Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-07
THE IRON SCALE
Ard the Prospects Of a Coming
Change.
To-Days Meeting ofthe AmalgamatiOn at
Pittsburg-Nothing Given
0ut-Want Of
Harmony.

Ii is astonishing how great an interest Is
felt by all classes in the mill situation III
this city. Last night retail merchant
called at this office to learn if any hing
new regarding the scale had been ascef'
tanned.
Are Won interested in IRON asked the
reporter.
81 am interested in the mills, to GER
tsirtv want to know what the
,,,a.roc,s are for steady run.
NON have no idea what difference II makes
in nv business and in the business OF most
other retailers in town. They watch the
rurniug of the mills with an interest on!E
sccnnd 10 that of the men themselves, !Or
- cIosin,, of the mills MAKES trade very
GrIl and uncertain. Money becomes scarce
and business is demoralized wonderfully.
The rPporter was unable TO give any in
formation. for there's none to be had. Ii
the Wheeling manufacturers know any
thing about the proposed reduction, they
display a wonderful facility for keeping
quiet about it. Some idea may be had OF
the difficulty OF getting information from
the following interview with Secretary
Weeks, of the Western Nail Association:
Mr. J. d. Weeks Vas asked il a meeting
of the manufacturers, who organized last
year, was not held on "Wednesday immedl-
ately after the meeting OF the Western
Iron Association on Wednesday.
- -" he replied, with much
earnestnesS.
Did not the manufacturers determine to
reduce the wages OF labOrs?
indulging in one ot his characteristic
smiles
III any action is taken by the manufac
turers. when will the reduction take
place. .,
How much of reduction is going to be
made
Mr. Weeks replied in
a most pleasant manner,
"G'od evening
Good evening
According to Pittsburgh mtnufactureL
there is a lack of harmony among the iron
men. 1T is true" he said, that the ques'
ton OF reduction in the wages was dig
cussed this afternoon, but there was no
decision, and will not likely be any until
after the members OF the Amalgamated
Association are prepared TO submit their
scale, which will not he until Saturday
next. \ very considerable number Of
manufacturers are in favor OF reduction,
but doubt il Majority can be obtained
to take stand in favor OF such move.
Those mills where specialties are made
would rather continue the present scale
than 10 run the risk of a protracted strike
or lockout. The trade is not as promising
as il should he, but if the demand improves,
as some confidently expect. don't think
the question of wages will cause very
much trouble. 1t was argued that the
dizziness which prevailed few months ago
was owing 10 the agitation on the tariff
question, and that as soon as it was settled
the trade would stitfen up. OF course the
tariff was not settled to suit us exactly, but
the expected improvement has not been
realized. The present scale IS DaseI
on 2la cent rate, Dut
know that iron has been sold
below . cents and you will see that man
ufaCturers are scanning the field for the
future with considerable anxiety. Last
wear there was so much trouble about the
signing of the scale il was understood that
if the market did not improve the work
men would submit TO a reduction, and l
believe that when the conference commit
tees come together they will arrange mat
tiers in a manner entirely satisfactory
The general convention OF the AmalSa-
mated Association will be held at Pitts
burgh to day, for the purpose OF preparing
a scale for the year beginning June l. The
delegates from this district left here last
night. When this scale is presented, if not
sooner, the inwarduesS OF the action Of the
manufacturers will he brought out.