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dissatisfaction be presented to the management" after work resumed. Union leaders and some of the employees urged the non-affiliated "back boys" who had initiated the strike to return to work. Coats tended his resignation at the beginning of
February. The strike continued through most of March as the company directorate refused to grant any demands.
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the federal administration. Much of the job consisted of creating awareness, incentives, and rules for "substituting, reducing and conserving foods," but also involved advising on the distribution of primary goods and, in some instances, revoking the commercial licenses of businesses that contravened wartime regulations.
279:
Alfred M. Coats volunteered as the R.I. Food
Administrator from the end of 1917 to the beginning of 1919. Coats "saw in an opportunity to do some real service" in a "consuming state" that imported "between 90% and 95% of its foodstuffs." He was appointed by Governor Beeckman with the endorsement of
204:
The couple were inducted as life members of the
American Red Cross in 1905. Elizabeth Barnewall Coats served on the executive board with Alfred M. Coats as chairman of the June 1917 campaign committee, when the R.I. branch raised over $ 879,576.07 as part of a national drive for a $ 100,000,000 war
148:
reported about 750 workers on strike and another 750 out of work in 1907. Coats awaited instructions from
Scotland to engage in negotiations, but ultimately received approval from the board for a 10% wage increase. "The numerous conferences between the strikers' committee and Alfred M. Coats, the
131:
Coats faced at least three mass labor movements, in 1902, 1907, and 1910, all focused on wages and the pace of labor in the mills. On May 25, 1902, employees at the plant went on strike over a reduction of their wages that coincided with the implementation of the "58-hour law". Coats met with the
156:
In
January of 1910, strikers, only partially affiliated with unions, demanded that their wages not be lowered in the wake of a new labor law which limited the work week to 56 hours. Coats refused to negotiate and threatened to close the mills "indefinitely," demanding that "formal notice of any
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The beautiful mansion, noted for its extraordinarily large rooms, particularly the abll room, was then leased by former
Governor R. Livingston, who did not relinquish his tenancy until the latter part of the last year, when it was placed upon the market and acquired by the Corporation of Brown
212:
During WWI, Elizabeth
Barnewall Coats lead fundraising efforts for the Edith Wharton Charity in Rhode Island, for example to support "orphan children and helpless aged people in Flanders" and endow a 14-bed ward in tuberculosis hospitals in France. Alfred M. Coats served as President of the
187:
After serving on the Board of
Directors of the Pawtucket Gas Company, he participated in the incorporation of the Blackstone Valley Gas and Electric Company in 1909, which merged into the Narragansett Electric Company in 2000 and operates under the name of Rhode Island Energy since 2022.
175:
In 1902, he held the title of Vice
President of the Board of Trustees of the Pawtucket Institution for Savings. He was elected a member of the Board of Directors of the Slater Trust Company in 1908. From 1917 to 1933, he appears listed in annual meeting reports published in the
149:
Superintendent, have been free from rancor," the journal reported, "and Mr. Coats has indicated every desire to bring about a satisfactory adjustment of the differences." While not unionized, the "carding room employees" who lead the strike received guidance from
205:
fund. The "remarkable result," Coats said, "convinced him that at least a great majority of the people of Rhode Island are now beginning to realize the tremendous gravity of the war, and that this is only its beginning for
America."
140:
in 1904, Coats formally refused to engage in salary negotiations with union representatives: "We feel that matters of this nature can be settled much more satisfactorily among ourselves than the employment of any outside agency."
22:(April 12, 1869 – July 21, 1942) was a Scottish-born American businessman who served as general manager of the J. & P. Coats plant in Pawtucket and as Rhode Island’s Federal Food Administrator during World War I.
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The couple were also elected members of the Corporation of the Rhode Island Hospital in 1905, and Elizabeth Barnewall Coats joined the Board of Directors of the Providence District Nursing Association.
