Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-03
THE SCALE IS READY.
What the Iron and Steel Workers
Will Demand for Next Year.
NO DIFFICULTY is EXPECTED.
Efforts May be Made to Have the Glass
workers Case Reopened.
JOSEPH L. EVANS OFFICIAL REPORT

The Wage Committee of the Anal
gamated Association completed its work last
evening at 5 o'clock, and the scale went
into the hands of Secretary Martin, who
was given instructions to put it in shape for
presentation to the convention, which meets
to-day. The provisions OF the new scale are
guarded with great secrecy by the members
OF the Wage Committee. They will not
even give information to members of the
association, lest it leak out before being
presented to the convention. With all their
secrecy, however, they could not prevent
some points from gaining circulation.
It is known that many changes will be
made in the scale. and the most important
of these is the advance to be asked for in
boiling. This was not decided upon by the
Wage Committee individually. A member
of the committee said last evening that an
expression had been secured from every
subordinate lodge, and the committee was
compelled to be governed by the wishes OF
the majority.
THINK THEY CAN AFFORD IT.
The estimated growth and development Of
the iron trade, given in various talks with
manufacturers in connection with the census
as printed in The DISPATCH, has proven an
impetus for the men to push their demands
with greater zeal. They are conndent the
manufacturers can afford to pay an advance,
and they say they will not ask for anything the
manufacturers cannot pay.
If the scale as reported to the convention is
adopted, S6 will be asked for boiling on a Accent
card. and 81 Is on g. with so cents extra per
TOP for boiling half pig iron and half pot metal
and stove plate. Other extras will be charged,
ranging from Is cents to 81, for castings and
runners over rs pounds to the piece, and for hot
ore fix.
There will be more "extras" in the scale this
year than usual, owing to the admission of
laborers and common mill hands, who must be
provided for. There is expected to be lively
fight over the differences between the
roughers and catchers and rollers. The
roughers and catchers receive S2 90 and
lively. They are asking for a more equal di-
vision of the wages paid the rollers. Some
rollers make as much as So per ton, according
to the gauge, and the roughers and catchers
There will also be a demand for an advance
in all departments Of steel mills. The men
here want a 10 per cent advance all around in
every department They will ask for this, and
will compromise the matter on the adoption of
a sliding scale, to be governed during the year
by the price of steel.
BASIS OF THE CLAIM.
It is claimed that steel has advanced more
than s3 per ton during the last year, and the
men have received no benefit of this advance.
Many of the manufacturers are already
Stacking mp in anticipation of trouble. Some
Of the men spoken to expressed themselves as
believing the manufacturers would not sign
the scale, and are beginning dullneSs in trade
to prevent an advance being asked. But"
said one of them, I'VE will make our
we will get about everything we ask for. We
have no manufacturers committee to deal
with any more. We deal directly with the
firms, and it is much more satisfactory. l
don't believe there will be any difficulty. The
annual cry of the manufacturers is that they
will not sign the scale, but they always come
around in the end"
The Amalgamated has an increased advan-
tage this year. in a largely increased member
ship, which adds to its strength. Last year
there were not more than 200 delegates present.
while this year there will be at least $50 which
shows an increase in membership Of from 5000
to 5000. Aside from this, the association is
backed up by an enormous treasury, which
enables 1t to stand very hrm.
MOST IMPORTANT MEETING.
This will be one of the largest and most
important conventions ever held by the associa-
tion. It is not probable that President Weihe
will be reelected, owing to his repeated
refusals to serve another term. Should this
prove the case, an entire change Of the execu-
tive department of the association will possibly
follow. There are several candidates for the
position of President.
The convention will be called to order this
morning in New Turner Hall, Forbes street.
The first thing on the programme is the hearing
and disposing of contested seats. This will
likely consume the greater part of the day. SO
that it is very probable the Wage Committee
will not be able to report before tomorrow
morning. The delegates came in yesterday and
last night by the score, and most of them are
quartered at the Central, st. Charles and Home
Hotels
Arrangements have been completed for the
mammoth picnic at Rock Point, next Saturday
1t Is expected 3, 900 will be present