The United Broad Silk Weavers' Union held a meeting the other day, in
which it adopted a certain scale of wages, and sent out an order that no
member was to work for any other wages than those fixed by the Union.
When this order was sent to Paterson there was great consternation.
Nearly all the weavers there are members of the union, and when they
came to examine the new scale which they were bound to abide by, they
found it to be below the rate of wages which they were at that moment
receiving.
The Paterson weavers have been enjoying good wages, and are in
comfortable circumstances. Since the inauguration of President McKinley
they have gone on strike several times. Their employers thought their
demands were just, and agreed to give them the increase they asked, so
that they have settled their own affairs in a way that is highly
satisfactory to themselves.
Now comes this order from the labor union, and they are in a terrible
dilemma.
If they obey the rules of their order, they will have to go in a body to
their employers, and ask to have their wages reduced.
If they do not, they will be obliged to leave the union; and if in
future their employers try to get the best of them, they will then have
no one to come forward and fight their battles for them.
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