Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-02
Iron Manufacturers and WOrkmen
Are Greatly Pleased With the
Settlement of the Scale.
THE CONFERENCE is A GOOD THING.
Amalgamation Association officials Predict
Important Changes Within the
Next Few Years.
TOFIx THE SCALE FOR ATERM OF YEARS
Part the Worlds Fair Celebration is Expected to
Play in Labor Circles.


find out if possible in what way the most
money can be made under the new scale,
and the workmen begin to devise new
''extras" and plan by which an increase
in wages can be secured next year. The
scale for 1S90-91 seems to give pretty general
satisfaction. Some Of the manu- acturers
argue that the terms are too high, but the
argument of the men is that the manu-
iacturers should congratulate themselves
that they are not higher.
Severac manufacturers were seen yester-
day by DISPATCH reporters, and asked for
their opinion as to the merits of the scale
and the condition of the iron and steel in
dustry. Some would not talk at all, others
spoke cautiously. None of those seen
would say that the trade was in more than
an ordinary fourishing condition. They all
commend the Amalgamated Association s
plan for settling the scale disputes, while
officers Representing the workmen predict
that the time is not far distant when a ma
tional conference committee will settle the
scale for the entire Eastern and Western
districts, and that the scale will be signed
for term of two to three years at time
1t is argued that this will afford special ad-
Vantsges for both sides.
WHAT SOME OF THEM SAY.
E. NJ. Byers, Of A. M. Byers & Co.,
who was q member o. the conference COM
mittee, was very reluctant to say anything
for publication. He thought, however, 1t
was quite relief to the community gener-
ally to have the matter settled. Conth uing
be said: 81 think the scale has been settled
in the proper manner. The conference COM
mittee is the only place where entire salts
faction can be secured for both sides. 1
like the way in which the Amalgamated
Association conducts it's affairs. 1t is man
aged by lot of clear-headed, conservative
men who understand their business.
As to the condition of trade,
don't think there ever was time when
the trade was in as good a shape; when the
prices were SO salts actory, and when the
business was really pleasant one to be en-
gagged IN as last fall. Prices were not too
high, but they ran alcng at an even gait
and made the manufacturers feel as though
they would have a boom for the next year.
But they went all to pieces and do not
think the outlook is so bright.
There was some talk of signing the scale
for three years, but 1 would never have
agreed to that, not even if sliding scale had
been adopted. A sliding scale never slides
but one way-toward the workmen.
WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.
f'Besides, if we had been tied up for three
years we would have gotten the worst of it.
The tariff will only get through the House
by a very small majority, and 1 firmly be-
lieve it will be defeated in the Senate. The
l. . L. i Al
is any. 1t is based on 2-cent card and we
buy iron at 15s"
James &. Werner, of the Pittsburg Forge
and Iron Company, smiled as he said: 1--WE
do not like the scale at all, but it's the best
thing we could get, and what were we to do
but TO accept it? w e don't like it because we
think the men are getting too much money,
and we do not like this annual worry over
it We offered to sign last years
scale Tor a term of three years, but
the Amalgamated committee would not
accept it. OF course, it is a good thing for
everybody concerned that the matter is set
tied. In our business trade is about the
same as last year. In track material be-
lieye it is better, but in heavy constructural
work it is not as good. Prices NAV be a
trife higher than last year and the outlook
Tor busy year is fair, but not to say fatter-
ing.
81 like the methods of the Amalgamated
Association in settling the scale. 1t is the
best labor organization l know OF. 1t lives
up strictly to its rules, and that is big ad-
vantage 10 the manu- ufacturers. The Confer
ence Committee is the proper place to have
the scale fixed, as it is the only means
by which satisfaction can be guaranteed to
all parties. 1 cannot tell whether the Man
ufacturers' Association will be revived or
not but 1 think we will always be able to
have committee meet the Amalgamated
people"
FEW STEEL FIRMS SIGNED.
W. j. Lewis, of the Linden Steel Com
pany, did not care to say much, as the scale,
SO far as his mill is concerned, has not been
settled. Few of the steel firms have signed.
The demand for a man at each furnace in
the steel mills is something new to the steel
manufacturers, and they are slow about
concedIng them. They claim that the
men in charge of the furnaces can
look after three about as easy as
one, and therefore regard the demands as
unjust. Mr.. Lewis, however, is believer
in the value of con ierence committee. 'If
one frm," said he, succeeds in getting
something the others do not, the less FORUM
ate ones are jealous; and it is the same way
with the men. The conference committee
satisfaction. The outlook for the coming
year is not by any means discouraging,
although prices are down"
Secretary Martin, OF the Amalgamated
Association, did not hesitate TO say that, in
his opinion, the iron industry is in an ex-
ceediugly prosperous condition. 'I have
an idea," he said, that the coming year
will surpass last year by large per cent,
and for the next two years there will be a
L. L
OF settling the scale. 1 believe the time will
come when it will be found an advantage to
tine manufacturers to sign the scale or a term
OF years-say two or more. This will apply
not only to the iron mills, but also TO the
steel works.
Il also believe that if the affairs of the
Amalgamated Association are managed and
manipulated properly it will not be many
years until they can get national confer
ence on the iron question. l mean by that
a committee to settle the scale for the East
ern and Western districts at the same time.
STEP THAT WAY.
"The signing of the scale in tine East this
year is a step in that direction. If the as
sociation holds on to what they have already
secured, and continues to build up, they
can have everything l have predicted for
them. OF course, it may have its ups and
downs, and expect it will have, but with
good generalship the association can MAIN
tain the honorable name it has already won,
and continue to secure valuable advantages
to its members"
E A Keil, a member of the Advisory
Board, was positive the next year promises
to be better year in the iron industry than
any year for the past six has been. He
thinks the Conference Committee is the
proper place to settle the scale. 1--WE would
prefer to have the manufacturers organize
and send Ms a committee every year. We