The age-herald., 1901-08-05

Milwaukee. Wis, August 4.-"1f Presi- dent Shaffer carries out his published in- tention of ordering a general strike, It will mean the absolute annihilation of the Amalgamated Association and second Homestead affair." said Superintendent George L.. Refs of the Illinois Steel Com pany tonight
 "As to whether or not strike will De ordered in our mills cannot say,' MT. Refs continued '1The men who are em- ployed by the Illinois Steel Company are working under a contract and an agree r&.-,-.-s-.-s-s-s-s-s-s-s- contest will be the greates. industrial battle the world has ever known. l am thoroughly convinced that we will win the victory"
 No Explanation Offered.
 RevertIng to the failure of the strike settlement MT Shaffer said:
 "No explanat ton was offered by the com pany for the refusal to grant any better terms or to consider the propositions or the Amalgamted Association In any form. They seemed to have made up their minds suddenly to give no consideration to the men and would not vary from this de- termination.
 ".Don't blame Mir. Morgan for all this said Mir Shaffer as he went on, MT. MOT gan knows absolutely nothing about the true condition of the mills except as he is told by others. He has their word and is guided by it entirely. I believe that MT. Morean ia a fair-minded man and is only acting on his judgment based on infor- nation of others whom he looks to- am aware that there Is hidden influence Tn the corporate body of the United States Steel Corporation that has been working against us What mean Is that it is hidden to the public but not to us. We are fully aware of the location of our enemies We went to New York wanting peace, we did everything that we knew how to do to bring about peace honora- bly. In every effort we failed. We can do no more than fight for our existence until either the trust asks for another conference or we are extirpated-
 President shaffer said that he had given up all hope of a peaceful settlement or this trouble and looked for no further at tempts to bring about a renewal of con- ferences.
 Reese's Explanation.
 ..As anxious as the members of the executive board of the Amalgamated As sociation were to settle the present steel workers strike. their refusal to accept the terms of Mir. Morgan was the only al- ternative left them at the last moment. From the associa tion side to have agreed to the proposition would have meant the desertion of the thousands of workmen who were employed in them and who or- ganized and came out on strike since trouble began. To have deserted these men now would have been The death blow of the organization and 1t would have died in dishonor. To fight the tr1st in an honorable battle with a good chance to win, means at least chance for life. but if beaten a demise of he Amalgamated Association with honor"
 This was the explanation of Vice Presi- dent David Reese of the Amalgamatei: Association. who returned from New York today. after attending the confer enoe there with the officials of the Cnited States Steel Corporation. He added
 ''The Amalgamated Association has or ganized and gotten all the men in the hoop combine with the exception of one rniiI. These men have shown their desire to join