New-York tribune., 1901-07-24
4 QUESTION FOR MR.. SHAFFER.

The news which comes from the neghbor-
hood of the idle steel mills demands the atten-
ton of Mr.. Shaffer, president of the Amalga-
mated Association. He is the organizer of the
steel strike, and is responsible for its conduct
and consequences. Therefore, when reports
come that the striking steel workers in several
towns acting as If they intended to resist
by force any efforts TO reopen the mills with
non union lab Dor it is natural TO turn to Mr..
Shaffer and ask what sort of a strike he pur-
poses to conduct. AT Wellsville. Ohio, some OF
the strikers attempted TO interfere with work
men in the streets, were arrested and dis
charged. after n lecture the legal right OF
persons TO work in spite of their disap-
proval. The leader in charge of the strikers at
Wellsyille is quoted saying that If the com
pany should import workmen TO start the plant
he will mobilize men from the surrounding
works and have three thousand assembled in
a few hours In McKeesport the strikers are
reported TO be wary. are patrolling the streets
and asking all strangers what they are there
for. Az Painters Mill the strikers have code
OF signals by which they can call a crowd at
the least sign of activity in the plant. At
other places active watch is being kept, and
preparations are being made 10 prevent the
operation of the mills by Ion-union men.
This looks uncommonly like an cid fashioned
strike. The signs are all familiar, and now that
both Wall Street and the politicians have failed
TO make Mr. Shaffer's fight their own il seems
perfectly natural that the old fashioned weapons
should be resorted to- Mr.. Shaffer however.
cannot afford to have them resorted TO, and he
should take prompt measures for the abandon
meDt of tactics inconsistent with the sort OF
campaign he pretends TO be conducting. The
picketing and street interference so far reported
can hardly be said TO amount TO disorder, but
they would inevitably lead TO disorder in case
the manufacturers seriously tried 70 open the
mills. 1t is the organization for forcihln resist
ance TO the operation of the plants by the own
ers with the aid of such persons may be
found willing to work fer them. and unless Mr..
Shaffer is willing to sec disorder precinitated
at the critical moment he should enforce the
rule he has ostentafiorsly given 10 keep away
from the mills.
He has said this not Old fashioned
strike. has denounced ricketing and running
"scabs' out of town and told his men that
there was No excuse for force and that they
would win IN the end by simply sitting still.
Did he mean 81? Or was he talking peace ami
obedience 70 law simply for effect on public
opinion? His words and the acts OF his sub
ordnates are not consistent They have net
to be seen that thev arc IayirG the mircs and
intend TO be IN position 70 eyrloae them e the
mills are reopened. and ther foresae themselves
beaten unless they ca b.! physical fore drive
away tho nop-union men three F~"g1g - sup
plant them. Mr. Shaffer cannot h" '-n.rant OF
their doings He can stop them if II will. and
II he is thoroughly sincere ard detel mined.
he has proclaimed. 10 corduct IN industrial
movement which accordi0G TO his own words
is not properly TO be callei a strife. so differ
ept is II from the old fashioned caJ1paign OF
boycottinG AMI viole1oH, he will stop them be-
fore any disorder occurs. Otherwise he will
class himself with Debs and the long list of
other adyenturers who have puffed themselves
up with the notion that the labor organiZa-
tiops which they led were above the law and
could do as they pleased with other peoples
property.