The Cotton Factory Times. — 1906-03-30 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER /V. • MURDER.  The shades of evening shrouded Overdone Grange once again, and in drawing-room and billiard-room, Sir George Conway's guests were merry enough, the sounds of laughter and talking, reaching the oar of Esther Gilroy. whose little charge was asleep, so that she was free to leave the child's room, and going across the hall she had paused for a moment, standing in the attitude of listening. She had promised to pay the housekeeper a visit, but the recollection of her intention seemed suddenly to have passed from her mind, as with an uplifted hand, across which was a strip of white sticking plaster, she waited midway in the hall. There had been footsteps on the gravelled path. The hurried steps of someone who had suddenly stopped, and she could hear the muffled tones of men speaking. one of whom had uttered a sharp ejaculation as if in horror. Then there wise the hasty ring.  The chairman and the secretary (Mr. William Marsland) were chosen to represent the amalgamation at the next meeting of the Federation of Trade Unions, to be held at Portsmouth. The question of providing a suitable memorial to the former secretary, Mr. James Mawdsley, who held the position for twenty-four years, was further conaidered, but no definite conclusion was arrived at. Along with the Employers Federation the representati,es of the Executive Council have for a considerable time been endeavouring to amend that part of the Brooklands Agreement which relates to bad spinning, and the meeting agreed to give the following proposal, which had emanated from the employers, a six months' trial:— When a settlement has been arrived at by the Federation and Amalgamation Committee in a bad-spinning complaint, and there be any further cause for complaint within three months of that date, then the Federation and Spinners' Amalgamation shall appoint from the joint committee which has previously dealt with the ease one or two persons to inspect the spinning within a period of three days. Where practicable the same persons shall be appointed. In the event of these persona failing to bring about a settlement, then a joint meeting of the Federation and Amalgamation Sub-committees shall be called within three days of either party requesting the same. Should such joint meeting not be able to arrive at a settlement then the operatives shall have the right to tender notice to cease work on any making-up day within twenty-one days from the date of such joint meeting. Should notices not be tendered w;thin twenty-one days then any further complaint lip to the expiration of the three months shall be dealt with as hereinbefore provided, After three months from the first settlement any complaint shall be considered to be a new ease to be dealt with in accordance with Clause 6 of the Brooklands Agreement relating to bad spinning.  It WM decided that the levy of one penny per• member in connection with the Moasley twiner/ dispute be discontinued owing to the fact that there are sufficient funds in hand to meet the claims for a further eighteen months.  The meeting after a short discussion resolved to subscribe £5O to the relief which has been opened by the Lord Mayor of Manchester in relation to tho French mining disaster.