Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-17
MORE MONEY NEEDED.
Lack of Funds Threatens to Kill the
Homestead Struggle.
NO READY CASH NOW IN SIGHT.
The Mechanics and Laborers Want to Meet
BY Themselves.
STRIKE MAY BE DECLARED OFF TO-DAY

Events at Homestead have so changed
within the past few days that a crisis in the
strike is now thought to have been reached.
1t is no longer question of getting work
from the company at the terms asked, but
as to how much longer the leaders can keep
the men in line. There are already signs of
weakening on the part of the men. The un-
easiness and apparent lack of confidence
manifested yesterday by the rank and file
as they stood around in groups discussing
the situation and waiting for something to
turn up that would bring the long-drawn-
out contest to close evidenced that the
end is near.
A mass meeting of all the strikers was
held in the rink yesterday afternoon. For
hours before the meeting was called to
order the scene in the neighborhood was
one of unusual activity. Dame rumor had
it that the strike was to be declared of, and
no one was ready to enter a protest. Each
one seemed to consider it as a foregone con-
clusion that if such move was not made
then it would have to be sooner or later,
unless the unexpected should happen.
They had been living on hope
for SO long that this had we'll
nigh forsaken them. Anything that
lent the least ray of hope was eagerly
taken up and discussed, but the subjects for
discussion were painfully lacking yesterday
and no one had much to say on the general
outlook. The boastful spirit that has been
so characteristic throughout this strike was
lacking. They seemed to realize more fully
than ever before that it was not theory,
but the cold fact of getting to eat that had
to be met. and that in the most graceful way
possible under the circumstances.
Guards Put at the Door.
The rink was early crowded, but the ma
tionaI officers of the Amalgamated Associa-
tion were late in getting on the ground.
Their arrival was greeted with vociferous
cheers. The reporters that had gained ad-
mission had to retire, and the men went
into secret session, Four guards were
placed at the door, and no one allowed to
60 In or out without challenge. After a
short conference the mechanics, laborers
and all strikers not members OF the Anal
amated Association were sent out and the
meeting continued until late in the even
ing.
The declaring off or continuing of the
strike is entirely in the hands of the Anal
gam ated Association. As this was the first
joint conference of all the lodges of this
order in the rink under like circumstance
it gave rise to the common rumor that the
struggle would be declared off According
to the constitution each member in the
association is allowed from. S4 to Sc week
in benefits. Last week the allowance was
ant IN ha
was repor ted to be about exhausted. The
contributions from labor unions throughout
the county had failed to materialize
and the members are said to have been
plainly told that little assurance of future
support could be given. The afternoon
was spent in a general discussion as to the
outlook. The meeting adjourned to meet
again at o'clock to-day, when the subject
will be taken up and some decision will
likely be reached, as the men had certain
questions propounded for them to think
intelligently upon them.
Forty-Eight, Hours VIII Make Change.
A number of the officers of the order
were seen during the evening, but they had
nothing to say. They gave the information
that the next 4S hours would see some i'm
portant changes in the strikes at the various
Weihe, when spoken to, said: 'There was
nothing particularly done at the meeting.
The situation was generally discussed and
sized up. Each and every member who so
desired had the privilege of expressing his
opinions without restriction. The dfspo-
sition of this strike Is entirely in the hands
of the men, and we wanted to know just
how they fell"
"What was the general tenor of their re-
marks" was asked.
81 do not want to say" he answered, and
refused to talk more on the subject.
From o reliable source it was learned last
evening tha: there has been growing feel
ing among the mechanics and laborers to re-
turn to work. During the past week this
feeling has gained such headwsy as to alarm
the Amalgamated leaders, so a meeting
was called. 1t is we'll known that these
men are debarred from membership in
the Amalgamated Association, and onlv
struck through sympathy. All during the
struggle they have had the worst of the
fight, not being permitted to enjoy any
benefits, and had to get along as best they
could. The Amalgamated Associations
members have done all they could to assist
them, but this support has been very mea-
ger. Several times they have seemed to be
on the point of breaking away, but have
been induced to stand firm, SO that thev
have been among the most loyal all through |
the fight. One of the mechanics, voicing
the sentiment of his fellows, said last night:
The Factions at War.
"What would like to see and have been
urging is that the mechanics and laborers i
hold a meeting by themselves. The Anal |
gamated Association has been running this |
strike, yet it does not include the larger |
number of men interested in the struggle. |
1t meets by itself, why not we? |
Simply because there is no leader Could |
we only get together I think we could soon |
decide what to do 1 am getting tired of |
this delay and the way things are going,
and know of many who feel the same way.
We have no say in the matter, yet we have
been the backbone of the strike from its be-
ginning"
1t is stated on good authority that w. |
7. Roberts said he thought the strike was
lost and should be declared of, especially |
as far as the mechanics and laborers were
The return of David Lynch and Harry
Bayne from Chicago yesterday was much |
discussed They brought assurances of fur
ther contributions from the labor unions of |
that city. William Ray, President of the
Union, accompanied them here
to investigate the conditions existing at
Homestead. He expressed himself as we'll |
satisfied with the condition of affairs, and |
gave assurance of abundant support. He
gave 81, 900 as bonus from his union, with
the promise of more to come. This report 4
gave the strikers new encouragement
MessrA Argo and Irwin, the ATTORNEYS
who will defend the strikers in the coming
,rials, went to Homestead yesterday to
,tudy the place and learn its topography