Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-06-22


PITTSBURG, Pa. June 21.-The dis
charge of number of skilled workers
at the Homestead plant of the Car
negie Steel Company has brought out
the fact that the result of quiet work
of organizers has been discovered
Ever since the big strike of 1892, when
the Amalgamated Association was
compelled to relinquish control at the
steel works, efforts have been made to
bring the men into line again. AT first
the organizers received no encourage
ment and the mill continued to operate
on non-union basis. Some of the
lodges had returned their charters at
the close of the strike. but several
were retained. although the member
ship was small.
Finally the nucleus of an organiza-
ton was formed. IL was called the
True Blue Club. and the members
claimed it was merely social organ
ization. II was said, however, that
the Amalgamated Association obliga-
The active work of organizing the
old lodges was commenced few
months ago. All meetings were held
in secret and all knowledge OF the
work being done was kept unusually
quiet. A vigorous campaign was out
lined. Nothing was to be done until
the organization was perfected Then
the leaders proposed to wait until an
opportune time to request that the
Amalgamated Association be recognize
ed. A strike was to be avoided II pos
sible. The officials of the organization
had carefully laid their plans, and
seemed to be confident that the move
ment would be successful.
During the annual convention of the
Amalgamated Association at Detroit.
last month. several men were dis
charged from the Homestead plant.
President T. j. Shaffer was notified and
told that the men had been discharged
because OF their connection with the
organization. The matter was to have
been investigated, but the time OF the
officials was so occupied with confer
enees ON the wage scales that nothing
has been done. Yesterday Supt. w. K.
Coney, OF the Homestead works dis
charged number of wnrkmen. II
was supposed that they were dismissed
on account of their connection with the
movement to organize the mem Pres
ident I. j. Shaffer and Secretary John
Williams, OF the Amalgamated Asso-
citation, are in Chicago attending the
conference on the tin plate wage scale
ana 1t is not known what action will
be taken when they return to the CITY.
IL was learned that during the naaf
Few months fully 5000 men EMPLOYED
at the Carnegie plants at Homestead
and in Lawrenceville have Joined the
Anlalgamated Association. The de-
mand for recognition, according TO the
original plan, is to be made when labor
IS SO scarce that the places of the men
cannot be filed, and also at a time
when the demand for the product of
the plants Is greatest. Ii is believed
that If a concerted move is made the
Carnegie Steel Company will be forced
TO recognize the association or sus-
pend operations.
John Pierce, of the board Of trustees
of the Amalgamated Association. to-
day told reporter that he knew but
little of the organization of the Carne>
gle men. He knew that efforts were
being made TO bring them into the as
ISOLATION. but did not know how far
the work had progressed. Before any
action Is taken the advisory board will
be called together to discuss the situ-
alton. This board Is composed OF the
following officers: President. r. ].
SIaffer: Secretary John Williams
Assistant Secretary Stephen Madden,
and Trustees John Pierce, OF Pittsburg;
Benjamin l. Davis OF Cambridge. Ohio,
and Daniel Mullane, of Youngstown.
Ohio. After July 1. John II. Morgan,
Of Cambridge, Ohio. will be a member
OF the board, taking the place Of Trus-
tee Davis. who will be installed as as
sistant president and also member Of
the advisory board.
The members Of the association who
are in charge Of the national headquar-
tiers during the absence of the presi-
dent and secretary, were reluctant 20
talk on the subject. One Of them said.
You can say that our end is In excel
lent shape"
At the Offices Of the Carnegie Steel
Company a reporter was informed that
the company had nothing TO say on the