The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-05

not been overlooking that detail. They
make the best kind OF union men. The 800
colored men brought from the South 10
assist In starting the plant of the Latrobe
Steel Company in Chicago were all mem
bers Of the union. When they discovered
what was wanted of them they returned to
their homes"
Reverting to the failure of the strike set
tlement, Mr.. Shaffer said: NO expiana-
tion was offered by the company for their
refusal TO grant any better terms or 10 con-
slider the proposition OF the Amalgamated
Association in any form. They seemed 10
have made up their minds suddenly TO give
no consideration 10 the men and would not
vary from this determination.
Don't blame Mr. Morgan for all this,
said Mr.. shafer he went on 'Mr- Nor
gan knows absolutely nothing about the
true conditions of the mills. except as he
is told by others. He has their word and is
guided by Il entirely. | believe that Mr.
Morgan is a fair-minded man and is only
acting on his judgment based on informa-
ton of others whom he looks TO. ] am
aware that there is a hidden influence in
the corporate body of the United States
Steel Corporation that has been working
against us What / mean is that it is hid
den TO the public but not TO us. We are
fully aware of our enemies. We went to
New York wanting peace. We did every
thing that kEew how to do to bring
about peace honorably. 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."
PLANS WELL IN HAND.
Throughout the interview President
Shaffer indicated that the officials of the
Amalgamated Association had their plans
for this struggle well in hand and had made
arrangements for the battle on complete
and systematic ideas. He declined TO say
anything about the action of the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor in assisting the
Amalgamated Association in this struggle
or to tell anything about what support the
organization will receive from other
sources. The policy Of the organization, he
said, would be 10 move quietly and care
fully, they realized that they had diff
cult task before them and nothing would
be gained by rashness. The various vice
presidents Of the organization after the
meeting in New York scattered to their re-
spective homes. There they will assume
direct charge Of the members in their dis
tricts. The only members of the official
VI the lcll
will be the national officers. and President
Shaffer will act with full power in directing
affairs from the general offices. President
Shaffer said that he had given up all hope
Of peaceful settlement of this trouble and
| looked for no further attempts to bring
| about a renewal of conferences.
| Secretary Williams was not disposed to
| discuss the situation at such great length
| as his chief He did have this to say: "Al
| possibility of settlement of this difficulty
| appears TO be at end. We carefully con-
| sidered the proposition of the trust. It
| was decided that the terms were such that
| we could not accept. To accept would have
| meant practically the disruption of our
| organizat ton. We could not have agreed
and returned to face the men we repre-
| scnted. 1t is now case of fight / think
| the contest will be the greatest industrial
| battle the world has even known. l am
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2. COL. A.