Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-26
IRWIN IS BOUNCED.
Special Agent Of the Carpenters
Shelved Because He Talked
AGAINST THE STRIKERS CAUSE.
A. N. Swartz Now Likely to Be Returned
as a District Leader.
LOCAL MINERS WILL MEET TO-DAY

Agent Irwin, of the Carpenters Council,
put new life in the building trades strike
yesterday. Unfortunately for him, how
ever, he stands good chance of being de
posed prematurely, although he had been
quoted previously in THE DISPATCH on prac-
tically the same subject in which he ex-
pressed himself in about the same manner.
And when Mr.. Swartz was informed that the
special agent was thought to be working in
the interest of the bosses, that gentleman re-
marked: "Well, we have all had our suspi-
cions, and Mr.. Irwin will be watched"
1t appears that Mr.. Irwin was not watched
as closely as the leaders had intended he
should be, and at the time when they least
expected he gave to the public his honest
convictions regarding the ability of the
men to win the present fight. He was slated
for a shelf any way. The election for special
agent is only two weeks ahead and 1t Is the
intention of the leaders in the district
council to return Mr.. Swartz to his old posi-
tion. John Patton, another active member
of the council, Is q candidate, but it is said
he must defeat the ring to win.
Suspended by the Strike Committee.
Mr.. Irwin was temporarily suspended
from active service at a meeting of the
Strike Committee, yesterday afternoon. At
the meeting of the District Council tonight
he will be asked to resign. There was talk
last night of an effort being made to expei
him from the brotherhood, but after matters
cool down some, better Judgment may pre-
vail and he will be allowed to remain. His
friends insisted last night that he had said
nothing but what was true, and the mem
bers of local Union No. 230 were highly
pleased that the position they had main
tanned ever since the strike commenced had
been indorsed by the chief officer Of the dis
trict.
There was an interesting conversation
between Mr.. Swartz and Mr.. Irwin yester-
day on Smithfield street, when the two
"WiII you deny that statement published
yesterday morning?" inquired Mr.. Swartz.
mo-" replied Agent Irwin, deliberately.
ut is straight. rs all right, is it'"
"Then you are devoid of all principle and
you should be ashamed. It's blank shame,
and you haven't heard the last of it."
was cSarasd wsh nyinS sold out ali
sorts of treachery, and it looked for awhile
that he would be mobbed, but all the while
the agent was calm and endeavored to ex-
plain his position. 1t was of no use, and he
finally had to leave, followed by the jeers of
a lot OF angry carpenters.
The Contractors Well Pleased.
None were more pleased at the turn af-
fairs have taken than the contractors. They
have been maintaining right along that the
men would get to fighting among them
selves, and then they (the contradictory
would win the strike. They predict now
that the planning mill men will follow Mr..
Irwin's advice and return to work under the
old rules. Then it would be much more diff
cult for a part of the carpenters to win eight
hours when another portion of them are
working nine. The present position is the
one the contractors have been looking for
for three weeks.
As predicted in THE DISPATCH, work was
resumed on Alvin Joslyn's theater yesterday
under the nine-hour rule. Six non-union
bricklayers and as many plasterers and hod-
carriers were put to work under two police
men. A large number of strikers fingered
around the place all day, but made no at
tempt to interfere with the work. A num-
ber Of workmen came into the city yesterday
from the various points and more have been
advertised for in Chicago. 1t is expected
that several hundred will be here in o day
or two.
Some Claims of Both Sides.
The master bricklayers claim they cannot
employ more than 200 men steadily, even
though the strike were settled Agent
O'Brien, of the Journeymen Bricklayers'
Union, said last night that he had secured
material and men to begin work
the Liberty Said job 0ang
men employed by Murphy = Diebold had
quit work and made application to join the
union.
Everything was quiet with the master
was held in the afternoon, and
the reports showed that no member
had yet given in to the men. The trans
actions of yesterday rather strengthened
them and made them more determined not
to yield.
A meeting of the cooperative company
will be held Thursday evening. About 200
shares at $5 each have been subscribed for.