Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-18

The Belmont Central Trades and
Labor Union convened promptly at 2:30
O'Clock in the G.. A. r. hall in Bell
aire, yesterday afternoon. In the alb
sence of President John H. Campbell,
the Vice PRESIDENT, Mr kunkle, pre-
sided at the meeting. The Vice Pres
ident's chair was occupied by Mr. E L.
Alum and the Secretary's chair by Mr..
Gilcher. The minutes of the previous
meeting were read ana adopted and the
following business transacted:
Secretary Lewis, OF the OHIO miners,
stated tnat the three delegates from
ST. ClalIsville Junction were present
out not knowing the rules OF the
Union, mad not prepared tnelr credeA-
tlaIs. In lieu of This they were allowed
to remain and were instructed to hand
| in their credentials at the next meeting.
Under the head OF strikes, Secretary
Lewis again took the floor and spoke
Of the employees at the Laughlin mill,
stating that they had signed the iron
clad scale and had returned to work.
Continuing, he brought up the attack
brought against labor during the past
week by the Bellaire Independent, and
also a similar attack in the Wheeling
1nte.lig6ncer through the correspond
ence OF the editor of the Independent.
He read a copy of Thursdays issue of
the Independent, in which the attack
ing article appeared. In part it portray
ed John H. Campbell, who is the can
didate for the Ohio Legislature on the
Democratic ticket, and President of the
Belmont Trades and Labor Union, as
the man who had influenced the en-
ployes of the Bellaire steel plant in their
strike, which was inaugurated last
Tuesday at noon. The article further
intimated that Mr.. Campbelrs reason
for so influencing the men was for the
purpose of arousing sympathy in his
behalf for the success of his campaign
as candidate for the Legislature on the
Democratic ticket 1t also charged Mr..
Campbell with having made speech
before the Belmont Trades and Labor
Union in which certain allegations
were made for the purpose of arousing
dissatisfaction among the steel plant
employees Mr.. Lewis concluded his re-
marks by saying that although he had
nothing could better influence him to
support the candidacy Of John H.
Campbell than the article of October
18th, as published in the Bellaire indie
pendent.
Mr. Carson was then called upon by
President Kunkle to give an outline Of
the difficulties in regard to the start
ing Of the new mill and what lead to
the present state Of affairs. Mr.. Car
son promptly responded. He spoke to
the effect that in the first place the man
agement of the steel plant did not fol-
low up the custom of former years,
when a resumption Of work took place,
as they did not send for the mill COM
mittee when they were about to start
their new plant. but they did send for
fourteen of the men and made the prop
ositiOn to them that they assume the
positions of foremen in the different de-
partments. After that was done to their
satisfaction, they entered into a confer
ence with the crane hands and succeed
ed in having them agree to take their
positions by the day, so when the mill
committee went to the office a notice
was found posted requiring the men to
apply to the superintendent for posi-
tions. The notice also stated the posi-
tons that were filled and those partly
filled. In this the company was the
first to depart from the custom of treat
ing with the Amalgamated Association.
AS the men saw they were not being
compensated the same under the new
scale as they had been under the old,
despite all the Improvements Of the ma
chinery. which was promised to be ca
pable of such an output as to make the
two scales equivalent. they naturally
became dissatisfied and decided to
strike for raise in the scale
Mr.. Lewis then moved that the Leg
islative Committee be withdrawn from
the hall in order to draw up suitable
resolutions in regard 10 the attack on
labor as published in the Bellaire hide
pendent. The motion was adopted and
the committee returned with the follow
ing resolutions. which were uunani-
mously adopted by the assembly:
Whereas, The Bellaire Independent.
in an article published in the issue Of
Thursday, October 14th. 1897. attempts
to villify and abuse John H. Campbell.
the president of the Belmont Central
Trades and Labor Union. by charging
him with making certain statements on
the floor of the Central Labor Union
and stirring up strife for political pre-
ferments.
Whereas. The members of the Bel
mont Central Trades and Labor Union
know that each and every one of the
charges in the Bellaire Independent Of
October 14th is untrue,
Resolved, That we, the Bellaire Cen
trail Trades and Labor Union. brand
those charges as unmitigated false
hoods and the editor of the Bellaire
Independent as a man devoid Of any
principle and antagonscic to every ef-
fort made by laboring men to advance
their wages and conditions.
Resolved. That we indorse the stand
taken by the employees Of the Bellaire
steel works in striking FOR living wages
and a share of profits of a protected in
dustry.
Resolved, That We appeal TO organ
lied labor for financial support to assist
the men on strike to win in their pres
ent struggle.
Resolved. That We indorse a COM
| mittee that TIE striking mill men may
select TO receive aid.
A second part was added to these
resolutions as follows:
Whereas. We the members Of t-e