Evening star., 1901-04-17
STRIKERS ARE QUIET
Men at McKeesport Awaiting Order
for General Strike.
ADVISORY BOARD IN SESSION
President Shaffer Calls on Com
pers for Assistance.
TELEGRAMS OF APPROVAL

PITTSBCRG, April 17.-Quiet prevails
this morning about the w. Devices Wood
plant of the American Sheet Steel Company
at McKeesport. There was absence of
idle men lettering on the streets, and 1t
evident that the strikers had retired
to their homes to await the decision of the
national advisory board in session here
today as to the advsability of calling out
the employees of the other mills controlled
by the American Sheet Steel Company to
aid them in their fight
The strikers had an exciting night. 1t
was reported that the company would make
attempt TO bring outside to Nc
Keesport, and that a score or more men
were on barges across the river awaiting
an opportunity to be smuggled into the
works. Patrols were thrown out and every
avenue Of approach guarded, but the
port was evidently without foundation,
the expected move did not develop. The
hammer house was the only department
in operation. and unless the sheet mills
resume work soon the men in this depart
ment will have no material to work on
after Friday of this week. During the
night Manager Cooper posted an order noti-
flying all employees i'm the run out force,
bar mill and sheet mill, to report for work
on Thursday, April is. at am, or con-
slider themselves discharged. They were
requested. in the latter case, to call at the
office and get their money.
Fence Around One MIL
A high board fence has been built around
the No. mill. and it is reported that an
attempt Will soon be made to start it. The
plant has sixteen mills.
The members of the national advisory
board and vice presidents of the Amalga-
mated Association who had been called
together by President Shaffer to consider
measures in connection with the strike,
Were slow in assembling. Previous TO the
meeting Mr.. Shaffer said he would ask for
power TO call out at his discretion the en-
plOyes of the American Sheet Steel Com
pany, and then, if he deems it necessary,
as = last resort. TO extend the strike order
to all the plants of the United States steel
corporation He did not hesitate to declare
his intention of carrying out his preroga-
tive Of calling out the employees of the
great combine if the resolution was passed
by the board. Said he: II couldn't yield
the point demanded of me at McKeesport
and 1 would rather die fighting than lie
down. The issue has been drawn; there
can be no backing down now.
We have received kilograms from our
members in different sections of the
try, indOrsing the stand we have taken
and saying they will stand by us if it
comes to a general strike"
Asks Aid of Gompers.
President Shaffer also wired President
Samuel GOmpers of the American Fedora
tiOn of Labor. explaining the situation at
length, and asking for any assistance the
federation could give if the conflict came
Fifty thousand men is considered by labor
authorities to be a fair estimate of the
membership of the Amalgamated Associa-
tion. The association is, according to the
statement of Secretary John Williams, in
a more prosperous condition financially
than ever in its history. OF the total
membership. 1900 are employed by the
Republic Iron and Steel Company which
ia not a member of the Morgan combna-
tion, and by the independent mills plants
here and elsewhere.
OF the American Sheet Steel Company's
plants, 81 per cent of the total capacity is
in organized mills. The company operates
eighteen large plants and a number of
small ones. some six of the thirty plants
owned by the combine being shut down and
partially dismantled. Twelve of the plants
are union mills. The most important of
the non-union plants are the Vandergift,
Pa. works. the Apollo. Pa, works and the
mills at Wellsville, Ohio. and Leechburg,
Pa
Meeting of Advisory Board.
The meeting of the national advisory
board and vice presidents of the Amalga-
mated Association of Iron and Steel Work
ers. called for 10 o'clock this morning by
President ShaTer did not begin until near
Iy IL o'clock. There was full attendance
Of the national officers and trustees who
make up the board, and among the vice
presidents present were David Rees of
PIttsburg, first district; Walter Larkin of
Martins Ferry, Ohio, second district;
Charles H. Davis of Newport XIV third
district, and Glenn Jarvis of Anderson, Ind.
fifth district.
The meeting was held at the national
headGuarters, on 4th avenue, in this city
ana while a large number of prominent
aniaIgamated men and several leaders of
lhe strike were at the Headquarters no
one was admitted to the meeting room but
ihe members Of the board and the vice
presidents Previous to the meeting a cam
SSs OF Ihe members developed strong in
GiNlIuaI disposition to grant President
Shatfer the power 70 call out the EMPLOYEES
OF the other mills, although no one wouId
venture 10 predict what the decision of III,
board would be.
'ompany's Position Explained
General Manager Smith and Secretary
John Jarrett of the American Sheet Steel
Company Were invited to be present bn+
. Mr. smith did not attend. Secretary lar
rett was on hand and consumed some time
in placing before the members of the
Amalgamated Association the position his
company has taken in the fight now on
PRESIDENT Shaffer stated that he would
If possible go TO sMcKeesport after the
meeting TO advise the men now on a strike
ana counsel them TO be mild in their acts
NO action had been taken by the board I'D
10 iZ13D pm 1t was stated that they were
sWaltlng on one of the vice presidents who
had not arrived, but was expected during
the afternoon. 1t was the general i'm
piesSlon that strike would be ordered
'tit heCiSIOH NOulu not be reached
Gh'h late this afternoon This seems as
suIed unless concessions are made on both
sidSs. ~ WIN
The combine. IT is said will be asked to
Nacate the position 1t has taken in the
matter. or else the strike will be declared
around the Amalgamted Headquarters a
general air of expectancy prevailed Men
OF all crafts were dropping in at all times
and eagerly inquiring as what the pros
poets for strike Were. They seem to
realize that once the struggle is precipi-
tated its effects must of necessity be far
reaching, concerning them all.