New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-13
THE LABOR AGITATION.
,,,,v cpr,r SHRINE AT PTTTsBURG.

MEN.
lrKoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF rHE TRIBUNE
PIrrsprRG Penn, June ia stranger entering
this ci,y at the present tims unaware OF the fact
that one of the greatest strikes known IN this
country is in progress, would be unable TO detect
any evidence of the fact from outward appear
aIces The streets quiet as on ordinary coca
sions business apparently moves on IN its accus-
toned manner, and there are few idlers to be
seen. Notwithstanding the fact that 10000 men
are on a strike and good many others are thrown
out of employment in consequence. A person OF
previous experience of the smoky. grimy atmos-
phere % Pittsburg however would notice the diff
ference in that respect at once With the fires out
in over 500 pudding furnaces IN this immediate
vicinity. included in the "a iron rolling mills that
are closed beside the furnaces Of the 100 and
more steam engines that have tempo
rarily ceased running, there is notable
change III the appearance Of the city
Tie soot-beg-imed buildings show cut III bold
relief, and 1t is possible even on a misty morning to
recognize your next door ueigAbor at distance Of
100 feet.
Many of the striking worlingmen have gone out
of the city TO visit friends or for recreation. The
ron workers. however are. as a general thing an
intelligent orderly body of men, and they do not
spend their time dling about the streets or IN the
liluor-shops when not at work. The rots Of 1877
were not caused by these men. There is no danger
of any trouble from them. unless attempt is made
10 fill their places by the importation of for
eign labor. Happily this is not at
present even discussed probability b. the en-
ployers. The hest of feeling prevails on both sides
and when o settlement is reached it viii he doubt
less without the ill-feeinc that cs5cn results from
these strikes. If attempt were made to settle
the difficulties by arbitration. as Is done in the iron
districts in England. ii would as If II ought TO
be successful at thus time and in the present state
Of feeling. The leaders Of the workingnen
assert that if the employers viii convince them by
facts and figures that they cannot afford to pay the
increase demanded the strike viii end. The en-
poyers assert in the most positive manner that they
cannot afford TO pay the advance at the present
market prices for iron. 1t cannot be learned that
any attempt has been made to reach settlement by
al btration but heretofore the workingmen have al
ways refused to entertain a suggestion Of this kind
though frequently pressed upon thcm.
As to the length Of time the strike may continue
there is at present 10 basis upon which to make
fair prediction The resumption of work
in the Cincinnati district to-day is heralded
by many as an indication that the strike viii
soon end here. Ia fact it has iitcla bearing 1pol
he strike here and thai little il in favor CT the
poyers Us much as the men. 1t Is fact that at
the meeting Of the iron manufacturers held in this
Cincinnati mills 10 allowed to run at the present
prices for labor The rat in Cincinnati ia a little
higher than in Pttsburg based upon an alleged dif-
ference IN the iron Ussd, which makes
the work more di,icut there. The men IN
Cincinnati struck for still higher figure IL har-
mony with the demands OF the PIttsblrg strikers,
though in open violation Of the agreement they
made at the close Of the long strike in Cincinnati
last November. They have gone 10 work again at
the same rate received before they struck. Inc
Pittsburg strikers believe that the fact Of the mills
running in Cincinnati will help sustain the mon
here and make the manufacturers anxious for their
trade The employers however are will
ing that the Cincinnati mills should run
because there are few Of them-one mill
in this city manufacturing more iron than all
those in Cnciunati-and because they VIII De abe
to assist in meeting the light demand for Iron and
thus keep the prices down and lessen the tempta-
! ton for the weaA firms here TO give IN to the
strikers
Mr. Oliver, Mr.. Wells. Mr. Heating and other
| large manufacturers here assert thai there never
! was time when the miIlOwDers were SO
united and determined as at present. They
say that at the meeting held IN this city
last week, when the manufacturers formed
themselves INTO an association for Inu-
tual protection, there was not Dissenting
voice against continuing the lockout until the men
]
iron has been declining one Tor some time. ne
mills have Deen running now for two years night
and day and this strike affords an opportunity 20
repair the machinery. linen an important TACT
which has not been mentioned, Tue manu-
factuTers say: IS the price OF iron ore, Nnen
the " boom in the iron market took place
il the fall Of 1873, the prices or iron ore were
increased more IN proportion than tAat OF the manu-
featured iron. The miut-Owners have been lucreas-
ing prices OF since, and declaring dlvluencS
OF 70 and 100 per whlle IRON has been decinlng
Most Of the ore used here comes from the Michigan
fsf fftI4
proper development of the Missouri mines are
the cause Of very little Of That ore being
used here. The price Ot ls one OF The
reasons the manufacturers give IoI h"' ueLus .oie
t. pay higher prices for labor. According 70 q
prominent manufacturer, the cost OF producing
of from the pig 10 the nnlshtd par III II -
was %33 while under the scale demanded Dy Tue
strikers now the cost would be So. Under the ne
scale the extra cost for labor 10 al ordinary nail
mil will be $4,000 year An estimate made by
"A city newspaper places the toiaI increase uhdeI
the new scale OF manufacturing the same quantity
Of iron produced last year al over
- 500. 900. This Is an item which the manufac-
turcrs may be expected To contend about Tor some
time IL the present condition OF the tIddc.
OF the l2J mills with 2,4lJ furnaces inYolVed ID
this strike, seven only have egnrd the ne" scale
demanded Dy The AinaIgamateu Association Vi clocI
aud Iron Workers. That Is less tAan seven
per cent Of the mills and Il fraction over uVe
per cent Of the furnaces, and OF the U4i4s lhaD
have signed they are running Qhy ~ Pit
and for the purpose of finishing orders. On the
other hand there running IN the striking district
without having signed the scaie-elshieen muIs
the lis and fraction over 10 per cent OF Iut u4-
races There are more mills and furnaces running
IN violation of the union rules than there are II!
consequence OF signing The scale. IL Is estimated
that there altogether about 4O,OOO men IdIe
who are directly Interested in tho strike, besides
those III other trades who are affected by ~.
The strike are entitled 10 - q Week
each beginning to-day. which the third week Oi
the strike. During the strike each puddler at wOrk
pays - a week into the ASSOCIATION tund, ana the
other classes of workmen pay ~ proportion to their
wages compared with that OF tie puddler. Inc
treasury Of the ANA gamated Association lad about
f25O,OOO IL II yesterday and the receipts !