Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-12
DISMAL OUTLOOK.
The Threatening Situation in Iron
Affairs.
A Boiler Fears the Worst viii Come-Re-
suits Of a Strike-General Capital
and Labor Notes.

The action of the Western Nail Associa-
ton on Wednesday has struck the iron
workers most unfavorably and they are in
clined to take a very dark view Of the out
look. Some are inclined to cling to hope
of concession by the manufacturers. but
a majority believe the ultimatum OF the
owners: IL the men insist on their de-
mand the mills must close.
YESTERDAY afternoon q well known and
intelligent boiler was eOrnered and ques-
toned by the REGISTER man, as to his
opinion Of the future.
II see no daylight ahead, was his an
swer, "but all depends now on Pittsburg
If they feel as we do about it, they will in
sist on the increase. At our last meeting,
here, the vote to hold out was stronger than
ever"
"If you know trouble will result, what
are your Individual views as to the de-
mand?"
I'VE feel that two reasons back it. First
of all the high price of living must be met
by higher wages and secondly the iron
card, as il now stands, does not fairly rep
resent the selling price of iron. There are
so many specialties that sell for and
cents per pound when the card is "a, that
an average would be much higher"
Then what do you think will be the re-
sult?"
al believe myself that strike is almost
certain. There are so many things to en-
courage il. The men have worked long
and steadily and most of them are well
fixed financially. Then the hot weather
is upon US. when most of them are glad to
get a holiday. These two things will en-
courage US to go on. On the other hand,
the mills have made money for the past six
months, and now can afford to shut down
for time. The market is weak, anyhow,
and prices declining. This will encourage
them to refuse the demand, and the two
together make me fear the worst"
"How is the Amalgamation prepared for
striker
ut is in prime condition. All reports
about thin treasury are untrue. Thous-
ands of dollars are laid away-en0ugh to
run the members for some time. We each
paw p cents a month, and you can readily
see how it would accumulate
But if the entire Association is on
strike there will be no workers to keep the
exchequer full. What will be the final re-
suit
That is question | cannot answer.
Which ever side dies first must give in.
We base our hopes on this: When the
mills throughout the great country over
which the amalgamation stretches its arms,
have been closed down for good while, the
demand for iron manufac lures will become
so greatly in excess of the supply, that the
price will go booming up and manutactur-
ers can no longer afford to he idle. One
will break over and the rest must follow.
That is your view of the result, is it?'
"Yes, that's my best judgment.
DO you candidly believe there will he
striker
IL fear there will.
The outlook, it will be- seen, is gloomy
enough. A study OF the business interests
of Wheeling will at once reveal the import
ance of the mills. Every two weeks thou
sands of dollars are poured into the city
through them, and the retail business in
the lower end draws its vitality largely
therefrom. Once the mills shut down and
this supply ceases, credit system springs
up which carries panic in its train. The
financial and commercial prosperity OF the
city depend so largely upon the mills that
it would be an actual misfortune. All eyes
are now turned upon Pittsburg to await
the decision of the convention of May %.