Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-27
A GREAT STRIKE IMPENDING
The Views of an Iron Manufacturer.

A special dispatch from Cleveland.
Ohio, says: There is reason to believe
that there will be general strike among
the coal miners and iron workers of Ohio
and PENNSYLVANIA districts on or before
June l. Lloyd Booth, of Youngstown,
Ohio, and P. L. Kimberly, of Sharon,
Penn, both of whom are prominent iron
manufacturers and operators of extern
sive coal mines in Eastern Ohio and
Western Pennsylvania, are in the city to
have conference with President CHS
holm, of the Cleveland Rolling Mills,
with reference to concerted action on the
part of the manufacturers in case of
emergency. There are reasons for believ-
ing that there is an understanding be-
tween the employers as well as the en-
ployed, and that it is the intention of the
former to teach the latter a lesson. Mr.
Kimberley thoroughly conversant with
the coal and iron interests of Ohio and
Pennsylvania. When asked regarding
the probability of a strike he said: 81
believe a general strike will take place
June l. l understand that the Anal
gamated Association decided on Satur-
day to demand an advance of so cents
ton for puddlers. Mill owners cannot
afford to pay this demand. The iron
business is dull. The price has dropped
Sc ton in the last sixty DAYS. This
action of the puddlers will force the
proprietors to refusal of their demands
and strike will surely follow. Of
course, if the puddlers strike all opera
lions must necessarily cease"
Can strikers gain anything in the
present condition of the market?"
'The men could not possibly have de-
cided upon a time at which mill owners
could better afford to shut down than at
present. To my knowledge there is not
a mill in Eastern Ohio or Western Penn
sylvania which has contracts the COM
pletion of which is compulsory after
June 1. This action of the Amalgamated
Association has been anticipated, and
the proprietors of mills are prepal ed for
it. There certainly is no money being
made in the iron business at present, and
a strike could not result disastrously to
any except the workmen. 1t will not be
long, however, before the workmen will
be willing to return to work at the old
prices True, they claim that the Anal
gamated Association has $780, 900 in its
treasury, but that is nothing compared
with what they will need to maintain a
great general strike of all iron workers
west of the Alleghenies There are at
least 10000 persons employed in mills
within the district named, with nearly
twice that number dependent upon them.
How long do you suppose $3.50, 900
would support that many people in idle
nessY
will the coal miners striker"
Goal miners are also getting uneasy.
In addition to the 4 1000 men now out in
the Salineville and Tuscarawas Valley
district nearly all the miners in the coal
regions of Mahoning and Shenango Val
leys have quit work. Only few banks,
upon which mills are in operation, and
they will probably shut down inside of
two weeks. The Miners Convention at
Pittsburgh on Saturday, also took action
which will probably result in a general
suspension of work in that district.
After two days session it was decided
that unless the operators cease importing
cOlored labOrers a general strike would
be ordered for June1st. This decision,
if carried into effect, would throw about
$4,000 men out of employment. The
only place know of where perfect sat
isfactiOn prevails among the miners is
along the Shenango and Allegheny Rail
road from Greenville, Mercer county, to
Hillard, Butler county The paid men
in that district are all at work at present.
but they may catch the strike fever and
join the Others"
What will be the result of a general
strike ?"
Regarding the result, 1 am unable to
express an opinion, as it would, in fact,
be mere speculation. 1t may possibly
add strength to the iron market, and re-
suit benehcially to all persons concerned.
One thing is certain, however, and that
is the inability of mill owners to grant
the increase asked, and l am confident
that they will all meet the demand with
a prompt and decisive reply IN the mega
tive"