Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-26
THE COMING STRUGGLE
Secretary Martin States the POSI-.
tlon of the Ass0 ciati0n.
The Manufacturers Meeting g-Both Sides
Organizing for the Fight-No Pros
poets for an Immediate Settle
ment-Cincinnatit to Blame
for the Advance.
LATEST NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS

PITTSBURGH May 25.-The Labor Tribnne,
this morning, contains an article on the
situation from Secretary Martin. The arti-
Gle begins with statement concerning the
meeting of the manufacturs last Saturday /;
states that some of the delegates would be
satisfied with nothing but the complete an
nihilation of the Association, and the paper
goes on to say: "That there is and have
been such secret moves made heretofore
we ourselves can testify, but up TO the
present their designs have been frustrated.
Nothing daunted, however, it would seem
that like tactics are again to be brought
into play after June 1st next if the increase
asked for is persisted in. How far they
will succeed time only can tell, but we can
safely say that should they attempt to en-
force it they will find that they have bit OFF
more than they can chaw."
Wants an Honorable Fight.
IF it is the intention of the Pittsburgh
and Western iron manufacturers to
crush out the Amalgamated Association,
we hope that at least they will prosecute
their fight honorably. That is to say, if all
m ills in this city and the West join in the
figh t, let them do so as unit, and simply
let their mills remain idle until the men
come and ask them to let up, as they are
now ready to go to work. Let us have no
importation of outside labor from anywhere,
but an upright, genuine, straightforward,
business-like test Of strength and endur-
ance, and at the end take good So uare
hearty shake all around, to show that no
hatred or animosity exists on either side.
MAY the Best Man Win
IN such a fight is our wish, and
We will do the best We can to
gain the laurels for our side-the y. A.
The association never agitates strikes, but
when compelled to resort to such means,
though the cup is bitter one, the contents
is taken and we prepare for the worst. We
have carried our point in nearly every in
stance, particularly in general strike or
lockout. and we will try by all means that
are honorable to do so in the coming con-
fi;ct. We have no fears of even one mem.
Der of the society shirkiuS his duty and
sacri fiCing his manhood during such times,
though the Rher side confidently believe
that there is dissension in our ranks, and
thereby hope to gain the day, but not by
square shut down until one side or the
other cries enough"
"A Split Means Defeat"
There always is, always was, and always
will be croakers in any society, and the A.
A. is no exception to the rule. And If those
who met in secret to plot for the overthrow
of our society, did so from information re-
ceived from such people, they are only
running themselves into snare. No!
Labor knows, and particularly so the mem-
bers of the Amalgamated Association that
split means defeat. The members have
not forgotten their divided condition and
the evil results accruing therefrom during
the years prior to the institution of their
present impregnable society, August 4,
iS76. During those years it was a common
occurrence to find the puddlers aiding the
manufacturers to defeat their fellow (now
brother) toilers in the finishing depart
mentS. 1t was no surprise, when the
manufacturers wanted 10 reduce the pud-
dlers, to find the former getting
Their Yards Well Stocked
with perhaps, thousands of tons OF muck
bar, knowing full well that the finishing
men would work it up and thus aid them
(the manufacturers) to reduce the puddler.
Nor was there, legally, at that time, any
thing wrong in this mode of cutting each
others throats. Morally there was. But it
made no difierence-that was the mode of
procedure tacitly resorted TO by the manu-
faCturerS to reduce or resist an advance OF
wages, and we confess it worked charming
ly. But matters are now changed wonder
fully, and while some manufacturers think
that our employees will get along better
without a strong, arbitrary organization
than they have with it. the men don't
think so, as a burned child breads the
fire
In Their Minds.
THE imagined 'dissension' that there is
so much stress laid upon as existing in our
ranks is simply in the minds of some Of the
manufacturers, who tell the puddler that
he ought to get more and the heaters and
rollers less, and then when the puddler de-
mands it tells the heater and roller that
they would get along better in an organiza.
ton by themselves 1t won't work, and
the iron or steel worker who advocates it
either in the press, in the mill or on the
street is only advocating his own downfall,
as well as that of an organization that alone
can get and maintain for him good living
wages. Nothing short of the Amalgamated
Association will ever benefit the iron and
steel worker, and knowing this, every mem.
Der can be relied upon to do his duty in
thwarting any secret designs laid for its
annihilation."