Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-22
Strikers Answer
The Mill Owners.

ply to the open letter OF President
William NJ Wood of the American
Wooden Co, who claimed that the OPP
eratiyes had left his mills without no.
tifying him. the strikers committee
tonight declared that this was not
the fact. but that they attempted to
confer with the agents of the mills
and that finally a letter was address
ed to President Wood and sent to his
Boston address. In their letter issued.
tonight, the strikers reiterate their
demands for 10 per cent. increase in
wages. abolition of the bonus system.
double pay for overtime work and no
discrimination against those who have
been active in the strike. Their state
ment follows:
THE strikers committee OF the
striking textile workers of the Amer
lean Wooden Co, to President w. NJ.
Wood.
Sir: We, a committee OF the
strikers. take this means of answer
ing a statement published in papers
in this city and elsewhere with your
name attached. 1t is our intention to
be as brief as possible in dealing with
your open letter.
Thursday morning, Jan. 3. 1912,
committee called upon the agents OF
the Aver, Wood and Washington
mills, and endeaYored to hold con-
ference with these gentlemen and so
come to peaceful understanding con-
corning the demands of the workers.
Two of the agents refused to have
dealings with the committee while
the other advised the committee to
write or consult with YOU at your
Boston office. As result of the above
advice. the committee sent letter TO
your address containing the demands
of tile workers. but for some reason
or other. the letter was not answered.
Previous to the strike. the Italian tex
tile workers held several meetings which
were largely attended, and they We're
very clear in their demands We are of
the opinion that you have had ample
time to consider the demands of the men,
women and children who have made the
American Wooden Co. what it is, today.
an view of the fact that machinery
has been improved the workers turn out
more and more work but they are not
paid accordingly, even though the price
of food, clothing and shelter has in
many cases increased so or even 100 per
cent. in the last few years.
I'VE. the committee. are willing to
meet the officers of the company at any
time and submit the grievances of the
strikers. If you believe in a square deal
you will not refuse to meet with us, but
will come at once and try TO bring this
trouble to a conclusion. You must bear
in mind the fact that these men, women
and children have not gone on strike for
light or transient reasons, but because
they could no longer bear UP under the
burdens laid on their shoulders. 1t seems
TO us and to the strikers that as the
American Wooden Co. has within the last
few years built several large factories
which are paid for, according to your
own figures, and the company has even
in the worst of times managed to pay
dividends to its stockholders, that it has
come to this; the workers are of the
opinion that the only competition left is
the struggle among themselves for a
miserable job at six, seven or eight dol
lars week And they feel fortunate
when they manage TO hold down such i
lowpaid set of jobs.
"You speak of men from out of town,
who know nothing of the textile indus
try. We the committee. would like q
know If the militia. the special police
men and the Pinkerton detectives recent
ly brought into this city, know anything
about the textile industry except to bay
onet and club honest workingmen into
submission?
''Your attention is called to the fact
that all the mills of this city are more
or less affected So this committee de
sires the news spread broadcast thai
there is a general strike on in Lawrence
against the slavery of the textile work
ers and united opposition against the
starvation wages of the past,
Here are the demands of the strikers
Fifteen per cent. increase in wages
"2-Abohshment of bonus or premium
system,
'3-pouble pay for overtime work.
'4-No discrimination against striker.
for activity during the strike.
THE STRIKERS COMMITTEE. +"
AT a secret meeting held in Loom Fix
ers' hail. this evening, representatives OF
the strikers refused to agree to the prop
osition as put forward by the citizens
committee that operatives from the diff
ferent mills confer with their respectiv,
agents. declaring that it might result in
the settling of differences at some Of tbs
mills and not at others, and in conse
quence breaking the ranks of the strik
ers. AT the close of the meeting, whiei
lasted until midnight, Joseph j. Ettor
the strike leader. gave out statemen
in which ne said that the meeting ha,
voted to send a committee to Justin r
! Varney, head of the citizens committee
and through him to notify the mil
agents that the operatives are willing t
treat with them in body, but not 9th
il