The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-06-02
THE LABOR LOCKOUT.
$4,000 LABoRERs NOW IDLE.
A Thousand SmOksless Furnaces In Pitts
burgh and WcinIty-HuS Long will
This Thing Last7

Prr7sBuReH, June with midnight
last night, and in some cases with daylight
to-day, labor at the $50 boiling furnaces Of
this city and $50 in the vicinity ceased, and
the lockout began. To-day the atmos-
phere does not show any increased clear
ness, but the increase in the number nf
idle men on Fifth avenue was noticeable
by noon. The exceptions to the rule are
noted below. Singer, Nimiek & Co. run
only six furnaces, and their signing is not
regarded as Of weight by other firms. As
to the number Of men idle in consequence
OF this difference between labor and cap
ital, a veteran iron.worker states that each
furnace represents at least ten men direct
ly connected with its operation. The coal
diggers, drivers, etc, will more than
double this number, and the grand total
will not be far from 5000 men and boys
At the Iron Association rooms, within
the past few days telegrams have been re-
ceiyed from distant mills affected by the
strike. All ask questions in regard 70 the
action OF Pittsburgh mills. Brown, Bon
nell & Co. stated that they would take no
action until they knew what other mills
would do. This, taken in connection with
their reported signing Of the scale, is not
understood at all by iron men. The only
other firm signing the scale in that direc'
ton il Bradley, Refs d Co., who state that
they have sheet contracts to fill for oil re-
gion parties burned out lately and cannot
afford to stop just now.
II is impossible to-day to even approx
mately forecast the duration OF the strike
lust begun. Both sides seem determined
10 maintain their present attitude, and as
a result Pitsburgh's greatest industry Is
paralyzed. There is q rumor OF 3 special
meeting OF the iron men, 70 be held at the
Association rooms.
From conversation with gentlemen sup
posed TO be well posted in regard 70 mat
ters pertaining 70 the iron business, it
would seem that the general lockout was
linausurated to-day. Only three mills
Wilson, Walker & Co.'s, Jones 4 Laugh.
Inns and Singer, Nimiek & Co.'s-lit their
furnases this morning, and their reason Tor
doing so was not 90 much 70 get the bene'
tit Of the days work a 10 make 1t clear
that they had not taken the first step 70.
wards the disagreement. Not 4 single mill
is running TO day, and 1t 10 not probable
that q meeting OF manufacturers can bt
hsld Immediately, as = number OF the mos
prominent, including Harry W. Oliver rAut
3. +. Jones, are out Of the CITY. The mil
owners are we'll enough satisfied with thl
condition Of aAGirs Just 1t present, as thii
4 The season for their annual shut dovr
And dinyeutory. The eoudiusn ot the iIoI
market Is also not such Is 70 make thea
anxious 70 run and pile up stock. A sligh
. Improvement in orders was noticeable las
. week, but ii may have been owing 70 th
| fact that buyers EerO anxious 70 get II
their orders before the threatened strike
Il was rumored this morning that th
hoop iron mills, especially Lindsay
McCutcheon, had signed the scale, but
the market Is in 4 worse condition n
their produce than in any other branch
he business, it il probable this Is an ei
ror. The only firm known 70 have agree
70 the demands Of the SoEkme
a the MeKeesport Tube Work
/. The general opinion seems 70 be that
Shorf stoppage will do more good tha
/. ham, and the question Of wages Wilt d
pend on the future activity Of business