The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-04-02
WAS IT V0LUNTARY?.
p1p HRRsEY LODGE SURRENDER
II. chaE.or 70 The Amalgpmated Asaoeia.
don or wa. i. Taken From IL by the
oflssrss-A Neg Phase Put on the
Matter By President weihe.


=
Matter By President weihe.
@The Amalgamated Association Of Iron
and Steel Workers is inherently as strong
as ever 1t was, and yearly tits becoming
stronger, both in membership and inau.
ence," said President William Nyeihe, Of
the Association, to q Pittsburgh reporter.
81 am aware that there are many reports
in circulation affecting the integrity Of the
Association, but we are saying nothing
Just now, nor do we intend to say any
thing at the present. The day for signing
the scale is not far distant and anything
we might say might be misconstrued and
used against u.s."
"Can you give an idea by States Of the
ramiHcations Of the AmalganahonY
"Well, In New England wo have lodges
in Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
We have them throughout the Middle
States, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee,
Colorado and Kentucky. Some time ago
we had lodges in California and Nebraska.
In all OF these States the
LODGES ARE rLouRlsn1Se
and the members satisfied with the pro-
lection that the Association extends to
them. In some instances the long time
that work has been suspended In certain
localities has prevented members from
keeping up dues, but in no instance has
their faith in the principles Of the organi.
cation waned or weakened, and the most
answering members are those whose
faith has been tested by the ordeal OF
want and loss OF work. The newspapers
talk as II the lapse OF the iron business
will obviate the neceaity for an organiza-
ton OF this kind. This is not true. Just
as soon as steel supplants iron just that
soon, will the steel workers be organized
on tile same principle that iron workers
were organized and for the same purpose.
It Is not because Of the fact that we have
been making iron that We organized. We
banded together TO compass reforms and
to protect our labor and to secure uni
formity in wages and work. The transit
ton from iron to steel is but step. II
will change the condition Of working to
some extent, but still, steel will require
workmen and these workmen will be
organized"
TAKEN FROM IT.
"What have you to say about the Bell
aire lodge that withdrew"
"There is another instance OF misrepre-
sentatioa. Hersey Lodge did not surren-
der its charter. The charter was taken
| from 1t, There are established rule5 for
the government OF the Amalgamation, and
any violation OF these rules carries with il
| its penalties. The members OF tho lodge
refused to acquiesce in our statutes and
had 10 abide BY the consequences. There
| is only one steel plant in Bellaire. There
arc other lodges there. Another thing,
the members Of Hersey Lodge are largely
stockholders in the mill, and hence are
manufacturers"
evil tho puddlers, whose services are
no longer necessary on account OF the use
OF steel, fall out OF the Association
"Not entirely. In many instances the
puddlers are finding work in the steel
works, and will, OF course, retain their
membership. In other words, as long as
they are iron workers they are within the
pale OF the Association"
IN PRIME CONDITION.
"You think, then, that the Amalgama:
ton is on as strong footing as ever?
That is, you think there is no danger Of
disintegration?" :,
~ most certainly think the order is in
prime condition. 1t is an organization
whose primary object is the protection OF
labor, uniformity in wages, the care OF its
members and the general good of them
all. 1t has been Of signal benefit tous all.
There is no reason why 1t should disband
or disintegrate. The attainment of its OBJ.
jects is OF as much importance now as 1t
was when 1t was organized years ago"
The Pittsburgh Commercial. Gazette, from
which the above Is quoted, says also:
Ex-Vice- President @. D. Thompson, Of
Wheeling, was in the city yesterday, but
declined to talk as he had withdrawn from
his position to go into business outside Of
the Amalgamation.
Secretary William Martin said he con.
CURED in the remarks OF Mr.. Weihe, all Of
which he had heard. The Association, he
said, had taken no steps to define its posi-.
ton or to contradict the conflicting and
lying rumors concerning it.