Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-12
GLAD THE TROUBLE Is OVER.
The Settlement Of tho Ama1gamated Asso-
citation Scale Discussed From tho Manu-
facturers' Observation-Disclosures Result
OF n Disagreement-Taking Care Of

L >
| citation Scale Discussed From tho Manu-
facturers' standpoint-Probable Result
OF n Disagreement-Taking Care Of
| Homestead.
Joseph D. Weeks discusses the Pittsburg
wages settlement in the editorial columns of
| the current number of the american Manu-
tdct,r9. He says:
The wages difference-it can hardly be
| called strike or lockout-in the Pittsburg
| iron mills has been settled by the signing of
| a compromise scale after some six weeks'
| idleness, and after some l6 fruitless confer
| ences. The only unsettled labor
| differences at Pittsburg therefore, are those
| at Homestead, the sympathetic strikes at
| the Carnegie mills, and the troubles ut GER
tain mills that run non.union, though there
can hardly be said to be any unsettled ques-
ttons at the latter, as they are in operation
under agreements OF their own.
In agreeing to this reduction the Amalga-
| mated Association has shown its wisdom
and its apprecfa tion of the situation. We
regret that it mas not shown equal wisdom
in connection with other difficulties. The
indications were that it had before it bitter
struggle had it declined to make concessions,
and a struggle on different lines from those
it has been called upon to meet heretofore.
In general strikes in Pittsburg the mills
have usually remained idle, no general at
tempt having been made to run them nom
union.
Probable Result of Disagreement.
Had the conference of August 10 ad-
journed without settlement it is probable
that conferences, for the present at least,
would have been ended and an attempt
made to run some of the mills non-union.
The results of the attempts that have been
made to run mills in the Pittsburg district
with non-union men have been such pro-
nounced successes recently that there would
have been but little difficulty in starting up
several of the mills. With the exception Of
the skilled" wo1kmen is vastly less than it
was ten years ago, and consequently the
prospe ct OF success in the effort to run mills
without Amalgamated labor vastly in
creased.
The controlling motive that led the ANAL
gamated Association to consent to this re-
duction of 10 per cent Is probably not a be-
lief in its fairness, but q conviction that at
last the manufacturers meant to fight. As
we have so often pointed out, the Amalga-
mated Associations strength in past con-
tests has been not SO much in its own num-
bers and wisdom as in the weakness of the
manufacturers. The association has not be-
lieved for many years that the manufacture
ers were honest or in earnest in their claim
that they could not and would not continue
to pay the wages demanded. 1t must be
confessed that they had ample reasons to
have at last come to the conclusion that the
manufacturers meant to have reduction.
Must Taks Care of Homestead.
Even then the question if they would
have conceded the 10 per cent reduction
without a much longer contest had it not
been for the burden of the Homestead and
the sympathetic strikes. Under the rules of
the association these men must begin to re-
ceive benefits in September, and there was
no way to pay them unless the men went to
work. Home stead must be supported by
the Amalgamated Association, as it is evil
dent that the company will win and that
many of the old men VIII not have their old
places. 1t was the height of wisdom there
lore to end the difficulty at the iron mills.
The trouble has ended just as we have all
along believed 1t would, and as we believe
it could have been ended weeks ago. Had
the manufacturers not suggested reduc-
tion on pudding our informa ton was that
a 10 per cent concession on finishing would
have been made weeks ago possibly without
any stoppage at all. The demand for the
reduction in pudding, whatever might have
been the reason for it, ana there were
cogent ones, was tactical mistake. 1t
would not have been granted under any cir
cumstances and should rot have been made.
But whatever NAV have been the mistakes
made, and whatever may have been the rea-
sons for the settlement, 1t is a source of con-
pra tula tiOn that the trOuble ia over