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reported, "that the strikers who went out unorganized and would return as a union would take the proper course in the future for presenting their grievances." Nonetheless, in a letter published by the
89:, whose father traded Coats threads in the United States. Alfred M. Coats lived the majority of his life in the United States, where his parents returned to in 1871. His father became the first
292:
painted portraits of their daughter Mabel in 1904 and Mrs. Alfred M. Coats in 1906. They had a son, Archibald, who died serving in France in 1918, and another daughter, Elizabeth.
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172:, CT). He was one of the directors of the Manufacturer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company of R.I. Later on, he also served as Vice President of the Lorraine Manufacturing Company.
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strikers' representatives, including "the recently formed branch of the United Textile Workers" and the Rhode Island Mule Spinners' Association. "He was guaranteed," the
112:
Alfred M. Coats played a significant part in Rhode Island economic life, not only as an operative of "one of Britain's most important multinational companies" (today the
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391:
Kininmonth, Kirsten W. (October 2006). "The Growth, Development and Management of J. & P. Coats Ltd, c. 1890–1960: An Analysis of Strategy and Structure".
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303:, in 1900–1901. In 1916, the Coats moved to 77 Williams Street, a residence previously owned by James Coats, and in 1926, had a new home designed by
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from 1902 to 1910. Before taking on this role, he had served as a director of the Conant Thread Company, a J & P Coats subsidiary, since 1896.
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In December 1897 he co-founded the Punch River Textile Company and the French River Textile Company (the latter with a woolen mill at
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85:, Scotland, on April 12, 1869, to James P. Coats, a member of a prominent family in the Scottish textile industry, and to Sarah Ann
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421:
Kim, Dong-Woon (1998). "The British Multinational Enterprise in the United States before 1914: The Case of J. & P. Coats".
222:
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Coats, in conjunction with or separately from his role at J. & P. Coats, had investments across a range of sectors.
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in 1891. He was among the founding members of the Yale Club in Providence in 1901 and later served as its president.
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Elizabeth Barnewall Coats was elected to serve among the directors of the newly formed R.I. chapter of the
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Elizabeth Barnewall Coats played an active role at the turn of the century in the leadership of the R.I.
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Coats and his wife appeared regularly in the society pages of R.I. newspapers as patrons and organizers.
82:
901:
Price, Alan (2000). "Edith Wharton and the Spirit of Noblesse Oblige". In Campbell, Ballard C. (ed.).
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Eighty-Seventh Annual Report of the Board of Directors of The Providence Athenaeum to the Corporation
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as a member of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Trust Company, the latter remembered for its
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between 1918 and 1925, donating acquisition funds and "books on gardens" such as Jean-Henri Fabre's
980:
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Providence Society for Organizing Charity, which helped hundreds of widows and families in need.
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The Natural History Collection of the Providence Athenaeum: A Selected Annotated Bibliography
541:"Coats Mill Strikers Still Await Answer: No Word from Company's Directors Across the Water".
430:
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856:"Alfred M. Coats Thanks Workers: Chairman of Red Cross Campaign Gratified at Collections".
256:, became the R.I. Governor's Mansion from 1915 to 1921. In the United Kingdom, his brother
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A member of the Republican Party, Alfred M. Coats supported the re-election campaign of
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594:"Coats Strikers Stay Out: Back Boys, Doffers and Twisters Firm; More Trouble Feared".
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609:"Alfred M. Coats May Retire: Resigns Position at Head of Pawtucket Thread Plant".
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332:. Vol. 4. New York: The American Historical Society. 1920. pp. 378–379.
299:: a summer residence in Newport in 1895–1896 and a winter home in Providence, at
1218:. Providence: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission. 1989. p. 97.
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1015:"Wetmore's Friends Active: Organize to Bring About His Re-Election to Senate".
886:"Five Years of Efficient Work: District Nursing Association Elected Officers".
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as U.S. Senator in 1907, opposing the bid of Industrial Trust Company founder
36:
225:, which funded and managed the operations of a market for women-made goods.
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in the Historic New England Odgen Codman Jr. architectural collection and
826:"Members Elected to Red Cross: Organizing Body of State Branch Meeting".
