Evening star., 1901-07-31
ALL UP IN THE AIR
No Understanding Reached Yet at
Pittsburg Conference.
STRICTESF SECRECY MAINTAINED
Younger Element Disposed to
Resist the Employers Offers.
MAY BE A LONG FIGHT

Of the Amalgamated Association of Iron,
Steel and Tin Workers upon the PROPOSE
tions of the United States Steel Corpora
tion officials for the settlement of the steel
strike is still undecided. While nothing
definite has been accomplished yet, tae
more sanguine element seems to be still
in the majority and better news is hoped
for today.
From what could be learned In spite OF
the secrecy maintained the older and moro
conservative members were willing to ac
cede to the propositions made to Them by
the other side, but the younger ones dis
played a spirit of greater Independence and
a reliance upon the power of the orgaEiza-
tion to force better terms than those sub
mtted to them
The meeting was continued this morning.
but when the newspaper men arrived at
headquarters they were refused admittance
to the building by order of the owner of the
Bissel block, In which the Amalgamatei
Association meets. This made 1t difficult
to obtain any definite information, and all
sorts of rumors became at once circulated.
President Shaffer Still in Pittsburg.
1t was stated the meeting would be held
elsewhere, that President Shaffer and Sec
retary Williams had left for New York
the board had gone to see Senator Hanna
at Cleveland, and that no meeting would
be held today or until the national officers
and absent members Of the board returned.
The report that Shaffer had slipped off
to New York was proven untrue, as he
was seen on the streets of this city during
the morning. One fact. however. is GER
tain, and that Is that at 10 o'clock only
two men could be seen in the rooms of the
81 ASS of
Vice President David Rees, who was vigor-
ously working the telephone. Shortly be-
fore IL o'clock number of the vice presi-
dents arrived, but AS far as could be learn
ed there was no meeting They sat around
talking and evidently were waiting the
coming of the national officers.
McKeespOrt Strikers Uneasy.
The McKeesport strikers were restless
all night, and there was more excitement
than at any time during the strike. Ru-
mors OF the company attempting to steal
q march on the W. Devices Wood men and
bring a trainload Of non-union men while
the peace conference was on, kept the
pickets and patrols on the alert, and the
evident readiness CT both the Wood and
Dennler plants to start at few min
utes' notice increased the feeling OF uneasi-
ness that was prevalent, but no attempt
was made at either plant TO resume. The
to secure men for Wellsville kept the
strikers on the anxious seat and 100 men
kept watch all night for him. The strikers
asserted that II found they would put him
on a car peaceably and have him leave
town. The strikers are not as hopeful Of
a settlement of the strike they were
yesterday.
Since the return last night of. the Nc
Keesport men who were In attendance at
the conference the feeling that long
strike Is certain has become general. and
those closest to the national officers of
the Amalgamated Association seem to have
least hopes of any settlement being made
at present.
Mr.. MOrgan's Proposed Terms.
1t is currently understood that the terms
asked by Mr.. Morgan are nothing like the
ones which were published as constituting
the agreement, and that they would neces-
state steps which would force matters to
about the same point they were before the
strike.
At Duquesne and Homestead last night
there were several small meetings and the
men were in communication with Amalga-
mated representatives. The feeling there
Is much like that among the National Tube
workers. but the Federation of Labor has
not nearly SO many members in those
towns. 1t Is said that a strong Amalga-
mated lodge is being organized at each
place and that similar movement is on
foot at Braddock.
The situation at Wellsville and in the
local plants closed down by the strike Is
unchanged There is no excitement, and
the strikers are quietly awaiting the result
or the executive board meeting.
Minor officials Pessimistic.
While the leading officers preserve silence
on the probable result of the conference
among the minor officials of the Amalga-
mated Association, no hesitation Is shown
In ayyara fpu hair n{ytn hot &o
great danger the peace negotiations may
be broken off at any moment unless better
conditions are offered by the steel corpora
tion. One of the local leaders said he un-
derstood the executive board was more
willing to continue the strike to desper-
ate finish than TO accept the terms offered
by Mr. Morgan through the national Of
fcers. In this stand, he said, the board Is
supported by majority of the Amalga-
mated Association members.
T. H. Flynn, national organizer of the
Federation of Labor, said today that his
organization would make the first assess
ment on its local lodges next week for the
Amalgamated strikers. This, of course, Is
subject to the contingency that the strike
may be settled In the meantime. Not less
than 10000 viii come in from the first as
sessment.
Shaner Under Severe Strain.
President Shaffer arrived shortly after IL
o'clock. He was serene but gave evidence
of being under a severe strain. When ap-
preached he would give no intimation what
ever as TO the prospect OF either peace or
an extension OF the strike. and said he did
not know whether there would be G ses-
sion of the board this morning or not. With
this he hurriedly entered the conference
room and locked the door. Vice President
Chappell was seen few minutes later and
he said there would be a meeting of the
board, but would not say anything more.
1t Is believed that IL President Shaffer cam
not impress the others with his views to-
day he will hold another conference tomor-
row. Many. however, say that today will
be the final test. and IL settlement can
not be effected at this sitting, an extension
of the strike to all Of the union plants OF
the United States steel corporation will be
ordered.
Manufacturers interested both In the
United States steel corporation and In fts
great independent rivals are watching the
progress of the conference OF the workers
with keenest interest. They declared that
IL the workers do not agree at this time
TO the proffers Of Mr.. Morgan. all negotia-
tfons would be declared OK and no further
conference will be possible They alao de-
clare that In the event Of q failure to set