The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-09
IRON WORKERS SCALE.
THE AMALeAMArEo ASSOCIATION
Conference at Pittsburgh, saturdly-The hsetins
Characterized BY Good Tempered Discussion
OF All Questions NO Scale Adopted.
The Eject orths New Tariff Bill.

| IETlnbukhHt L Az hpIll t74hU aAhAA
struggle between capital and labor wa
renewed to-day. A full meeting Of repre-
sentatives OF the Amalgamated Association
was hello, at which the wage question was
thoroughly discussed, There were in all
forty. eight delegates present at the confer
ence, representing the iron workers OF st,
Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia. Wheeling,
Chicago and other points East and West.
The discussion, although protracted, was
carried on without any display OF antagon-
ism, all present seeming to agree in the
belief that the easiest way Of settling the
matter with the manufacturers was the
best. There was no disposition to ask an
advance over the present rates OF wages.
It is safe TO say, in view OF to-day's meet
ing, thar il there is strike II will be pre-
cipitated by the manufacturers, In an
endeavor TO depart from the present scale,
which seems satisfactory to the working
men. One very fair indication is that the
Amalgamated Association Is desirous Of
settling the differences between labor and
capital on fair basis, and that the Asso.
citation wishes no serious complications to
arise, is the fact that there is nothing like
the bitter feeling and inimical disposition
toward the manufacturers manifested last
year, the members appearing cheerful and
showing disposition to discuss the matter
in question without any display Of preju-
dice or Ill feeling. .-l' Il
This was the first meeting Of the Anal
gamated Association since the Chicago
Convention. Heretofore the Pittsburgh
district has set the price and arranged the
yearly scale, but to-day the question was
left'tO meeting Of delegates from every
district in tho country. Manufacturers
who were seen this morning seemed to ap-
prehend decided lock in the negotiations
between themselves and their workmen,
and several expressed the conviction that
the price OF iron at present makes it com.
, paratively easy for the owners to shut
down, il such step becomes necessary.
There is a feeling OF uneasiness among iron
manufacturers here in consequence OF re.
ports received from various parts OF the
country that the free trade organizations
are making great exertion TO present bold
front in the next Congress, when the ques-
ton of further tariff legislation is revived
Joseph D. Weeks, Secretary OF the West
ern Iron Association, in an interview on
the subject, said Immediately after the
passage Of the Tariff Bill, l predicted that
the whole battle would be fought over in
the next Congress, and present advices bear
me out. 1 never had the least doubt con-
cerning the matter, and the persons who
are to lead the movement for another re-
vision have not commenced their work
any sooner than expected" l'.I
"llow will sentiment In favor OF new
revision be worked up?"
"That will be comparatively easy" re.
piled Mr.. Weeks; through the free trade
papers OF the country and in pamphlets
sent out by the free trade organizations.
The new Tariff Bill will be attacked as a
measure that is inCongruous generally with
rates that are too high in many particulars.
With these arguments fired at tie people
broadcast, 1t will not be hard to work up
very general sentiment TO support an at
tempt at revision"
"How will the iron manufacturers re.
gard the mover" was asked.
"They will certainly fight it. The pres,
ent tariff is bad enough, butany bill passed
by Democratic Congress, would be In
tlnitely worse"
"Will not the mere attempt at revision
unsettle business again?"
''0f course it will; but all sthe trouble
might have been remedied II the Tariff
bill OF 1888 had never become law. AS 1t
Is, the industries Of the country will have
10 stand another shaking up" 81 -
The Convention did not adjourn until
1880 tonight. The fact that it was pro.
longed 10 such an extent indicates that
questions arose which were not easy settled.
This is confirmed by President Jarrett's
statement that no scale was adopted, and
by his absolute refusal to say anything
whatever touching the matters discussed,
or what they proposed doing with regard
10 wages. Nor would he express an opin.
ion with regard to the probability of a
strike. The appointment of fa committee
Of conference 10 meet the manufacturers at
an early dateis further evidence that final
action was not taken, or il taken at all, was
conditional. .,.;..
Delegates werea in good humor when
the Convention dissolved, but all efforts to
extract information from them was abor.
tive. A motion was adopted pledging all
IN a hanlutA aagrhNU E~H ..... F..I . .