Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-12


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The local lodge of the Amalgamated
Association. covering the Riverside
mill territory. met yesterday afternoon
at Mozart hall. corner Thirty-eigbth
and Jacob streets. South Wheeling.
The hall was crowded with earnest.
thoughtful mill workers, all OF whom
seem intent only on reaching the best
possible solutions Of questions before
them for discussion.
All were sober. quiet and attentive to
the remarks made by the different
speakers, who, when they made some
particularly happy hit in the progress
OF their talks, were heartily applauded.
There was no incendiary language
used by the men or the speakers, as
will be seen by reference to the very
full and accurate report Of the speeches
given below.
The representative Of the Register
was cordially welcomed by many OF the
men and by the officials present, the
latter expressing their appreciation OF
the fairness of the reports given, In the
papers columns. and the accuracy OF It's
news statements on strike matters.
The reporter was kindly furnished
with a seat and table on the platform
near the speakers, no restraints what
ever being placed o him IN taking
notes of the meeting. All we ask, said
Vice President Larkins, who was pres
ent, is a fair and unbiased report as is
usual with the Register.
President Henry Whatman, OF the
local lodge. called the men TO order,
hats we're quickly removed, all seated
themselves who could, the others
standing about the borders OF the hall.
President Whitman said they all
knew what the meeting was for--to
complete the organiyation--hence there
was no need Of repeating. Blanks had
been circulated for applicants which
could be filed out by those desiring to
joint any were present who were not
already members.
Three members were called TO the
platform, and Vice President Larkins,
of the Association, was asked to pre-
side, and acceeded to the request.
David e. Jones, a local mill worker.
was introduced to the audience and
said: "Mr. Chairman and Brothers.
expected to say nothing, but in & time
like this 1t is a poor man who cannot
say what Is the closest TO his heart.
We are here to determine our future;
to disclose whether we, with the
Of men known as the ANAL
gamated Association, shall stand for the
elevation Of mankind. 1t Is agitation
that develops movements for the better
ment of men; 1t Is agitation that has
brought you here.
1.-The object of this meeting is to ed
ucate you, to educate ourselves. ] do
not believe any man here can say In
his heart he ought not to belong to the
organization. Time has shown what
organization can do for men. We know
what these struggles have been, but we
are to-day facing a conflict such as has
never been faced before. We intend
to live. and to do it we must strive az
never have men before.
THE battle Of labor is not a contest
OF days but a struggle of years. II we
should fail-but we will not-then the
principle will be taken up by others
and the battle be fought over again.
II believe we are men enough to do
and to dare-nay even to die. II need
should be, for the elevation Of man
kind. / mean the elevation mentally
and morally OF our children, our sue
cessors, who must take up the work
where we leave 1t. of.
Let US be men. Let US do Jul duty;
and then, when worn out, we can pass
the good work on to u successors.
Let us be brethren in love and In SYM
pathy. Let us protect our wives, our
our children. Some men say
protect them by keeping at work; but
I say we cannot afford to forego Z
principle, the great principle involved
In this struggle.
To-day an explanation is unneces-
sary. You all know what we are here
for. 1 congratulate you upon your
growth, upon your admission to the
A~malgamated Association"
The speaker paid fne tribute to
President Shaffer, to Mrs. Shaner. and
to Vice President Larkins. He also re-
ferred to Mrs. Shaffer's statement as to
President Shaner seeking Divine mi
sci daily, and said that was the power
behind the movement-Infnite Jus
tace. Concluding he said: III anyone
here Is hesitating. though believe
there are any such. let him decide to
come out Sor right. and Justice"
Rogers Jones. . brother Of the last
speaker. was called upon By vice Presi-