New-York tribune., 1901-07-31
PEACE PROPOSALS NOT RATIFIED.
HITCH OVER OPENING ALL MILLS TO NON
UNION MEN AND RETENTION OF
STRIKE BREAKERS"

Pittsburg July 30-Disappointment and ap-
prehension pervade the air of Pttsburg tonight
because Of the failure of the executive board
of the Amalgamated Association of Iron. Steel
and Tin Workers to ratify the peace proposals
arranged at the conference in New-York last
Saturday between the national officers of the
Amalgamated Association and Messrs. Morgan
Schwab and Gary, representing the United
States Steel Corporation.
When the conference opened this MOI ling II
was confidently expected that an agreement
would be reached in a short time, but after
session lasting from $50 a. m. until $50 p.
the meeting adjourned without arriving at any
conclusion so far known. TO meet again to-
morrow morning.
The protracted session indicates that the board
is not satisfied with the provisions Of the COM
promise measures. and unless some modif1ca-
tions are made its ratification is doubtful The
opening Of union mills to non-union workmen
IS the point on which II is believed the board
hesitates TO accept, and the long distance tee-
phone between New-York and Pittsburg was
worked frequently to-day 10 get modification
OF this clause.
The vorkmen hold that this would give the
mill oNners fun opportunity Of crushing the
union without a strike. by finding excuses 10
discharge union men and then fill their places
with non-unionists.
RETENTION OF STRIKE BREAKERS.
Another bone Of contention is said to be the
retention in their present places Of the men VINO
worked as strike breakers" at the various
mills during the strike. 1t is said that these
men have been promised the protection Of the
manufacturers in case Of a settlement. and that
they will not concede their dismissal at the re-
quest of the organization. The workers, y is
said aTe willing to declare the mills now work
ing non-snion opon millsg~but strenuously OBJECT
10 having all the mills of the combination class-
fe6 as open mills.
All is. however conjecture, as it Is imposslole
20 get any definite statement from any OF the
parties interested concerning the days CONFER
ence. When the board dispersed at 6:3O o'clock
every member was seen by newspaper men, seek
ing information but every question was an
swered by the stereotyped phrase. we can say
nothing There is absolutely nothing to give 10
the public this time"
II is doubtful If the members Of the geheral
executive board Of the Amalgamated Assocl-
alton ever were more uncommunicatiVe and re-
served than during and after the meeting "hlch
occurred to-day. The Importance Of the matter
in hand the fate Of the strike and the welfare
Of thousands Of members of the organization
now idle rested upon their decision.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCE.
The full hoard was present, with the exception
Gf
on official business. The members gathered at
,be general Offices Of the Amalgamated Associ-
alton early in the morning. and at $50 o'clock
were CARED TO order by President Shaffer. Those
present in addition 10 the officials OF the ooaro
were Joseph Bishop, former president OF the
association. and now a member OF the Ohlo
BOARD of Arbitration. and N. NJ Garland also
an ex-president Of the organization. When the
meeting was opened all save conferrees were
r-t,, e
after President shaner had gone over the de-
tails Of the conference he had with Mr.. Morgan
90 president schwab in New-York.
secretary Williams read the report of the con-
ference which he had prepared. and also the
rropositions that had been made by the oihclais
.. the United States Steel Corporation Inc
members of the board listened with close atteh-
zion 70 all that was said, and the discussion that
followed was carried on in low tones. This ois
c,ss,on continued until after noon hour ana
then the meeting was adjourned until l'oo
o'clock.
A. the afternoon session the members were
,,ror,nt in getting together. but 1t was an hour
- t1.r+v minutes after the time set for the
resumption before the members OF the poalo a
were called TO order. In the mean .liiie kad re-
eaneers were sent from the ofces ana nao ie
-ur1e6 The telephone was used consloelapiE,
and N was stated that portion OF TINS time WAS
.enent in working the New-fork WIRE
OFFICIALS DECLINE TO TALK
rres,dent shaffer and Secretary Williams de-
,I,nea 70 talk at all. Assistant Secretary Ilghe
was bannv and cheerful. but said that he kne"
nothing Of interest TO the public. NJ. NJ. Gar
land. who was present at the first session OF the
hoard 6id no, return in the afternoon, but as
he left The offices Of the organization he seemed
IN he satisfied with the discussion that he had
heard there While Mr.. Garland has all along
r,ain.sined that he had taken active part in
,ba negotiations for a settlement Of the strike.
he &c believed 10 know much more about the pre-
1,roinarv movements that resulted in this con-
ference than he wished understood Mr.. Gar
land declined to give any IDEA OF the pfopapie
result of the conference
Under these conditions the results of the meet
ing became a matter Of pure conjecture In course
of the afternoon. At 2:4O o'clock the meeuhg
of the board for the afternoon began. All were
nresent who had taken part during the carrier
session with the exception OF Mr.. Garland Soon
after the session began, a significant incident
took place. c. W. Bray. chief engineer OF the
American Tin Plate Company and one OF the
former conferees for the manufacturers, went 10
the offices President Shaffer was called from
the room and held a five minute conversation
with him IN the hail. and then returned 10 the
meeting while Mr.. Bray left the building. The
conference between these two men was appar-
ertly of a friendly character and indicated that
there at least no strained feeling there
PROTRAcTED DISCUSSION.
Close watch was kept for results of the meet
ing Twice President Shafer came TO the hall
and attacked an ice water tank. and then said
that he could not give any statement, even as
10 how long the conference would last. when
such proposition this is before u.s." he said.
.t is likely TO be discussed and discussed again.
,scxEr 10 long ffraa hafn