Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-01

juStment of wages which in no case
will be less than per cent. increase,
to take effect, March 4, was announc-
ed by President William Whitman of
the Arlington Mills, tonight. Accord
ing to Alderman Michael S. O'Brten,
who interviewed the mill owners with
Mayor Scanlon. yesterday and today.
a similar announcement will be made
by other mills. tomorrow, probably.
The statement from the Arlington
Mills officials Was given to the public
within few minutes of l from Al
derman Michael s. O'Brien, who with
Manor Michael a. Scanlon and the
remainder of the city government,
conferred with representatives of the
American Wooden Co, Arlington and
Pacific Mills and the United States
Worsted Co, in Boston, today. Alder
man O'Brien said in his statement
that THE officials promised to make
certain concessions TO their employees
Immediately, but the nature OF these
concessions. he said, he would leave
to the mill officials.
The statement from the Arlington
Mills, which is signed by Pres. VIM.
Whitman, Treas Franklin w. Hobbs
and Agent William d. Hartshorne,
tells of conditions in the textile husi-
ness and the new Massachusetts law
decrea sing the labor time in mills and
factories from So to 50 hours week,
SAYS:
"A readiustment of wages will be made
upon comparative basis as to oceupa-
tions. involving increases in the rates
now paid by the hour and by the piece
Il ~ hq p01lifADiN al
iusted according to the classes of work
ers and their earnings. and in no case
to be less than per cent. The new
schedule of wages will go into effect
Monday March 4, 1912.
I'VE hope to furnish our people steady
employment and shall welcome back and
give work as rapidly as possible to any
of our old employees, without diserimina-
ton. who apply for work on or before
Wednesday, March s, 1872
When the conference between Mayor
Scanlon, Alderman O'Brien and the mill
officials broke up in Boston, today, t
was stated that nothing definite had been
accomplished, but later in the afternoon
it was reported that the mill officials
would grant a 5 per cent. wage increase.
Alderman 0Brien's statement tonight,
follows:
An ail-day conference which Mayor
Scanlon and | had with the mill officials
in Boston, Wednesday, was continued
until 1880 Thursday morning. The lat
ter conference was attended by the entire
city government. After being in session
with the representatives of the American
Wooden Co, the Arlington and Pacific
mills and the United States Worsted Co
until $50 in the evening, the officials
promised to make certain concessions Il
their employees Immediately. Owing 10
the fact that the adjustment of wages Is
essentially an internal matter between
employer and employees, proper regard
for courtesy eompels me TO allow tbs
mill officials to make known the eXaei
concessions to the employees"
rhe statement given out by the Ar.
lington Mills was, in full, as follows:
Arlington Mills Statement.
During the past two years our bus
mess has yielded no profit. Less thar
one half of our machinery has beer
operated. This was caused by condi-
tions beyond our control. During TINS
period of depression wages were mol
reduced The smaller earnings OF oul
work people were caused by lack o.
continuous and full employment, whlcf
we were unable to furnish, very mucf
TO our regret and greatly to our loss
'.,fhe effect of the law prohibiting
the employment of women and minors
in Massachusetts more than "a houfs
weekly was to change the running time
of our mills, where so many Womei
and minors find employment, from o.
to "a hours per week. This reduction
in the hours of labor increased tht
fixed charges of our mills consedueh
upon diminished output, at least s-H
per cent and also reduced the eafhlnl
power of our work people in the same
proportion.
Massachusetts mills are handicap
ned by the fact that longer hours o.
labor are permitted in other and at
Joining states In addition to these j
is also a fact that higher wages are
now paid in the worsted mills in Law
renee than in those of any other man
ufacturing center in the United states
The demand for our products has re-
Gently increased, but markets are un
settled. The selling values of oul
products in proportion to their cost'
are dDHOTIlidlly INV eihN
| Their affected by adverse tariH regis
! lation We believe, therefore, that &C
tual business conditions do not war
rant an increase in wages at the pres
, ent time.
Notwithstanding these facts, WI
recognize that labor condltlohs IL
Lawrence have not been norman AM
! that the ultimate welfare of the city
it's citizens, it's mills and their opera
| tives. and of the whole common
wealth, are in a great measure oe
| pendent upon the restoration OF Tor
! mer contented labor
| "a special committee OF the Lesisi''
| ture and many representatives OF iapol
+! churches, city and state. have cohieffe
/ nth the mill managers of Lawrence I
I help them restore such conditions, an
we appreciate the efforts all these asei
! cies have made for the common good. w
! especially appreciate the faithfuiness an
j loyalty of our employees, OF whom NOR
| than 20 per cent voluntarily nave re
| turned to work and thus enabled us I
! maintain our organization and to srea
| extent operate our mills and retain gu
l