The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-09-24
FIRES BUILT
in THE IDLE
STEEL MILLS.
Wage Scale Signed by Manufacture
ers and Conference Committee Of
the Iron and Steel Workers.
EMPLOYMENT TO 10000 MEN.
Both Sides Feel B Relieved-Reasons for
the Delay in Arranging the Scale
Was q Slump In the Market.

~ . s y . 4 ID
CINCINNATI, O., Sept 23.-The con-
ference committees Of the Amalgama-
ted Association OF Iron and Steel
Workers and of the manufacturers at
6:3O o'clock this morning signed the
wage scale that will be effective until
July l, 1901.
It is what is known as the yearly
scale, which takes effect usually in
July. Owing to the unusual fluctua-
tions Of the market, the new scale had
not been signed when the mills shut
down June 30, and the conditions have
been unfavorable ever since June, SO
that the mills have been idle for almost
three months. As soon as the scale was
signed this morning. messages were
sent in every direction before the con-
ferees breakfasted. ordering the fires
built at once. Some mills will start to-
morrow morning and nil others as soon
as possible. This decision means en-
ployment tomorrow to over 60,000
workingmen, who have been idle since
June. In endeavorlng to arrive ut this
agreement. the wage conference COM
mittee Of the Amalgamated Association
of Iron and Steel Workers has had five
different conferences with the manu-
facturers. meeting at New York, De-
troit, indianapolis and Youngstown. as
well as here. They have been in con-
ference here since Wednesday and de-
termined last night to sit until they
got togther or agreed to disagree.
Both Sides Relieved.
While neither side got what 1t want
ed, yet both sides felt relieved when the
scale was signed. after an all night ses-
sion, and most of the conferees left
without sleep, so as to be at the mills
Monday morning. President Schaefer,
Secretary Williams and others remain
ed to arrange some details with Com
missioner Mutt. and they retired about
s o'clock this morning. but the others
did their sleeping on trains en- route to
their homes.
The reasons for, the delay in ADJUST
ing the wage scale as well us for the
frequent prolonged conferences, are
found III the slump In the market and
the fluctuations during the past year
from the highest. to the lowest prices.
The workers wanted IS per ton, based
on n one and four-tenths card rate.
Tho manufacturers offered 81 80 pc.
ton on one-cent card rate for boiling,
and the differences were in about the
same proportion In other lines.
President Schaefer and Commission
er Mutt Jointly gave out the following
official statement to-day:
Rates for Boiling.
The rate for boiling is 81 Is per ton,
based upon n one-cent card rate, with
the same basis running up to one and
two-tenths for the card rate, or 81 20.
But the price for boiling for Septem-
ber and October shall be SIS per ton,
based on q card rate Of one and four
tenths cents.
MUCK rolllnB snail DC One-Seventh OF
the price paid for boiling.
Bushelng on sand bottom shall be
81 90 on n one-cent card rate. with the
same base running up to one and two
tenths card rate.
The following scale was fixed for the
finishing mills:
On bar mills the price to be paid is
the same as last year, with card rate
of one and four-tcnths cents graded
down to n one-cent card.
On guide ten Inch and hoop mills),
the base and rates apply as they, do on
the bar and the twelve-inch mills.
Among the mills ordered started are
those OF the American Steel Hoop Com
pnny, ut Girard. Youngstown, Warren,
Pomeroy and Greenvillc. and of the Re-
public Iron and Steel Company, at
Youngstown. Ironton. Terre Haute,
Birmingham, Muncic. Franklin, Marion,
Moline. New Albany. Minneapolis, Cow
inGton, KY. Brazil. Ind, Sprlntleld,
Ills, and Alexandria, Ind.
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