Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-06-09
GRIM WAR.
Capital Organizes to Combat 0r-
ganized Labor. {
Result of the Manufacturers Meeting at
PiHsburgh-$35,0Oo,O 900 Represent
ed-An Organization Completed
Views of Both Sides.
LATEST NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS.

Views OF Both Sides.
| LATEST NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS.
PrrTsBURG, June S.-The meeting OF man
ufacturers held in this city yesterday and
last night was the largest that ever assem-
bled in the West, and represented aggre-
gate of $35,OOO, 900, manipulating skilled
labor to the number of AZ, 900 men. These
men of mouey sat in secret session from
ten o'clock in the morning until eleven last
night, with an interval of two hours at
noon and an hour and half in the even
ing. During the entire meeting the ut
most privacy was preserved, and what
mighty financial eggs were Matched, is
known only to those that sat upon them,
1t was not only a large. meeting but the
ever ever held m rfttsSursh. TRey Claimed
that every mill Of any size in the West was
represented.
Discussing Wages and Trade.
Mr.. A. f. Keating, of this city, was
called to preside, and Mr.. Weeks otficiated
as secretary. Then for two hours the state
of trade and the demands of the Amalga-
mated Association were discussed. Speeches
were made by majority OF those present.
All were to the effect that their orders were
not pressing and the opinion was freely
expressed that if the scale had been signed
bar iron would now be selling at cents
pound. II was also stated on authority that
the reason the scale had been signed
at Carnegie Bros. d Co.'s Union Mill
was that the firm was notified
that If they did not sign within
specified time the Amalgsmated Associa-
tion would shut down the Edgar Thompson
steel works. Further discussion showed
that the belief prevailed among representa-
tiyes from all points that II the scale was
signed this year, nextyear they would like
" see demand for $3.50 or 81 per ton for
pudding, and they might as we'll tight 1t
out now. A vote was then taken by calling
the yeas and nays, and il was unanimously
resolved not to start their mills at the pres
ent demand. To make their action strong
er, il that was necessary, every one present
pledged himself to adhere to that resolu:
ton By this time the hour of noon had
arrived, and the meeting adjourned until
2P.M.
Organising for Action.
The action of the morning session was
important as reiterating the resolutions
adopted prior to June l, but at the after
noon session business much more import
ant than this in its general bearing on the
iron trade was transacted. Copies OF
printed document were distributed among
the gentlemen present, and then Secretary
Weeks commenced to read what was very
soon discovered to be the constitution for
an oreanization of the iron manufacturers
of the West. The first sections were gen.
eral in their character and were adopted
without much debate. One providing for
the levying of assessments to carry out the
objects of the association, and the manner
in which such assessments should be
levied. excited considerable comment and
was finally withdrawn to make room
for substitute that gave better sat
iSfaction
What Was Done.
1t was half-past six o'clock before the
second adjournment was ordered, and then
only an hour was given for supper. The
majority of those who attended the meet
ing refused to say anything concerning
what had been done or what would be done.
Messrs. Weeks and keating talked limo.
Gently and persistentlYS about @ t &. the color OF
CamgpeR AsfEoaL LwoutS .s ,s,sia 49, s ,, IN pins.
hnrg. and that an association of all the iron
mann facturers in the West was being Torn.
ed MT. Chess would say no more, and
M Kaufman refused TO say anything
Nessrs. Charles Kloman and A. III. Byers
were a little more communicative. Sflo
Mr.. Kloman, This is the largest meeting
in the history of the trade. The employ
ers of &C, 900 skilled iron workers are repre-
sented, and the capital invested In their
mills is S35, 5,000,0 900. Before we ADJOURN
finally an organization will have been per,
fected which will be strong enough NOT
only TO resist the Amalgamated AsSocla'
tion's demands, but to defeat that assocla-
tion. Measures will be adopted far:reach'
ing and deep enough to accomplish TINS
and restore to the manufacturers OF the
West the control of their mills, to operate
them as they see proper.
An Offensive and Defensive Alliance.
Mr.. Byers said: 1.-THE organization to be
nerfeCted will bear the same relation to the
trade that the Western Iron Association
has borne. The only difference will be
that insteads of its membership being lin
tied TO the vicinity of Pittsburgh, every
firm in the West will be represented, and
while we will continue to pay attention to
the tariff and kindred interests, one OF our
objects will be to protect those rights "hiCn
| we believe we enjoy in common with
| others.
Then the association will be kind OF an
offensive and defensive alliance against the
| A
| ton which attempts to impose upon you
asked the reporter.
To this Mr.. Byers refused to make di-
rect reply, but he did not contradict an as.
sertion that this was the only inference
that could be drawn from his remarks. In
resropse 10 further inquiries Mr.: Bycrs
| stated that the representation was all that
| conld be desired. Some of the firms who
10, already signed the scale were among
tho nao rrr,hs, When asked what interest
thew could have Il. such gathering he
again evaded the point; neither ~" ne give
the names OF those firms.
The Work Complete.
The delegates were all on hand promptly
at the appointed time, and until half past
ten o'clock nothing could be heard but the
hum of voices. Then there was clapping
OF hands, and few minutes later the doors
were again opened. Secretary Weeks will
give all the Information" was the reply Of
all who were approached for the result Of
the meeting Mr.. Weeks information was
brief and, although not particularly new, to
the point. He said: "An organization has
been perfected to defeat the Amalgamated
| Association, and resolutions were unani-
mously adopted to resist any demand for
| an advance over the present wages"
what measures were adopted to accom-
plish this object?
"Tbat is a secret, and the names Of the
officers will not be made public either"
This is all that could be learned officially
regarding the meeting, but taken in con-
nection with the information given above
a correct idea Of the intentions of the man
ufacturers can be obtained. All who were
present professed TO be confident OF win
ming ultimately, but none predicted short
struggle. Said one: II honestly believe
that every man present will stay out year
before he will sign the scale"
President Jarrett's Views.
President Jarrett was asked what he
be good thing" replied Mr. Jarrett, "if
! the EMPLOYERS will get up harmonious
organization. If the new association will