the workers.

The trades unions discussed the matter with the employers, and refused
to listen to such a reduction of wages.

The masters then declared that they could not continue to pay the
present rate, as they would be losing money. They finally decided to
give their workers a month's notice that they were going to reduce their
wages five per cent.

Every one is anxiously waiting to see what the factory hands will do at
the end of the month.

It is hoped that the time that will intervene before the reduction takes
place will give them an opportunity to think matters over, and so avoid
a strike.

Should the cotton-workers decide to strike, two hundred thousand
operatives may be thrown out of work.

The manufacture of cotton goods in one of the greatest of the English
industries.

Over a million men, women, and children are employed in Great Britain
and Ireland, and nearly five million people are dependent for their
daily bread on the wages earned in the factories.

The centre of this great industry is the city of Manchester. Here the
greatest number of factories are built, and all matters concerning the
cotton market are discussed and settled. Manchester--dirty, smoky