Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-09
A BRIGHTER ASPECT
10 Now Presented In tho plttsburs
Iron and Steel Industries.
4 RESULT OF RECENT CHANGES.
The Next Great Labor Question II tho
Amalgamstsd Scale.
OFFICIALS PRESERVE AoLosE SECRECY

The Industrial situation In and about the
Vicinity ofPittsburg, as far as the iron ana
steel, coal and coke Industries are concerned,
has assumed much brighter aspect during
the past week than has characterised any
change that has occurred In these important
trades tor many months.
The satisfactory agreement on the wage
scale and peaceable settlement of all differ
ences between the miners in the Western
Pennsylvania and Ohio districts, and the
railroad coal operators of those districts, has
put an end to the threatened strike OF the
railroad and river miners, which, if it went
into effect, would probably reflect itself on
the trade in the States Of Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia.
The approach of the end OF the prevailing
ConnellsviIle coke strike by the gradual re-
sumption of work at nearly all the plants
throughout the region has caused much sat-
isfaction to those either directly or Indirectly
engaged in the trade, if for no other reason
than to witness the end of the lavlessness
and disorder that has characterised this lat
ter half of the greatest labor campaign that
has ever taken place in the history of the
many differences that from time to time
arise between capital and labor in these.
fruitful regions.
Eject Of the Changes.
The result of these changes have been no
less satisfactory than their occurrence was
rapid and surprising. In the first case, in
view Of the determined utterances of the
Columbus Convention, as regards the en-
forcement of the eight-hour day and the
1hcau - nh x.f q fta fave
between the opposing sides, held in this city
some few weeks ago, owing to the indiffer-
ence of either side to attempt any modifca-
tion Of the views of the Columbus Conven-
tion, q strike affecting both the river and
railroad miners and promising to assume
immense proportions, was thought newt
able.
The official announcement that the strike
on the basis Of the eight-hour day be de-
ferred, as the present is an inopportune
time, caused great surprise among the trade.
At the Columbus Convention, last week, the
rates were agreed upon and work was re-
commencement of this week. The terms
Northwestern trade, and the question of the
price for mining for the local trade was left
open to be settled by an arbitration board.
This latter innovation is entirely new and
leaves the wages for mining coal for local
consumption between the Miners Pit Com
mittee and the pit boss, and in the event of
failure by three parties to agree, the district
officers are appealed to, and in case of
further failure to agree on satisfactory
price the Arbitration Board Is called upon.
Chance for Endless Discussion.
The only disagreeable feature thought to
be contained In this method of wage settle
ment is that it gives opportunity for con-
tinual discussion and probably Disagree
ment, although those we'll acquainted with
its workings think tirat the mutual con-
fdence reposed in one side by the other 10 O
sufficient guarantee that justice will pre-.
vail.
The amicable adjustment of the miners
troubles has withdrawn attention from their
cause and centered itself in the outcome OF
the Connellsville strike. A report is our
rent that every working miner and miners
apprentice within the bounds of the Ameri-
can Federation will henceforth set aside 8
per cent of his weekly earnings to promote
the cause of their fellow workmen, and as q
result fully $4,000 to $40, 900 this week will
be spent in the Connellsville region to sus-
tain the strikers in their positions by furnish
ing themselves and families with the neces-
saries of life, agitating the important ques-
tions bearing on the result and in divers ways
endeavor to work success for the cause of
labor in this most important struggle.
No Great Outbreak Feared.
The condition of affairs in this region is
at present peacable, and, while no general
outbreak is feared, small-sized riots and
individual disturbances will undoubtedly
continue to mar the public peace until the
question is fually disposed Of. The num-
Der of workingmen gradually increases
from day to day, and the last authentic re-
port from the regions stated the number of
active ovens as over 1000, while the idle
list approximates $4,000. The shipments
from week to week show continued slight
increase, and all signs point to an unsuc-
cessful end for the wogkingmen.
The strike during the past five weeks has
fallen outside the limits of a properly con-
Quoted labor struggle, and the contest has
degenerated into determination to win by
brute force, by intimidation, midnight riot
ing, destruction Of property and even mur-
der. To the public mind the original con-
test has been lost sight OF, and it has as
sumed the appearance OF an outbreak against
law and order.
1t is to be regretted that such measures
are resorted to by the strikers, for in losing
public sympathy that give away a powerful
aid, and however disagreeable it may be for
the leaders to acknowledge defeat, it is only
a question of time until they will be reluc-
family forced to do 30.
Next Great Labor Question.
Probably the next important question
that will engage the minds OF the labor
world hereabouts is the annual settlement
of the Amalgamated Association scale for
the ensuing year. There has been talk
among members of changing the basis of
the wage scale to some other article than
bar iron.. Muck bar and skelp iron have
been suggested, but no positive information
can be obtained as yet, and the talk on this
point so far is thought to be mostly express
sion of individual opinion.
Suggestions on economic questions, sub
etc., are said to be down on the programme
for consideration. The general officers ad-
wise that all changes and new demands on
the wage question be submitted to the re-
spective mill firms, previous to the meeting
of the wage committee, otherwise they will
be certainly rejected by the convention, as
the law on this point is very explicit
Probably the most important question
that will come before the convention for set
Element, for the reason that it will affect
every mill within the Jurisdiction of the
Association, is the adoption
of the general sliding scale. The Homestead
mill system enforced in July, 1889, has
worked so admirably that many advocates
of the sliding scale have been gained and the
settlement of the question will be watched
with interest
Preserving Close Secrecy.
The utmost secrecy IL being preserved by
the membera aa ra0arda an odvouo. IN fha