Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-02

classes OF Wheeling been so generally
interested in any local affair affecting
trades unionism as they manifested in
the strike of the street car workers
which happily came to an end at 4
o'clock Friday morning. June Both.
The boycott upon the c0mpany's lines
began at midnight on April Sth, and
for almost twelve weeks the COM
munity was agitated by the events and
conditions which appear inseperable
from such disturbances in the realm
of labor. One of the remarkable fea-
lures of the strike was the remark
able unanimity of public sympathy in
behalf of the men and the steadfast-
ness with which the requirements OF
the boycott were observed
BY the terms of the agreement the
employees get an eleven hour day, Is
cents an hour, and promise of arbi-.
tration in future disputes. The new
men were retained by the company,
the service being so expanded as to
give employment to all the old en-
ployes as well as the new ones.
If the strike has impressed one les
son stronger than another upon the
public mind tits this: That West Vir-
ginia should fall in line with other
States of the Union and provide for
board of arbitration, which shall have
authority to determine what is fair in
such controversies if ii has not the'
power to enforce it's verdict. A tri-
bunal of this sort would have been of
the utmost utility in settling such
dispute as Wheeling has just wit
messed, and an evidence of this is the
service of the disinterested mediators
who finally drew the opposing parties
together and brought about the de-
sired end. Even if such board is not
clothed with authority to enforce its
findings, its verdict would be a guide
to the public which would bestow its
sympathy or withhold it according to
the merits of the claimants.
The failure of the manufacturers
and Amalgamated Association to agree
upon a tin plate scale has had the eff
feet of shutting down all the tin plants
in this vicinity indefinitely. 1t is to
be hoped the suspension will not last
long. but at best there cannot be re-
sumption of work inside of two weeks.
This means an idleness of $4,000 work
men during a like period at a wage
loss approximating $1,000,000. If the
suspension should be prolonged the
loss to the working class would be
enormous. 1T is believed, however, the
differences between the two commit
tees will be adjusted with all possible
speed, but this is a matter that de-
ponds much upon the employees them
selves. The latter have demanded
20 per cent. advance and the manufac-
turers have agreed to an increase OF
but II per cent, making difference
which can only be surmounted by mu-
tual concession. The committee OF
the Amalgamation had no authority
at the Chicago conference to modify
its position, and the matter has to be
referred to the individual lodges for
consideration. 1t is this which VIII
require time, and local lodges will
hardly be able to act upon the matter
before the close of the current week.
The industries in Wheeling and vi
entity which are affected by this con-
dition and which will be closed until
the matter is settled are the Aetna
Standard at Bridgeport, mills; the
LaBelle, of Wheeling, 10 mills; the
Laughlin, at Martins cry, IA mills.
Should the suspension be of sufficient
duration to require a stoppage of the
tin houses 1000 wage earners at these
three concerns will be affected.
Every loyal American citizen loves
to have his freedom upon the Glorious
Fourth of July. The day was born in
the greatest burst of liberty loving
xxr;f
messed, and there is something in the
recurrence of the occasion that re-
news our patriotism aud suggests to
us the inheritance of our priceless
patrimony. In keeping with this spirit,
the industries of. this section will al
most universally be closed down upon
Tuesday to allow employees a holiday
and a rest from the hum-drum of toll.
Some of the big manufacturing plants
closed on Saturday, to work no more
until Wednesday, while others that
are pushed for orders will only take
one day off-Tuesday. Some of the
plants have taken the opportunity to
make needed repairs to machinery, and
will be idle the entire week.
The work of excavating for a new
bi-product coke plant was begun at the
south end of the Riverside mill grounds
Tuesday morning by a force of twenty
men, AS has been stated, the new
structure is to be similar to the present
plant in nearly every respect. 1t will
occupy the vacant ground between the
old works and the new coal storage en-
closure and will contain sixty ovens.
The eXcavating force was increased on
Wednesday, and the work will be rap
idly pushed forward. 1t is said that it
will be erected and also managed for
certain length of time by the Savoy
Company, of New York, in accordance
with a contract between the latter COM
pany and the Riverside company.
The National Ename Works at Bel
| laire will be off Tuesday, but will re-
sumo again Wednesday for what looks
like a continuous run throughout the
summer The new buildings will be
under construction the coming week or
as early as the work OF clearing the
ground can be completed.
Considerable progress is being made
by the workmen on the Riverside coal
enclosure. The crusher has been set
up and the engine for the elevator has
bppn COTTON into DociTi0D Tharo a 70