The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-03-08
big But Quiet Demonstration in
Lawrence Today
WAS NO SERIOUS TROUBLE
All Approaches to the Factories Were
Lined with Pickets, and the Mills
Made No Gains in the Number
of Workmen.

Lawrence, Mass. March S-The strk-
in4 textile workers made big but quiet
demonstration this morning prior to the
opehing of the mills. Thousands of
men and women paraded Essex street
aud the streets leading to the mills, and
ail the approaches to the factories We're
llned with pickets. No trouble OF Sc
rious nature was reported during the
early morning, and only few arrests
were made
T Ne marked increase in the number of
operatives returning to work was not
ed although apparently the working
fcrce maintained its strength 1t was
stated at the Pacific mills that many
OF the operatives, who were intimidated
aftel leaving the mills last night, did
not return to work to-day. The Amer
lean Wooden Co.'S officials claim big
gains in the number of weavers at work
Edward Riley, one of the committee
OF nine. representing the strikers OF the
American Woolen company, who met
with President Wood yesterday, said
that the officials agreed to have ready
in two days plan Of the proposed slid
ing scale OF wages which provides for
an average increase of per cent.
which would show the amount of tho
wage advance in dollars and cents. Thi.
schedule viii be presented to the strik-
ers for consideration and an effort will
be made also to reach an agreement
IN regard to The premium system now in
force at most OF the Lawrence mills.
Under the present system operatives
are offered bonus for exceeding GER
tain amount Of work completed at the
enG Of four weeks. President Wood
agreed, said Mr. Riley, in addressing
mass meeting of strikers in Franco
Belgian hall. to offer the premium for
two weeks work and and then let two
weeks 20 by without any premium. The
strike committee asked that the premi
uni be offered for one week at a time
to be followed by three weeks with
out any bonus President Wood said
he would take the matter under con
sideration. Mr. Riley added that a bet
ter understanding seemed to have been
reached all around and that the strik-
ers might have to make few con-
eessions on their part in order to bring
about a settlement of the dispute which
has crippled the textile industry in this
city for two months.
4 clear understanding of the proposed
increase in wages by the mill agents
was also reached by the strike commit
tee. said Mr. Riley President Wood
told the committee that the 5 per cent.
increase would apply to those employed
who receive rs high as $l5 a week.
For those who receive the lowest rate
OF pay, the increase would be between
II and Is per cent, according to Mr..
Riley's report.
a few hours before the meeting there
was a disturbance on the streets near
by. that for time threatened serious
crowd of about a thous-
and strikers and sympathizers intercept
ed operatives coming from work in the
Pacific mills. and in the midst Of much
hooting some Of the operatives were at
tackled. The trouble was confined to
fisticuifs hut the police were unable to
disperse the crowd and sent in a call
for help from the militia A squad of
thrty-fve men from the first corps of
cadets came on the double quick and
the crowd without being
obliged to use force. Another crowd
pf 500 persons gathered at the corner
Df Valley and Hampshire streets to
intercept other operatives returning from
work. but seventeen policemen We're able
10 break up the group before any harm
developed