Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-14
Terms Mill Owners
Course Most High
handed in History
Address at Manchester Similar
to Sunday Utterances in
Rhode Island-Woman Sec
rotary of United Textile
Workers Also Talks to Big
Audience Strikers

Manchester. n. H., March 10
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, adj
dressing thousands of striking textile
workers here today, sale:
THE issuance of a proclamation by
textile mill owners, announcing a re-
duction in wages and lcngthening of
working hours, without consultation
with the workers, has been the most
high handed transactions l have ever
known in the history of industrials."
Mr.. Gompers was met at the station
by the leading officials of the strike,
accompanied by 500 strikers. Mr..
Gompers was accompanied by Mrs.
sara Conboy, secretary treasurer Of
the United Textile Workers. A pro-
posed street demonstra ton was omit
ted owing to the lack of time and the
federation president was whirled
away to the largest hall in the city
! shortly after o'clock. The hall was
! filled to overlooking and thousands
of strikers filled the streets on the
outside of the building.
The address of the federation presi-
dent was mainly n repetition of his
speech in Rhode Island. He declared
that the workers had permitted the
textile officials to think that they had
, no interest in the mill companies, and,
believing in the ignorance of the
workers. the owners had promulgat-
ed the reduction of wages and in
crease in working hours.
This is not only your fight said
Mr.. Gompers, but it is the fight of
the entire country. The eyes of every
textile center in the country are upon
New Hampshire and Rhode Island No
victory can come without sacrifice. If
YOU can find bread to feed the wom-
en- and children, the men are then
free to make their fisht for industrial
principles. Victory then will surely
be yours"
In her address to the strikers, Mrs.
Conboy said
"On the question of the hours, there
is nothing to arbitrate. On wages. lot
them up and show Us what their
profits are and if they show us they
can't operate without a loss, we will
; take our loss with them"
Manchester is the only industrial
center in New Hampshire to be visit
ed by Mr. Gompers. who left immed-
lately after his address for Lowell,
Mass, where he speaks tonight. There
were delegations from Somersworth,
Dover and Nashua here today to take
part in the meeting.
The strike leaders have received
word from Congressman Sherman
F.. Burroughs that he will be unable
| to demand federal probe of the
textile conditions in New Hampshire,
declaring that such probe would con-
fuse the issues and delay settle
ment.
The police have quietly suppress
cd two planned Polish meetings which
We're to have been addressed by
delegate from Michigan. The police
found bunch of circulars in tailor
shop calling attention to the propos-
ed meeting. The committee getting
up the meetings stated that the is
sue was q religious one. The police
! insisted that nothing nut EnSllSh-
should be spoken from the platform.
The Michigan speaker therefore left
town, and the meetings were cancell-
ed.
Mrs. Gwendolyn Glendower Evans
remained in Manchester until late
this afternoon. She called upon mill
heads. talked at meetings of strikers
and interviewed the chief of notice
Mass picketing is now in order at
the mill gates and entrances. The
force of pickets has been increased
from 700 to 1900. The strike leaders
state that the increase in pickets is
principally due to the desire to give
all strikers a tour of duty" Peace
so far reicns on the street. in the
vicinity of the mills, and at strike
headquarters.