New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-20
IN IRON WORKER rs S SUSPICIOUS.
PITrsBURG IRON WORKERS DEMAND TIE OLD WAGE

PITrsBURG IRON WORKERS DEMAND TIE OLD WAGES
how THEY HELP EASTERN MILLS. ~
To the Editor or TIE Tribune.
SIR: 1t is just announced that the convention
Of delegates Of the Associated Iron and Steel Workers haA
decided to demand for the next year the old rate Of
wages, based S5 so tor pudding For one proposX
ask all workers think how this thing came to pasa
few weeks ago II understood that there would b
disposition on the part OF the workers to the In.
dusry here from serious disasters by proposing mod.
crate reduction of Everybody knows, suppose
that the works in this region have been at serious dis
advantage for years because forced to pay much hhet
than have been paid in the eastern part of tha
State in other Eastern States The difference has been
so great that fully accounts for the comparative weak
ness shown by the Western establishments since the
depression In the iron trade began, for the great number
Of failures that have occurred among them 1t account
oo for the fact that the making OF pudded iron in many
forms has of late been entirely abandoned by
largest establishments In this region which
have turned their capital and machinery to the
manufacture Of some kinds Of Steel and particularly to
the making OF structural steel But of the iron
works here cannot make that change, and will have to
stop altogether unless they compete with the East
works. Hence in meeting not long ago. they
determined that decrease OF 20 per cent in the
rate of necessary to enable them to continue
to give employment here.
Its the plain truth that nearly all the intelligent
members Of the association the necessity clearly,
and realized that some reducton ana that considerable
one absolutely necessary. do not believe single
man who is ht be leader be named who did not
realize and openly admit this The only question seemed
be whether the associated workers should consent
the reduction desired by the employers or agree upon
and propose smaller rate OF reduction,
of tdiug over the difficulty The latter course was
generally advised by those who have In times past been
most faithful and most udicious III defending the rights
But it did not suit the interests of two
parties that there should be peace and
prosperity in Pittsbure. The anarchists
here to talk and to conspre and the employers
OF Eastern works sent men here Also one can under
stand the crazy anarchists, what they want aud hsw
they about It, But the missionaries OF the other sort
are easily understood, particularly by innocent
men who think that persons VINO claim to represent
knights OF Labor and other workers ORGANIZATIONS must
of be sincere In seeking the interests of workers.
This is known at ali events To some OF us, that the per-
this place by Eastern iron works prolessed
to be high in the ncis OF the champions VI aDor anu
Jealous rights OF labor. and yet their very lodg
lngs and dinners, 10 say nothing OF their liquor came
out OF the pockets of Eastern employers 80
When such these have private interviews with
OF the workers VINO have most Influence, ana then
these latter get mp and argue Hereby In meetings OK
workers for the very which, not long they
denouucng suicidal, what is to be thought of
think, at all events. think s6a. the Eastern
employers, who could afford to give 100000 to cause
big strike continuance OF the OLD WAGES IN the PITTS
burg district found mighty glib takers IN the as
ISOLATION willing 10 act AS their attorneys
they half what their services were worth to Eastern
employers these loud champions OF labor can now anord
TO lie of year, whether Others get any work next
year 1t seems to me we have no right TO think III
Of each other, where there Is any reasonable ground
when q man does his for weeks TO make 10
impossible do any work In the mill In which ne ~ EN-
pO ed and has his private relations with the agents or
other concerns which coud well afford to pay LARGELY for
the very thing he DONG cannot get rld OF the belief
though he may be to the interests OF Others.
In that way IT comes that the iron business OF TINS as
never been worse deceived according 10 my belief than
they In this latest step which means munger or
them is worth fortune to the owners Of some Last
Ptasburg, April Is, 1885.