526:"Coats Strike May be Long: Committee Gets Rebuff from Alfred M. Coats".
639:"Coats Thread Mill Strikers Ready to Go to Work: Demands Not Granted".
442:
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116:), but also as an investor in local textile, gas, and bank entities.
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975:. Providence: Providence Athenaeum. September 25, 1922. p. 11.
511:"Will Meet Help, But Coats Thread Co. Refuses to Recognize Union".
841:"Rhode Island Exceeds Allotment for Red Cross with $ 879,576.07".
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Elizabeth Barnewall Coats served as a director and officer of the
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Historic and Architectural Resources of the East Side, Providence
329:
History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
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Coats oversaw 2,200 to 2,500 workers as general manager of the
1130:"Portrait of Mrs. Alfred M. Coats (Elizabeth Barnewall Coats)"
961:"The Providence Daily Journal". October 12, 1899. p. 12.
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was a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1916 to 1922.
236:(trans. Bernard Miall, Philadelphia: Lippincott Company).
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The Human Tradition in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
684:"Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of R.I. (ad)".
120:
At the helm of J. & P. Coats in Pawtucket (1894–1910)
252:. The Coats' winter home at 13 Brown Street, leased to
916:"Over $ 200 Added to Fund for Destitute in Flanders".
153:, President of the United Textile Workers of America.
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at the 1919 suffragist convention that took place at
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in 1905, a title that passed to his brother in 1913.
702:. Pawtucket: Slater Trust Company. 1917. p. 48.
931:"Providence Endows Ward in Edith Warton Hospital".
58:
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288:In 1895, he married Elizabeth (Bessie) Barnewall.
946:"Charitable Society names GB Hibbert treasurer".
1004:. Providence: Providence Athenaeum. p. 155.
295:The Coats commissioned two homes from architect
1030:"Brown's New Faculty Club Has Luxurious Home".
1151:. Boston Athenaeum. pp. 16, 198, and 199.
8:
126:J. & P. Coats company plant in Pawtucket
1000:Cook, Carol S.; Dorian, Marguerite (1997).
579:"Coats Mill to Close if Strike Continues".
374:"Alumni Associations: Rhode Island Meeting"
1069:"'Rhode Island Can Lead in Food Thrift'".
35:
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1164:Ogden Codman and the Decoration of Houses
1149:Ogden Codman and the Decoration of Houses
16:Scottish-American businessman (1869–1942)
1287:St. Paul's School (New Hampshire) alumni
761:"Mayor Sees Danger in Lighting Merger".
624:"Coats Mills Await Word from Scotland".
561:"Coats Strikers Win All Their Demands".
271:(built 1907 for the R.I. Women's Club).
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1099:"License Revoked By Food Officials".
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1049:"Suffragists Have Happy Convention".
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1084:"Nurses Will Have Sugar for Needy".
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100:in New Hampshire and graduated from
1166:. The Boston Ahenaeum. p. 198.
905:. Scholarly Resources. p. 211.
343:"Alfred M. Coats Funeral Private".
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1162:Metcalf, Pauline C., ed. (1988).
1147:Metcalf, Pauline C., ed. (1988).
871:"Hospital Needs are Still Many".
380:. November 28, 1919. p. 235.
217:Cultural and social organizations
1199:. February 2, 1917. p. 537.
950:. November 26, 1919. p. 18.
729:"Annual Meeting of Stockholders"
1181:. October 29, 1916. p. 36.
1118:. September 5, 1895. p. 8.
1088:. December 8, 1917. p. 11.
875:. November 14, 1906. p. 1.
765:. April 11, 1909. pp. 1–2.
717:. February 26, 1902. p. 8.
658:. December 2, 1897. p. 12.
628:. February 12, 1910. p. 6.
486:"They Will Return to Work Soon"
307:and built at 175 Upton Avenue.
182:iconic 1928 "Superman Building"
1019:. December 1, 1906. p. 1.
