Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-08
NOT WITHOUT FRUIT.
Manufacturers and the Amalgamated
Slowly Coming Together.
ANOTHER CONFERENCE TODAY.
Iron Men Want a Slight Cut in the Wages
of Heaters and Rollers
LABOR LEADERS MUCH ENCOURAGED.

The iron manufacturers and the Scale
Committee of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton held another conference yesterday.
No conclusion was reached, but the way is
being rapidly paved to a satisfactory settle
ment for both sides in the near future.
While the men at Homestead were en-
gagged in the sad duty of burying their dead
yesterday afternoon, Messrs Weihe, Shee-
han and their co-laborsrs in the Association
were busy arguing with the iron masters in
support of the scale of wages. At times
the discussion was loud and animated, but
both sides listened patiently and dispassion-
ately. The best of feeling prevailed, and at
6o'clock they adjourned for another con-
terence this afternoon.
Among the manufacturers present were
Messrs McCutcheon, who acted as Secre-
tary;- Bailey, Jones and E NJ. Byers
Both Sides Go Into Caucus.
At stages the manufacturers would ad-
iourn to corner of the room to talk among
themselves and then the Scale Committee
would take its turn at the same busi-
ness The fact that the manufacturers
are willing to confer from day to day is
taken as good sign by the workmen. They
are pleased that not all iron men are pat
termed after Mr.. Frick. Harry Hooking,
Vice President of the Wheeling district,
was present He remarked that the Wheel
ing people wanted to see Mr.. Weihe about
one point before they went into
conference He declined to say,
however, what was the bone of contention.
The Amalgamated officials are very close
mouthed, and they refuse to say anything,
for fear it will hurt their cause.
As nearly as could be learned the manu-
facturers demand a slight reduction in
wages to cheaper the cost of iron. Pig
iron has declined to such an extent that
they claim there is no profit in the busi-
ness.
Cutting the Heaters and Rollers.
Some of the manufacturers suggested that
q slight cut be made in the heaters and roll
lers. They thought they could stand a re-
duction better than the puddlers, who
have reached roc6-bottom. One mauufac-
turer stated that the committee admitted
the force OF the above argument, but it was
feared that the heaters and rollers would
not submit, and it would cause contention
within the Association. , Some of the iron
masters are led to believe that this PROPOSE
tion will be finally accepted.
In discussing the scale the Amalgamated
people will not hear of reductions in any
quarter. Secretary Madden said last even
ing that the information was wrong He
stated that the Association knows no pud-
dlers, fnishers, rollers or beaters and it
wasn't right to talk of discrimination. The
members are all workmen, and one class is
not to be reduced at the expense of an
other. Mr.. Madden was in very hopeful
frame of mind, and he said the situation is
encouraging. "It is early yet, he added
"only july z, and yet IS mills
have already accepted the scale. Of these
81 make sheet iron and the other p are
general mills. A number of these works
employ puddlers, but not on an extensive
scale.
Holding Back to Make Repairs.
''Many of the mills are being repaired, ,and
ven if they had signed the scale they
ouldn't be in shape to operate. think
the middle of August all the
1ufactHrers will be in line, and
tbs IS time enough. 1t will give the men
the rest they need during, the hot weather
No mills have signed ihe, s3aIe to-day in
other places, but 1 expect some signatures
tomorrow.
A roller who was listening to the talk
took exception to the reduction of his
wages He said if mar rolled iron for
], 900 years he wouldn't know it ALL 1t is
a responsible position and requires great
skill Rollers can't be made in day, and
they begin at the bottom OF the ladder and
work up He had been a slave in a mill
from boyhood until be was nearly 40 years
old. He was fitting himself constantly to
become a roller, and if, after he is promoted,
his wages are to be cut down, then he
thought it was time to give up and quit.
1t is discouraging if men are not rewarded
for pushing ahead and fitting themselves for
the best places in the mills. He ventured
the assertion that the Sharpsburg mill had
lost heavily last year by experimenting
with non-union men. Secretary Madden
coincided with the statement