<P> Again, in response to a severe economic depression and the high costs of living, in January 1836, the Board of Directors of Lowell's textile mills absorbed an increase in the textile workers' rent to help in the crisis faced by the company boarding house keepers . As the economic calamity continued in October 1836, the Directors proposed an additional rent hike to be paid by the textile workers living in the company boarding houses . The female textile workers responded immediately in protest by forming the Factory Girls' Association and organizing a "turn - out" or strike . Harriet Hanson Robinson, an eleven - year - old doffer at the time of the strike, recalled in her memoirs: "One of the girls stood on a pump and gave vent to the feelings of her companions in a neat speech, declaring that it was their duty to resist all attempts at cutting down the wages . This was the first time a woman had spoken in public in Lowell, and the event caused surprise and consternation among her audience ." </P> <P> This "turn - out" or strike attracted over 1,500 workers--nearly twice the number two years previously - causing Lowell's textile mills to run far below capacity . Unlike the "turn - out" or strike in 1834, in 1836 there was enormous community support for the striking female textile workers . The proposed rent hike was seen as a violation of the written contract between the employers and the employees . The "turn - out" persisted for weeks and eventually the Board of Directors of Lowell's textile mills rescinded the rent hike . Although the "turn - out" was a success, the weakness of the system was evident, and worsened further in the Panic of 1837 . </P> <P> The sense of community that arose from working and living together contributed directly to the energy and growth of the first union of women workers, the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association . Started by 12 operatives in January 1845, its membership grew to 500 within six months, and continued to expand rapidly . The Association was run completely by the women themselves: they elected their own officers and held their own meetings; they helped organize the city's female workers, and set up branches in other mill towns . They organized fairs, parties, and social gatherings . Unlike many middle - class women activists, the operatives found considerable support from working - class men who welcomed them into their reform organizations and advocated for their treatment as equals . </P> <P> One of its first actions was to send petitions signed by thousands of textile workers to the Massachusetts General Court demanding a ten - hour work day . In response, the Massachusetts Legislature established a committee chaired by William Schouler, Representative from Lowell, to investigate and hold public hearings, during which workers testified about conditions in the factories and the physical demands of their twelve - hour days . These were the first investigations into labor conditions by a governmental body in the United States . The 1845 Legislative Committee determined that it was not state legislature's responsibility to control the hours of work . The LFLRA called its chairman, William Schouler, a "tool" and worked to defeat him in his next campaign for the State Legislature . A complex election Schouler lost to another Whig candidate over the issue of railroads . The impact of working men (Democrats) and working women (non-voting) was very limited . The next year Schouler was re-elected to the State Legislature . </P>

Who did most of the lowell and waltham mills employ