Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-05-24
SCALE CONFERENCE.
The Manufacturers and Iron Work
ers Still Debating
On a Scale That Will Meet All OBJ
jectiDns.
SentineIs Stationed at the Sanctun
to Keep the Meetings Quiet.
Nothing Known Of The Outcome of
the Iron Situation.

PITTsBURG, May 23.-It was II o'clock
last night when the conference of manutae-
turers and iron workers broke up at the
rooms of the Iron Association on Fourth
avenue. They had held long and wearl-
some session, and when an adjournment was
made at that late hour, it was only that they
should meet again at $50 o'clock this morn
ing. Nothing had been accomplished. If
the manufacturers were unwilling to make
any concessions, the iron workers were none
the less of the same mind.
When at $50 o'clock this morning the
Conference Committee began to assemble
in the rooms where they had been yester-
day, it was with very vague idea Of what
was likely to result from the meeting before
them. One thing they we're agreed upon,
and that was that everything should be car
ried on with secrecy the like OF which they
had never known before.
Determined to Maintain Secrecy.
It was authoritatively stated that, at
every entrance to the Fourth avenue sane
tum, armed sentinels had been stationed to
promptly shoot down any unwary intruder
especially that variety known as reporters.
This statement, however, was vehemently
denied by Mr. Weeks. At any rate the
doors into the conference room where lock
ed, blinds were drawn over the transoms OF
the doors, and over the entrance to Mr..
Weeks office. Outside Of the building sew
eral reporters were hugging an iron railing
and anxiously looking up 1t the windows,
as if perchance the conclusion of the diff
Guilty might suddenly outline itself in big
letters upon the glass for their benefit, since
it was risky to venture up the stairway. AT
Doon the reporters were still receiving sup
port from friendly railing, and the Confer
ence Committee were still in session in the
rooms. Not one of them had left the build
irg.
Nothing to Communicate.
I'VE have nothing for you" said Mr.
Weeks shortly after dinner, as a reporter
opened the door into his Office. 1t was not
with the best of grace either that the Sec.
retarY thus anticipated the wants OF the pub
lie, in obtaining some news on the situation.
1t was in tone that implied the desire OF
the Secretary to see the back OF the re-
porter.
When will you ADJOURN was the bold
inquiry. :.
Perhaps you can tell me that" replied
the Secretary. Il cant.
There was certainly nothing to be gained
in an interview on the situation with the
Secretary. AS the reporter turned to leave
the room, President Weihe Of the AmaIga-
mated, and Mr.. Heating, ofthe mauutactu-
rers, hurried through the Office into theinner
room. They were as uncommunicatve as
Mr. Weeks-a little more 50, indeed, for
didn't stop long enough to answer ques'
ton.
Still Discussing the Scale.
From a member of the committee, who
was caught on the fly coming out OF the
building, it was learned that the discussion
to day was only q continuation OF that OF
last evening, and what would be the result
OF it, was not for him to say. The iron
workers are holding out for the card rate for
the price OF boiling at S. per ton; said ne,
while the manufacturers were still pushing
forward the Si75 proposal. The work
men seem to be solid for scale that will
be about q ten per cent reduction
over the present. The manufacturers will
not agree to such scale. As to any action
that was taken this morning there was none.
Ii all depends on what concessions each
side is willing to make whether there will
be any settlement of the difficulty this after
noon,' and with that he hurried down the
street. While he was willing to talk about
the matter, he was very careful not to dl-
vulge any really important news AT late
hour this afternoon the secresy and the
members of the conference were still within
their barricaded doors.
Voice From n Worker.
The members Of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation who were willing to talk this mora
ing in regard 10 the outcome Of the present
conference, seemed even more determined
than ever to fight the manufacturers. I'VE
have agreed" said one Of the group, ITO &C
cept the scale giving puddlers wages on the
S. basis, and this can positively say will be
the last concession we will make to the man
ufacturers. 1t is not true that our commit
tee are inclined to look fsvorably
upon the proposition made by the manu-
facturers last night, that we accept 81 -.
Yes, it is q compromise on their part, but
we will not accept it. The men, | know,
belonging to the Lawrenceville lodges, are
of one opinion as regards this proposition,
They say stick firm for s. and that is
what will be done. If the manufacturers
now made proposition to agree to S499
we would not accept it. We will have s.
or nothing. II the manufacturers are de-
termined to make no further concessions,
then they can blame themselves when they
see their mills shut down for months to
come, and their trade drifting away"
1OPer Cent. VIII Be Accepted.
PITTsBURGH May 23.-After an all day
session the scale conference Of iron manu-
facturers and workmen adjourned this even
ing to meet again on Monday. The ques-
ton of wages for the ensuing year is still
unsettled, but it is understood that matters
have so shaped themselves that settlement
at the next meeting is assured. 1t is stated
on reliable authority that the 10 per cent
reduction proposition of the Amalgauated
Association will be accepted BY the manu-
facturers.