Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-17
WANT SOME RETURNS.
Amalgamated Men Object to Great
ing a Strike Fund Without
DERIVING SOME OF ITS BENEFITS.
Disgruntled Painters Reorganize in the
Knights of Labor.
A BUILDERS EXCHANGE DILEMMA

| The trouble over the Amalgamated scale
at Steelton seems to have led to a breach be
| tween the officers of the association and the
members of the organization at that place
Just what the differences are is hard to de-
| termine. j. w. Jones, the district deputy
organizer, paid 3 flying visit to this city on
Wednesday. He had a hurried consultation
with President Weihe, in which he explained
to the president of the Amalgamated Asso
| citation that he must promise support to the
| men in Steelton or their case there
would be hopeless one. Presi
| dent Weihe promised to do all in his
| power to help the men at Steelton to win. AS
| it has been customary of late to kcep.every-
| thing pertaining to the business of the asso-
| citation under cover, an effort was made to
prevent Mr.. Jones' presence, as well as the
object of his visit to the city, from gaining
publicity When first asked about the mat
ter yesterday, Secretary Madden said they
had received no word from Steelton. When
informed that it was known Jones had been
here he admitted the fact, but declined to
give any information. President Weihe
was not in the office and could not be found.
They Think They Were Sighted.
1t was learned, however, from an authen-
tic source, that the members of the associa-
tion in Steelton are disgruntled over an ap-
officers to slight them. A few days ago the
men there wanted to present the scale to
the Pennsylvania Steel Company, but Vice
PRESIDENT Gallagher and a committee from
this city went to Steelton and ordered them
not to take any action until the troubles at
Pencoyd and Lebanon could be settled.
This hurt the men, who began to feel that
they were not receiving justice at the hands
OF the Association.
They argued that since they have been Or
ganlzed they have paid into the treasury of
the association nearly $50, 1000, and have not
been able as yet to secure recognition by
the firm which employs them. They are
compelled to pay % cents month per capita
1or strike benefits, and they felt that they
mad been organized long enough to secure
some protection for themselves.
On Monday, when Simeon Bradley was
discharged because of his affiliation with
ms association, the men became indignant
ana Immediately sent Jones to see Presi-
dent Weihe. The conference ended with
Jones telling Mr.. Weihe that nothing would
satisfy the men at Steelton but an order to
present the scale and institute the fight for
recognition. The order was given and the
result is known.
The Plant Still in Operation.
President Bent, who has frequently said
the ASSOCIATION "could close the doors of the
mill, but it could never open them," has
given official notice that the company will
not recognize the Amalgamated scale or
organization in any way. President Bent
went from Baltimore to Steelton last night,
and is now in charge of the plant which is
still in operation. A general strike will hard
ly be ordered until President Weihe or some
other representative of the association goes
to steelton and consults with President
Bent.
The organization is in good shape there
1t has seven lodges with a total membership
OF about 1000 men, and if a strike occurs it
would certainly be long struggle and
would have serious effect on the place.
Advices from there last night were to the
effect that no immediate trouble was looked
for, but that the men there will expect the
association to do the right thing by them
without waiting on the adjustment Of diff
culties in any other place.
Affairs at DuqueSne were quiet yesterday
and it was reported last night that many of
the old men were ready to return to work,
and that the entire plant will begin opera
tion In few days. The men deny this and
say they are as firm as ever