The Cotton Factory Times. — 1909-11-19 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

NOTES BY THE WAY. BY SCRUTATOR.  Speculators in cotton in America may think the talk about abort time working is MOM bluff. The Lancashire operatives, however, know only too truly that it is a serious reality. Their spending power has been seriously reduced, and many a household has had th revise its usual bill of fare. Short time is to go forward to February 28th. That is the recommendation of the Employers' Federation Committee.  This ia equivalent to stoppage, exclusive of holidays, of 185 hours, or nearly 31 working weeks. Roughly speaking this may be said to represent is Ices in wages per operative of £3 10s. Taking 10,000 vvorkpeople only, this means a reduction in the purchasing power of £35,000. Then the union funds will be affected, and the workers are now being asked to pay an extra levy. When we reckon it all up it, is sufficient to soften the heart of the hardest. Sonic firma do not like continuing this cutting down of the purchasing power of the workers, and arc comequently tempted to work longer time than is recommended by the Empkryers' Federation.  At the momesd employers are pulling long fa,ces. They say there is just now an almost entire absence of business. Their order books are running down, and unless there is a quirk. change a serious state of things will present Some employers are intimating their intention of closing down -altogether unksa relief comes by a fall in cotton values. It is said that merchants decline to take any risks with the high prises now ruling, aod will not advise their foreign customers to boy at the present high range of quotations. the average price of American cotton during the past has years being 61 per lb. We haw been in similar Atraits before, and we have pulled through all right. We shall do on on this occasion, although sa.,'•fioes will be required.  Amid all the saffering that has bad to be endured, and what in in store for Us, it. in sickening to hear suggestions that when the twelves months period expires next March, the employers may give notice for a 5 per cent. reduction in wages. It is necessary that good relations should exist between capital and labour in the cotton trade. That is the best way of meeting foreign competitors. By continuous working we give them no opening to get into our markets abroad, whereas by strikes and Ipekoute we merely play into their hands. It is to be hoped that wiser conne.els will prevail among employers. We all would like to nee a revival in trade, no that the possibility of internal trouble may be averted. The depleting of the markets of the world should have an effect. and when prices of the raw material come down to normal figure; we ought to have a renewed buying on a scale that will keep spindles and looms in full work for some years.  No one knows more about the cotton spinning trade conciliation proposals, or has had more to do with negotiations of various kinds with employers than Mr. Thomas Ashton, J.P., the veteran spindles's' secretary at Oldham. Last week be expressed himself as having little faith in the preparation of conciliation schemes to regulate affairs in the cotton trade. In other wards, he thinks that negotiations in this direction are a complete waste of time and money. It is stated that some of the employers' representatives have no confidence in anything coming out of the negotiations.  At a meeting last week Mr. Ashton referred to the eight hours day, saying be did not think the vote on the question would be such as to induce any Government to legislate. In fact, he was of the opinion that the change was tan much at one sweep, and pointed out that it meant to the spinner a loss of eleven shillings per week in wages. But if the workers cannot agree on going the whole bog, cannot they unite on going part of the way? Now is a grand opportunity for securing reduction in the working time. Employers admit that too many spindles and looms have been put down, and that many years will elapse ere production and consumption balance each other. Under these conditions cannot both parties agree to a uniform reduction of working time that will do something to relieve the distressing conditions which the trade has to face? s s  Years ago an employer used to say to his men, "Work on, men; the mom you get the more I get." There is no jealousy in such a spirit. Well, then, why should not the workers and employers in all departments of the cotton trade get together and confer as to the best method of doing something to place the trade on A better footing. Here is something practical to strive after. Both are equally interested, although both will look at the question front different points of view. One direction of Unproven-win, indicated by overproduction, is a curtailment of the working time. In this  direction we arc bound to go forward. And as we lead the way we set a good example to the employers and workers in other countries. In what way, then, should a curtailment of working time be effected? Suggestions have often been musk that the working week should commence at 8-30 instead of 6 o'clock, as now. In a number of trades the workers are allowed a little more breathing time on Monday morning. This certainly would be the simplest way of curtailment, because nothing in the present arrangement would be disturbed. The sooner the matter Ls taken in hand and tha:better.  No doubt we shall have the venal excuses and no on about foreign coutpetition and in. creasing the ccot of production. The workers' representatives can with safety be left to deal with such specimen arguments. The present short time working is in itself a sufficient answer to all pleadngs. The officials are levelheaded enough not to commit trade suicide. They have never shown a disposition in that direction, and are not likely to do. Besides, the workers have their all at stake. Their desire is to secure a more uniform system of working than has prevailed during the past few years. At a rotutd table conference there should not be much difficulty in focussing the position and coming to something Like an agreement.  A crusade against sweating ig going on in the brass slid kindred metal trades in Bi, mingham. Mr. W. J. Davies, secretary to the Operatives' society, gives the following typical instances of the state of things whieheitigts in tlris centre of enlightenment and progress:—  Two efficient cabinet braw founders working together on piecework earned in a 53 hours' week Ws. 10d. each. Out of this they had each a wife and family to maintain. A skilled workman employed in finishing brass weights earned in 0 week of 52 boors fib.  Amin and hie wife, both poliehers, employing eight undor-hancLs, earn between them 2,35. per  We axe .lostg way off the workers' milleznittal.