Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-26
MADISON LABOR
Nearly 600 Attend
Meeting Of Union At
Pastime Theatre

| Madison, Me, Feb. 25.-(SpeciaD-
Madison citizens responded to the in
vitation of organized labor to attend a
mass meeting Sunday afternoon, In
such numbers that the Pastime theater
which has seating capacity of nearly
900 persons was filled to overlooking
The meeting was called to order at go
O'Clock by acting chairman H. r. Pier
pont. In chairs reserved at the front
were President Smith of the Maine
State Federation, and Patrick Fitzger-
aid of Augusta and treasurer OF the
State organizations; Rev. James S.
Clarke, FIR. NJ. E. Curran and Rev. VIM.
Wood. Mr.. Pierpont in calling the
meeting to order, stated that erroneous
impressions seemed to have gotten
abroad in regard TO the position of the
local labor unions have taken in re-
gard to the strike in the Madison
wooden mill and it was to correct these
impressions that the meeting was
! called.
F. The singing Of the national anthem
was followed by Scripture reading and
prayer by Rev. VIM. Wood. The first
speaker was Mr.. Fitzgerald, VINO told
briefly of what union labor stands for
end what it has accomplished in the
State of Maine. He also told or events
at the Augusta hearing when tenn
porary injunction was granted at the
request of the Madison Wooden Com
pany against 40 members OF Madison
labor unions
/ Rev. J. >. sClalk said he was firm
friend OF laboring men and women, as
he was a laboring man himself. He
said he was . friend OF capital IS each
was needed for the welfare OF the other.
He then expressed the wish that the
difficulties which caused the strike
nine weeks ago might be submitted to
arbitration.
+ Rev. VIM. Wood referred t. the.
! statement sometimes made that clergy
men did not belong to the labo"ins
class but allowed that if his hearers
were obliged to do the work of the
ordinary clergyman they would be glad
to resume their regular occupations.
Mr.. Wood expressed the wish that
while he knew hut little as to the
causes of the strike, the strikers would
make some public statement, also that
arbitration might he brought about.
I FIR. NJ. l.. curran stated that he had
been resident of Madison for the past
eight years and in that time had never
seen anything to indicate that the
: citizens We're not as law abiding as
Gould be found in any place and that
he should he happH to testify TO the
fact at any time or place. He said the
nearest approach TO rioting he had see,
had been on one occasion several years
ago when a group of Italians At work
on the State road had struck for their
pay.
Pres. Smith Of the State orGaniZa ton
said the union had done all in its power
to have the difficulties submitted 70
arbitra ton, but that Superintendent
Scott. representing the Madison Wool
en- Co.. had absolutely refused TO con-
slider the proposition, saying his de-
cision was absolute.
Tennis Arsneault, president of the
local textile union. told briefly what
had caused the strike and confirmed
the statement of Pres. Smith in regard
, to arbitration efforts. Mr.. Smith later
stated that in spite of reports to the
contrary the State federation stood
. squarely behind the local union. and
would continue to give it financial aid
to the limit.
Other speakers were r. c. Clark Of
the +. c. Clark Co.; Fl. A. Johnson.
chairman of the board of selectmen;
G.. w. F. Merrill Postmaster q. n. Dill
worth. ID. H. Sawyer. manager OF the
local A. p. Store; Frank Flanders, and
Harry Gee. After discussion as TO
the ACCESSIBILITY of the move. on motion
OF Rev. j. s. Clark it was voted that
the chairman appoint a committee Of
five citizens to ask Superintendent
Scott to reconsider his decision in re-
Rev. VIM. Wood Rev. NJ. f. Curran. Fl.
\. Johnson, and o. II. Dilworth were
appointed. 1t was hoped that a con-
ference could be held sometime Mon
day.
In a short interview with the Journal
correspondent, Thos. +. Mcmahon, first
vice president of the Textile Workers
of America. stated emphatically that
the strike was not settled and that it
was now a case Of dlscrimina ton
against the union. Mr. Mc:lanou said
that not only the resources of the
Maine organization would be used but
the entire resources of organized labor
in all New England would he brought
to bear on the situation if necessary.
The following statement has been is
sued by Mr.. McMahon and the local
strike committee:
This trouble could have been avoid
cd had the management lived up to our
agreement which says that no discrimi
nation shall take place. We tried to
have the management accept arhitra
ton IN any form that would be agree
able to their company and by any three
men that might he accepted or appoint
ed BY the Governor supreme court. or
any neutral party. This was refused
bv the company. The men and women
Of the Madison mill are anxious to have
the strike settled but il must be settled
fairly The strikers are willing to have
any citizen or citizens of Madison sug-
cest way TO bring the strike to an
amiable conclusion. All they want is
that their fellow citizens should know
and understand that the strikers are
doing nothing that would bring a blush
of shame to any inhabitant Of the town.
They want Justice and Justice they will