Year: 1876

none OF Their business whether Valley Falls, Fan
RIVER ana other places were paying more than the
Lonsdaie company. He was willing to hear from any
person who was in favor OF going to work for their
cause was surely not just Il il could not stand
argument from any one man named Harcrust said
that he after the women had come and sbond
not go IN until they willing to return He hod
worked nineteen years for the company, and having
been away, he was able TO say that he could secure
work for himself and ten others elsewhere An.
plause.l II he returned TO work again he would not
stay more than long enough TO secure work elsewhere
he never could be reconced to the injustice of his
employers. He hoped all would stay out and share
their last crust Great applauso


The Chairman told them Il was their place to decide
again whether they would so 10 work on Monday or
remain out Mooney accordingly made notion
which Was seconded that they go 10 work on Monday
Cries OF "Nol" ''Nol" Kisses aud dersive laughter
followed and the excitement equal TO that OF yes
then called for hand vote OF those who were not in
favor OF going TO work. and every hand was raised
amid general and vociferous applause.


Ihanks were then voted TO Providence man, VINO
had presented contribution of money, after which
the meeting adjourned to Monday next at O'Clock.


The Chairman of the meeting called at the Office
OF the Goddard Brothers this afternoon II they
had concluded to do anything by way OF compromise.
Unfortunately, they werc busy He concluded TO re.
peat his visit this evening.


INTERVIEW WITH THE GODDARD BROTHERS


An interview was had later this afternoon by James
II. Lewis with the Goddard Brothers, the Lonsdale
manufacturers his object being to get some authorita
tive declaration from them regards their attitude
upon the present strike. The points ELECTED from tho
Goddard Brothers their statement that they
not, like many small manufacturers, without much
resources but have plenty Of ability 10 stand shut
down. and justification of this reduction they
that the operatives will realize the necessity which
compelled them TO do 1t when they understand that
the goods OF the company to-day piled n the New
York market without sale, and that they have
great quantity OF prints on hand which cost
them from five TO six cents and which they
are obliged to sell for four or four and half cents
The interview took place at the Providence Office OF
Goddard Brothers, in the presence of Thomas and
William Goddard and Professor William Gamewell the
latter one OF the company, and who is married TO the
daughter of the late Robert ii. Ives, the richest
woman in America through having inherited the vast
estate OF her father Mr. Lewis was received very
kindly and the Messrs. Goddard freely communicated
their views; Referring to the terrible depression IN
business, William Goddard said the company were
Obliged u close their mills or make a reduction They
were under the painful necessity OF doing tho latter
The mills are now running at a loss. Therefore, the
help ought to be content with reduction Of wages
I'll business improved In regard to the statement
by the operative Ramsden a recent meeting that the
company were making profit OF four cents per yard
MT Goddard pronounced 1t false and declared that they
are satisfied TO make zone cent profit" Ramsden's
statement about the companys free reading and
library at Lonsdae not being solely for the benefit Of
the help was also denied, and Mr.. Goddard said the
little income devoted to the purchase Of books
OF the


PRESENCE PROVIDENCE POLICE


at Lonsdae, Mr. Goddard stated that they were sent
there, not because OF any ear of The help themselves
but TO prevent any OUTSIDE interference from unruv
persons, and to protect the people going TO and from
their places OF employment ri reply TO the question
OF Mr. Lewis, if the company have altered their nten
tons regard to the reduction OF wages Mr. Goddard
said decidedly that they could not under any crcum-
stances withdraw from the reduction The only aterna-
tive to shutting down the mills in reducing the pay.
He referred to the strike Blackstone, which has just
ended and said the mule spinners struck there, and
the very next morning tko company closed the mills.
The people OF Lonsdae should be thankful the mills
here we're not closed upon them, too, the moment
they made the strike The mills, on the contrary
are open TO the help whenever they wish to return,
and he said the sooner they 60 back the bet
ter 1t will be for themselves As for the company, they
had money enough to last over the strike and were
not like smaller firms. The Lonsdae Company
manufacturers OF the first class and could stand the
pressure of the strike better than others They
pay more than the average wages in other places At
this period in the interview Thomas Goddard made the
remark that he thought the times would never be
good as they were in The past until dollar IN currency
Is equal In value TO dollar in specie He also stated
in further explanation of the reduction at Lonsdae that
before taking that step the company had studied the
situation thoroughly to what IL would be best TO do
shut down the mills or reduce the wages One or tho
other was necessary and rather than throw over 5000
people out of employment they concluded to keep their
mills running at reduced pay until business would i'm
prove and warrant the restoration TO the original
wages. William Goddard further said that for years
one of their mills no III had been running at loss
and there Is on hand large quantity of muslin
manufactured IN Berkeley which the company have to
sell at


GREAT DEAL BELOW COST


They have also great lot OF print goods which cost
them from five ard half to six cents but which they
compelled sell for four and four and half
cents He sorry the help did not look at the mat
ter Units proper light and thought If they would read
the papers and the state OF business they would
understand the company better and not persist in their
strike. When they saw that thousands OF men were
idle in various parts OF the country, and Offering
their services for as low fty and seventy Eve cents


day, they ought to the folly Of leaving their work
at this season Of the year He said the company had
done everything TO make their help comfortable that
their tcnements ranked among the best in any manu-
featuring village In the country The mills still
open TO them and they welcome 10 return when
ever they desire. The interview closed with the
surance that the company entertain tho most kindly
feeling for their help and Mr. Goddard hoped there
would DO manifestation Of Ill temper abuse by the
operatives. Mr. Lewis will report the result of the in
terview on Monday.