Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-19
Strikers Gain in Numbers But
Conduct, Thursday, Is Orderly.
Strike Leader Ettor Addresses
Mass Meeting on Common.
Offenders OF Law and Order Sum-
marily Dealt with.

Lawrence, MASS, Jan. IS.--lneEe WAS
an entire cessation of disorder in Law
renee today. The strike Of $4,000 mill
operatives passed it's seventh day with
added strength, but without the out
breaks which have characterized
nearly every day so far Orderly dem
onstrations We're held in greater num-
Der than previously, the strikers Of
fering indication of their strength, this
afternoon. by q monster parade, 5000
marching strikers, but the militia was
never called upon to use force.
The settlement of the strike may be
accomplished at any time. Definite
progress up to IA certain point has
been made by several volunteer medi-
ators, who have been labOring for the
past two days to bring the strikers
and the mill owners into line. Their
efforts have been successful. it is un-
derstnod, to the extent that the strik-
ers have abandoned their demands for
Is per cent. increase in wages and
will accept d settlement on the basis
of the retention by the mill owners of
the 56-hour wages under the new 3D.
hour law The mill owners also are
practically ready. it is understood,
TO enter a conference on this basis. 1t
is hoped by those Who have conducted
the negotiations that they will be sue
cessful in time to have the mills open,
Monday. for fun operation.
That the mills cannot longer con-
tinue partial operation of their plants
as ut present is the claim of the strik-
ers. This claim received added
strength, today. when a meeting OF
1900 English-speaking operatives ex-
pressed almost unanimous sentiment
in favor of joining the strike. At pres
eat the strikers are almost entirely
foreigners. No vote was taken on the
matter at this meeting, but the senti-
rnent as demonstrated by the words
of the speakers and the applause
which greeted them was unmistaka-
BILE rhe strikers assert, and persons
acquainted with the conditions IN
mills concur, that the loss of these OPP
eratives would seriously cripple the
mills This considerable addition to the
strike may develop. tomorrow. A Sc
we're blow is aimed at continuance OF
partial operations in the Wood mill,
the largest in the world under one
roof. by a movement to have the MEM
hers, there. join the strike. If TINS
movement is successful, il will tie up
the mill entirely and the mill will be
unable to fill its outstanding orders,
it is predicted.
Plans for carrying on the strike, ar
rangements for getting monetary assist
ance from other branches of the Indus
trial Workers of the World, which organ
ization is conducting the strike, and the
advisability of establishing soup stations
for the strikers, were discussed at strik-
ers' meetings during the day. While
these plans indicate preparations for a
long strike it is believed it is merely
preparation against the failure of the
present negotiations.
Today marked the first of three days
in which the mills will close up wage
accounts with the strikers Payment of
wages which were due the operatives VINE
are on strike at the Arlington mills IN
Methuen. was made, today, under armed
guard, without trouble of any kind. The
Wood, Aver and Washington mills. con-
trolled by the American Wooden Co.. adj
vertised, today, that their respective OPP
eratives will be paid at certain hours, to-
morrow and Saturday. These three mills
employ a total of nearly 1900 persons
The Arlington mills, which paid off, to-
day, employ 5000 persons. Other mills
also will pay off during the next lew
days
Il The investigation of alleged violations
Of the immigration and alien contract Ia
Dor laws, in connection with the entry
into this country of foreigners among
the mill employees in the. city, was contin-
ued, today. by Inspector F. G. r. Gordon
who came here, yesterday, on orders
from the immigration department al
Washington.
The citizen soldiers who are maintain
ing order in the mill district had ar
easier time, today, than on any since
they were called into the situation by
Mondays rioting. The latest of severa
cases of illness or injury among then
was that of Private Henry Beane of Co
M, 9th Reg, of LOWELL who was oper
ated upon, today, for acute appendicitis
He is reported as doing very well.
4 mass meeting OF 5000 strikers was
held on the common, this afternoon
ard the appearance of the strike lead
err, Joseph ]. Eftor, in the bandstano
Continued on Page Twelve.)