The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-18
THE AMAIGAMATRD ASSOCIATION.
A Proposition to Close for Three Months
Received with Disfayor.

THE AMALGAAATRD ASS0ClATlON.
A Proposition to Close for Three Months
Received with DisfaVor.
PITTSBURGH. Pa, June 1.-THE ANAL
gamated Association Convention Assem-.
bled las usual yesterday morning.
The most important measure intro
duced under the head OF new business,
was resolution which provides for q
general shut down OF three months II
the manufacturers do not believe that
the present wages can be paid. This
resolution was adopted by unanimous
vote shortly after the opening of the
convention yesterday morning. II was
put In shape and turned over to the
chairman OF the Conference Committee.
This committee left the hall about 10
o'clock and went down to the rooms OF
the Western Iron Association, in the Rem
shaw building. The wage question was
discussed at lepgth, and the manufac-
turers reiterated their arguments to the
effect that it would be impossible to pay
old wages under the present prices.
These arguments were refuted by the
workers, who claimed that although
prices were lower, the cost of produc-
ton was also less. The workmen seem
more determined than ever before to
stand lockout, and so stated at the
conference yesterday morning. This
question was discussed at length, and
the members chatted pleasantly on the
subject until about l2 o'clock, when it
was decided to adjourn until l0:30
o'clock on Tuesday morning.
SOME OF TIE ARGUMENTS.
Among the arguments and statements
presented by the Amalgamated Asso-
citation Committee, was the resolution
adopted unanimously by the conven-
ton, to the fact that, il the manufacture
ers could not pay the prices desired, a
Of three months would be
asked by the workmen in preference to
q cut in wages. They argued that no re-
duction in wages is necessary at this
time, but stated that il the manufacture
ers could not afford to pay the present
rates it would be better To close the mills
until trade frightened up.
The manufacturers argue that tho
Presidential year is always dull, and that
there is stagnation in business until
somebody is elected. Rather than ac-
cept production in wages, the workers
express willingness TO allow the mills
to be closed for three months until the
question is settled. They believe, how
ever, that the manufacturers can pay the
present scale OF wages, notwithstanding
the uncertainty in trade occasioned by
the Mills bill, or other low-tarif meas
ures now being urged in Congress.
Every effort was made yesterday to
prevent the resolution OF the conven-
tion, agreeing TO three months shut
down, from being made public, but it
got out, delegate neglecting TO keep the
matter secret. When it was made
known, President Weihe was asked by
reporter for the text Of the resolution,
but he
REFUSED TO GIVE IT,
saying: "You know enough now, and it
is altogether unnecessary to give you
any further information on the subject.
The resolution was passed, and it is not
necessary to publish it in detail. I pos
itively refuse to give it."
This settled the question and the res
olution cannot be given in full, but the
substance is as stated. The men are
willing to remain idle three months,
rather than consent to q reduction in
wages, as proposed by the manufacture
ers.
When the conference committee re-
turned and announced that they had
adjourned until next Tuesday morning,
the convention got down TO business.
The special committee on the steel work.
ers' scale, reported that they had consid-
cred the different scales now in opera
ton in the various steel mills Of the
country.
They stated that the wages Of rollers
and roughers and catchers in Carnegie's
mills were from 20 TO 40 per cent lower
than paid elsewhere. A revision in
these prices will be decided upon before
the convention closes. Mr.. Schillo, a
boss roller, said that he paid his rougher
g so n day. President Weihe stated
that SchilIo earned $35 a day. This
caused dispute, and when a question
was asked delegate from the American
4EOu NOEkb HuhL ue eATueu uuy1 ue
refused to answer the question. This
occasioned
A LIVELY DEBATE,
but it was promptly squelched by Presi-
dent Wiehe, who claimed that debate
on the question was out Of order. .
The puddler delegates arc not salts
fed with the way business is being con-
Quoted, and claim that the finishers have
the best OF it all the way through. They
say they are ready to stand lockout, OF
not three but six months, and affirm that
q reduction is entirely unnecessary.
The Committee on Constitution was
making its report, when time for ad-
journment arrived. They recommend
ed that machinists, blacksmiths, mill
wrights in the iron and steel mills and
all men employed in and around the
mills and furnaces be admitted TO the
organization. This part OF the report
was laid over for consideration at tho
session Monday. After the transaction
OF some minor business the convention