who felt they were being punished for
their activity against the company.
| 5th..-The officers of the Paper and
PUP unions which have been pracu-
cally one since June, 1909 have busted
themselves spreading discomfort among
the conipanys employees and stirring up
arimosity against the company and it's
management. These officers persuaded
the men that they would be forced back
upon two shifts and that their wages
would be reduced unless they were pro-
tected by a strong labor union
Gth.--When bringing about strike ut
any of the mills. without exception the
labor officers have notified the men that
tie strike would be only matter of n
few days, a week at the most. and that
il amounted to a short vacation ana
then everything they could desire. when
they went back to work
7th.-The labor officers have miscon-
strued every act of the company taken
to establish discipline. as an act of per-
secution. The numerical strength of
, the labor unions has been decreasing
: since the last strike and the union 'offis
| Gals were faced with the necessity OF
stirring up trouble in order to rehabil-t
| itate themselves.
Sth.--'rhe fundamental cause, of the
strike is therefore the question of the
recognition Of the Papermakers' union.
That organization has been proved ire
sponsible. Its officers are the same in
dividuals who brought about the strike
of 1908. These men had realized that
they had forfeited the privilege of car
rying on peaceable dealings with tho
company and, believing that their only
success lay in force. they have planned.
precipitated and are now carrying on
the present strike.