845:. June 26, 1917. pp. 1–2.
673:. December 3, 1897. p. 3.
613:. February 3, 1910. p. 1.
598:. January 26, 1910. p. 2.
583:. January 22, 1910. p. 1.
457:"Coats' Strikers Back to Work"
1:
1235:"Landfall" house in Newport:
1179:The Providence Sunday Journal
1101:The Providence Sunday Journal
1073:. October 7, 1917. p. 2.
1034:. March 18, 1923. p. 3.
1032:The Providence Sunday Journal
985:: CS1 maint: date and year (
935:. April 16, 1919. p. 15.
920:. January 3, 1917. p. 1.
890:. October 5, 1905. p. 8.
763:The Providence Sunday Journal
715:The Providence Sunday Journal
654:"Articles of Incorporation".
643:. March 20, 1910. p. 22.
641:The Providence Sunday Journal
543:The Providence Sunday Journal
234:The Wonder Book of Plant Life
1116:The Providence Daily Journal
1103:. March 17, 1918. p. 5.
1086:The Providence Daily Journal
1071:The Providence Daily Journal
1051:The Providence Daily Journal
1017:The Providence Daily Journal
948:The Providence Daily Journal
933:The Providence Daily Journal
918:The Providence Daily Journal
888:The Providence Daily Journal
858:The Providence Daily Journal
843:The Providence Daily Journal
830:. June 20, 1905. p. 10.
828:The Providence Daily Journal
748:The Providence Daily Journal
688:. April 20, 1897. p. 9.
686:The Providence Daily Journal
671:The Providence Daily Journal
656:The Providence Daily Journal
626:The Providence Daily Journal
611:The Providence Daily Journal
596:The Providence Daily Journal
581:The Providence Daily Journal
545:. April 28, 1907. p. 9.
530:. April 30, 1907. p. 1.
528:The Providence Daily Journal
362:. April 25, 1901. p. 4.
347:. July 22, 1942. p. 12.
258:Sir Stuart Auchincloss Coats
81:Alfred M. Coats was born in
860:. June 27, 1917. p. 1.
735:. April 8, 1908. p. 3.
669:"French River Textile Co".
423:The Business History Review
200:Charities and public health
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1053:. June 5, 1919. p. 2.
750:. June 5, 1902. p. 3.
700:Pawtucket Past and Present
275:Wartime food administrator
713:"Bank Officers Elected".
565:. May 7, 1907. p. 1.
492:. May 29, 1902. p. 2
463:. June 2, 1902. p. 2
405:10.1080/00076790600809219
223:Exchange for Women's Work
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1267:Providence, Rhode Island
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161:Other business interests
77:Early life and education
41:Engraving published 1920
1177:"Personal Paragraphs".
1277:Yale University alumni
1197:The Yale Alumni Weekly
563:The Providence Journal
515:: 8. February 5, 1904.
513:The Providence Journal
360:The Providence Journal
345:The Providence Journal
265:League of Women Voters
254:R. Livingston Beeckman
246:George Peabody Wetmore
91:Baronet of Auchendrane
746:"Directors Elected".
358:"Yale Men Organize".
802:"Corporate Database"
777:"Corporate Database"
230:Providence Athenaeum
69:Nayatt, Rhode Island
1114:"Coats-Barnewall".
733:The Providence News
490:The Providence News
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378:Yale Alumni Weekly
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873:The News-Democrat
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64:(1942-07-21)
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1262:1942 deaths
1257:1869 births
1243:at the Met.
1241:photographs
1237:floor plans
1134:RISD Museum
151:John Golden
114:Coats Group
87:Auchincloss
1251:Categories
1037:University
311:References
981:cite book
811:April 12,
786:April 12,
496:April 11,
467:April 11,
240:Politics
443:3116621
83:Paisley
441:
108:Career
1216:(PDF)
439:JSTOR
987:link
813:2024
788:2024
498:2024
469:2024
144:The
59:Died
47:Born
431:doi
401:doi
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