Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-18
COMING TO A CRISIS.
The Pennsylvania Steel Company
Given Seven Days in Which
TO SIGN THE AMALGAMATED SCALE
Flint Workers Say 10 Per Cent Reduction
Has Been Asked.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL ITEMS

Interest in the labor dispute at Steelton is
increasing. 1t is given out now that the
men will strike as soon as they can receive
the sanction of the Executive Board of the
Eastern district. The subject was the chief
topic among Amalgamated officials in the
city yesterday, as they are fully aware that
the utmost efforts of the steel company are
to be put forth to break up
the association at Steelton. The
company has been given seven days
in which to reconsider their action on re-
fusing to recognize the Association. This
time will expire next Wednesday. Presi-
dent Weihe will be home from st. Louis by
that time, and if the scale is not signed it
is almost certain he will hold conference
with the Executive Board of the Eastern
district, and that at least LOO men will be
called out on strike
The Scale Presented by the Men.
The scale as presented by the men pro-
vides for an advance in wages of from 20 to
25per GEN., and includes the following sup
Elementary agreement:
We, the undersigned committee represent
ing the Amalgamated Association of Iron and
sent to your earnest consideration the fol-
lowing scale of prices to govern the several
departments for one year, beginning July ~
1891, and ending June 80, 1892 When the sell
ing price of rails is $50 per ton, when rails ad-
vance the men to receive proportionate
advance in the wages; when rails decline, to
| receive proportionate decrease in the
wages, the same to go into effect quarterly,
on the lst of January, April, July and Octo-
Der. 1t is also agreed upon that the men re-
ceive no reduction below the prices herein
specified, as the same is based on the manu-
facturers' card of $50 per ton for steel rails,
being the lowest limit upon which the same
shall be manufactured. This shall apply to
all other departments passing the scale upon
in the respective departments. The associa-
tion also requests the reinstatement of all
the men discharged by the company for be
ing members of the Amalgamated Assocfa-
tion of Iron and Steel Workers.
Must Strike to Be Consistent.
Officials of the Amalgamated Association
said yesterday that this scale would un-
doubtedly be signed. If the company re-
fuses, in order to be consistent with its
policy the association must strike. But
there is hitch here that will create some
trouble. The consti ,ution of the association
provides that no strike benefits can be paid
during the months of July and August.
The steel company is in possession of these
ldcUS, anu 10 uOV lear StIlke, lOT tuey
know that the men would fare much the
same as the carpenters did without funds.
Vice President Carney, of the Associa-
ton, said last night that special provisions
are made for such emergencies, and that in
case strike is ordered at Steelton the men
will be we'll cared for. The sum of
S15, 900 was voted to the credit of the men
now on strike at Pencoyd, and is being paid
to them bi-monthly, 81, 600 being sent to
them yesterday.
Indorsed by the Business Men.
The business men in Steelton have ex-
pressed themselves as indorsing the de-
mands of the men, and are of the opinion
that the company cannot afford a strike.
The bosses have been notified to meet at
the office of the company TO-DAY for a con-
sultation, and this gave the men the opinion
yesterday that the firm was considering the
scale.
There was considerable excitement at Du-
quesne when the plant started up at that
place. Only one turn was made yesterday,
and the mill will only be operated in day
light for a while. The company has offered
to take back all the old hands, but the latter
decline to accept the offer. It was reported
last night that Homestead men will go to
Duquesne to-day to try to get the new men
to quit work. If they do there will be
trouble. Sheriff McClearv has his deputies
ON duty yet, and any attempt to interfere
with the men at work will be resisted.