Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-07-02
IT IS ON.
THE GREAT IRON WORKERS STRIKE
Begins in all the Western Union lion
Mills.

PITTsBURG, PA, June 3O.-There Is NJ
change in the iron situation this morning
Both sides present firm front, and wher
the day turns 90 off this evening all the
mills in the West, but twelve operated By
pon-union men, will close down for an in
definite period. A dispatch from Youngs
town, o., reports the mill in the Mahon'
ing vally preparing for protracted sus'
pension.
Notwithstanding the discouraging re-
ports received by the mill men, they do not
seem to be worried. Almost all who were
spoken to believe the suspension will not
continue longer than two or three weeks
A shut down is always necessary at this
time of the year for repairs and stock TAX
log The manufacturers, they claim, have
used the same arguments for years, and
always opposed the Amalgamated Associa-
ton as vigorously as at present. Since
the strike of 1882, the scale has been
signed in conference with but one
exception and that was in 1885,
when strike was declared. One by one
the firms signed the scale that year, and
the strike was over, and the mills were all
in operation within month.
On the other hand the manufacturers
s~sert that their mills are in good repairs,
and that they could run all summer, but
they will not pay more than IS 90 per ton
for pudding 10 speaking of this situa-
ton, Charles J. Trsnter, prominent
manufacturer of Cincinnati, said:
1.-THE conference committees have ad-
iourned sine die, and the mills will be shut
down this evening. There are no hard
feeling existing between the worknen and
manufacturers. 1t is matter Of bust
ness on both sides. We can't success
fully make iron with the present
wages. The price paid for labor is
cheaper in Philadelphia than it is
in his sections. The time will come when
uniform wages will be paid in all parts OF
the country. Ii the men here make a
point to-day they will lose twice as much
to. morrow by the operation. The manu-
facturers cannot retreat from their posi-
tions. This must be apparent to every |
body who understands the situation. My |
opinion is that the great body Of the men
would be willing to accept the scale, but
they are led on by those above them"
The manufacturers expect a few to sign |
the scale, but they claim that they will be
small concerns and that their signing will
not effect the situation. At noon the
Amalgamated officials received informa.
ton that the scale had been signed
by the Apollo Iron and Steel company, OF
hot
have signed, so far, the other two being
the Akron Iron company, of Akron, Ohio,
and the Lsughlin and junction Steel com.
paDy, at Mingo, Ohio. The three mills
employ about ], 400 men.
A dispatch just received by President
Heating, Of the Manufacturers Associa-
ton, from the Kelly Iron company, and
the Bell Fonte Iron company, OF lronton,
Ohio, states that they will not sign the
scale, even lift is signed by the Pittsburg
a. they can get their work
done cheaper. Mr.. Heating says the sign
ing of the scale by the Apollo company
will have no effect, as they were not MEM
bers of the Manufacturers Association.
THE MILLS CLOSED.
The employees finished up their work to.
day, and left everything in good order for
the indefinite shut down. President
Heating, of the Manufacturers Associa-
lion, said this evening that the telegram
from the Irouton mills, shows how
strong the feeling is among the manufac-
turers to insist upon the iron work
Frs accepting reduction in wages,
if they expect the mills to
resume operations ''There will be
no more conferences" said he. 'at least the
will not ask for one. They
have given their ultimatum. They can do
no more. II the Amslgamated people
want to accept our scale they can do 80,
but the depressed iron market will not
permit our signing the scale for the con-
finuance of the present wages. Other
seen talked in about the
zane strain. B. F. Jones said their works
would remain closed until satisfactory
,cale is presented by the workers. He
claimed that there was no dissension
among the manufacturers, and he did not
believe that any firm would sign the pres
mt scale.
CARNEGIE'S WORKS.
Interest is being directed to the works
IF Carnegie, Phipps & Co, but nothing of
4 definite character regarding their inten-
lions could be learned. The manager said
hat he could not make any positive state
nent as it was not possible to tell just
DOW what might occur. 1t is among the
that Carnegie will make
some offer 70 the men within
\ few days. One of the
gorkmen stated that there was an impress
non growing that no difficulty was appre-
nended so far as the pudding department
was concerned, but that they would insist
IN the finishers accepting the reduction,
Through this position OF the firm some
hing may transpire at any time, although
neither side is saying much.
A BIG BREAK.
Oliver Bros. q Phillips, the largest firm
IN the city, signed the scale tonight, and
heir four mills will continue in operation.
The Amalgsmated people are jubilant
over the break, which is most I'M
portant one. The firm employs over 8, 600
men and is one of the largest in
this city. D. B. oliver, who affixed his
signature to the scale was q member Of
the Manufacturers Conference COMMITTEES,
but he was absent from the final meeting,
and confirms the report that the firm had
decided to concede the demands Of their
workmen. In an interview tonight he
stated they were forced to sign the scale
on account Of contracts that had to be