43 
to some of the remarks made by the latter about Oldham 
mills, he asked how was it that with a return of less than 
three per cent. new mills were being built? It was the law 
of progress, and new mills would pay a dividend when old ones 
would not. The only man who had suffered was the fool who 
put his money into the concerns, for all who supplied stores 
or built the mills had prospered. Alderman Greenwood had 
only dealt with facts and figures, but the theory underlying 
the whole matter was that the less they produced the more 
there would be to divide. When the trades unionists agreed 
with them, they were inclined to think that they were good 
sensible men, but now they seemed to have nothing for them 
but kicks. He thought that they (the trade unionists) had 
never reasoned themselves into the opinions given last year, or 
they had never reasoned themselves into the opinions expressed 
this year. They had been taking an example from some others 
in political circles, judging by the facility with which they 
turned their coats. He did not think they would see eight 
hours in the cotton trade, because the effect would be so 
tremendous, not only to the manufacturer, but to the working 
man. 
Mr. T. H. Roberts said there would be no difference between 
Parliamentary action and action by the unions so far as com- 
petition was concerned. He failed to see why women should be 
legislated for and not men, as it placed them in a disadvantageous 
position in the labour market. 
Mr. John Yeadon considered the eight hours proposals had 
been taken too seriously, and asked whether the labour leaders 
put forth economic (physical) or trade reasons? He thought the 
mule-spinner was one of the hardest worked men in the textile 
trade. 
Alderman Greenwood replied in detail, and said that the 
capitalist could not suffer without its ultimately telling upon all 
around. He had mentioned where the line should be drawn, at 
dangerous and unhealthy trades. The miners had a strong 
organisation, and so, too, had the mule-spinners. With the 
trades union leaders, their bread and butter was in danger to 
some extent, and they did not seem to have the moral courage 
to resist the current. There was no doubt an impression abroad 
that they could bring about an artificial scarcity of cloth, the 
price would be enhanced, and they would get an increased 
amount for the eight hours. He pictured the evils attending 
female labour in earlier times, and referred Mr. Yeadon to the 
resolution passed at the Trades Union Congress. He concluded 
- by quoting from the Labour Commission evidence against eight 
hours. 
