The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-07-12


living came of convincing some OF
the foreign-born mill operatives that
they were being treated unjustly by
their employers.
Again he knew that the more pub
licity these radical uplifters and re-
formers obtained, the more important
they invariably represented themselves
to be to their misguided followers.
What the general public did not
know was that these crafty, false
leaders were for the most part in
sincere and realized they could OBJ
tain a better and easier living by
fomenting trouble than by working
in the mills like those they msled.
1t was Lawrence that had to stand
the gaff of this undesirable publicity.
The very diversified makeup OF its
population, their lack of common
tongue, of common interests laid
them wide open to the Vaccinations
of false leaders who instead of help
ing them to adopt American stand
ards of life and labor, found it more
profitable to keep them Immersed in
their racial prejudices. mistrusts and
Misunderstanding
Fortunately for the mill workers,
economic forces, the power of educa-
ton to break down prejudices and
the patient guidance of the mill own
efs have side-tracked most of these
false leaders.
They found 1t too difficult to con-
vince mill operatives who were CIV
en- steady employment and abundant
wages they were the victims of in
justice. With prosperity had come
contentment. The false leaders read
the handwriting on the wall and fold
ing their tents like the Arabs silent
ly faded from the community.
What is true among Lawrence mill
workers and their forsaking of false
leaders for the security of content
ment and prosperity, holds true among
New England mill workers generally.
The wages that make the Lawrence
mill operatives of today happy and
prosperous are met by New Bedford,
Fall River, Lowell, Manchester and
Nashua in New Hampshire, the mill
towns and cities of the Blackstone
valley and in Providence, Woonsock-
ct, Central Falls and other textile
centers in Rhode Island.
The same working conditions are
Appropriated, the same standards Of
living prevail. With the slight ex-
ception that the standards in welfare
betterment and equipment set by the
American Wooden Company in its
Lawrence mills, put the mill workers
in other mills throughout New Eng
land.
Lawrence is taken as an example
in this article because Lawrence thru
the efforts of that same American
Wooden Company has become the lead
er in advanced methods of produc-
ton and in handling labor among the
textile centers of New England.
1t is to Lawrence, the victim of
Misrepresentation in the past, the
bell-wether city of New England tex
tiles today. one naturally goes for a
survey of present day conditions
among the textile workers of New
England.
This article holds no brief for either
mill owners or mill workers. 1t Is
an honest attempt to chronicle con-
ditions as they are. II 1t tends to
show mill workers are contented,
happy, prosperous residents of BOOM
ing New England, it Is solely be-
cause the survey of conditions in
Lawrence go to prove those facts.
People are happy and contented or
unhappy and dissatisfied according to
the conditions which govern their
work. Given good wages, pleasant
working conditions, agreeable sur
roundings and reasonable hours and
one finds happy. contented workers.
When the work Is steady with no
long periods of idleness, than condi-
lions for the workers are ideal.
Lawrence mill workers earn good
wages. To work As. hours a week is
no hardship. Many Of us wish our
days were as short.
The Lawrence mill workers start
the day at 7.20 am. They have an
hour at midday for lunch a-S rec
reation. They quit at p. ID. Sat
urday afternoons they enjoy half holt
days.
In Lawrence and other cities and
towns of Massachusetts the state de-
crees the mill workers shall not work
more than As hours a week. In Rhode
Island and New Hampshire, the Leg
islatures have fixed 81 hours as con-
stituting a full weeks work. The
American Wooden Company sets the
working hours i'm five other states,
As hours in all it's New England mills
against state laws of 81 hours.
The surroundings of the mill work
ers today are exceptionally pleasant
Mills are clean. fresh-aired, we'll
lighted and equipped with every mod
ern convenience and device. These
devices insure the comfort and well
fare of the operatives whose duty
it is to watch carefully the many
costly ard intricate mechanical de-
vices used in producing goods.s
The nature of the work requires
plenty of light. ample room and var
jSus ways and means of protection
against every possible form of acct
dent.
Sanitary, bright airy mills ARE re-
CURED today because many of the
fabrics are of such delicate nature
they require every protection during
4 f,a t.y.n