Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-16

kind and the extra police stationed at
the n2ill gates had no trouble in main
tanning order.
The corporations affected by the
strike We're the Acushnet, Booth
Bristol, Dartmouth, Gosnold. Grinnell
Hathaway, Pierce Brothers. Ltd
Pierce Manufacturing Co, Potomaka
Wamsutta. These corporations employ
an aggregate of about 1900 operatives
1t was estimated by observers at the
mill gates that more than half of the
operatives remained away from the
mills. All of the unions have not yet
Joined the strike. as they are awaiting
official sanction from their national
organizations before quitting work.
The machinery in the mills was
started at the usual time, today, and
many of the weaVers and the loom
fixers, whose work is dependent upon
the operation of the looms, were on
hand when the gates opened. When
they found that the notice announc-
ing the establishment of the grading
system had not been removed, they
promptly left their looms. AS the
weavers and loom fixers emerged from
the mills they We're cheered by the
crowds that were waiting outside.
With the single exception of the
weavers' union, which is an indie
pendent organization, all of the craft
organizations represented in the mills
are affiliated with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor These craft or
ganizations include the spinners, the
carders the loom fixers and others.
There are also about 1900 operatives
who are members of the Industrial
Workers of the World and who have
voted to declare a general strike
against the mills. There is also "a
large proportion of operatives who are
not members of any labor union but
who ordinarily follow the lead of the
union workers.
The textile industry in New Bed
ford is conducted by 30 corpora
tions, operating 2,935.264 spindles and
81 $50 looms in 81 mills. employing 3D.
600 operatives. Some of these mills
manufacture yarns only while others
are not affected by the strike because
the notices announcing the establish
ment of the grading system either
have been removed or else were not
posted
The II corporations against which the
strike has been declared operate 1,1iS.-
060 spindles and $685. looms in 81 mills,
employing nearly 1890 operatives. The
grading system against which the weav-
ers protest establishes different prices
for first and second grade work. and
replaces the filming system under which
the weavers were fined for every imper-
lection in the cloth woven on their
looms.
The total estimated weekly payroll in
the Il mills affected is $4,000. Although
the strike. today. was confined officially
only to the weavers. the loomfixers and
the Industrial Workers of the World OPP
eratives, many of the workers belonging
to other craft unions remained away
from the mills. The Carders Union plan
ned to hold a meeting. tonight to take
action and the question of striking and
a meeting of the Spinners' Union will
be held. tomorrow, for the same pur-
pose.
Up to 10 O'Clock there had been no re-
ports of any disorder growing out of
the tsrike. As matter of precaution a
large force of police was on duty near
the various mills. 1t was generally be-
lieved that there would be no outbreaks
before the other unions had taken ac-
tion on the matter of declaring a SYM
pathetic strike.
A committee representing the In
dustrial Workers of the World called
at the headquarters of the Textile
Council. tonight, and conferred with
President Ioiln Holm They asked
that all union differences be cast
aside and that the operatives unite
in one body to make the strike more