Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17
CRISIS IN THE STRIKE
All Depends Now on Action Of West
ern Mills.
PROSPECT OF TROUBLE INCREASES
President Shaffsr Makes Signifi-
cant Remark on That Subject.
THE GENERAL SITUATION
THE GENERAL SITUATION

Special From a STAFF Correspondent.
PITTSBURG. Pa. August 1.-THE crisis
in the strike is now at hand. If the Mil
waukee men go out tonight 1t is the belief
of the strike managers that Chicago will
follow, and that the strike will even extend
ultimately to Lorain. In Pittsburg the
situation is considered to be one of great
gravity Conservative observers cannot
see the end in sight. The success of the
strikers during the past week has been
phenomenal No one can tell where the
thing is to end. There are possibilities
that the strike may involve allied indus
tries to an extent beyond present compre-
hension. At the beginning of this week
the steel trust managers were confident of
breaking the strike in a short time. The
gains made by the strikers during the week
have dissipated that confidence and the
steel trust thinks now that long struggle
is at hand. 1t is the policy of the trust at
present to play a waiting game. There is
nothing else to do. The losing
more money every day than the trust in
comparison to the resources.
Situation at MckeespOrt.
Every mill owned by the United States
Steel Corporation in McKeesport is now
idle on account of the strike. The last of
these plants closed yesterday when the
200 men employed in the galvanizing de-
partment of National Tube Company in
Versailles borough came out
President Shaffer regards conditions in
Monessen serious owing to the attitude
of the borough officials toward the strikers.
He has made complaint of the actions of
the coal and iron police, who are guarding
the Clark mills In Laurenceville to Di-
of ,lo
safety, and says that legal action is to be
taken to prosecute these officers for as
saulting peaceable strikers on public prop
erty.
Confidence is felt by the leaders of the
strike in the unionism of the mill workers
In Milwaukee, who expected to follow
the action of the men in Joliet at once
Rumors are current that some of the men
on strike in Mckeesport would like to re-
turn to work If assured of protection. The
general situation about the Pittsburg mills
Of the United States Steel Corporation re-
mains quiet.
President Shafer Talks.
President Shafer, discussing the general
situation of the strike, said: Amy breach
of the peace that has taken place
since this strike began has not come from
the side of the strikers but from the other
side. We have obeyed all laws, counseied
peaceful means to conduct the strike sent
circulars and letters, and personally ad-
vised our people to keep wholly within the
laws of the community in which they live
and of the commonwealth. II the trust
continues to openly transgress the law. and
the authorities. as at Monessen, continue
to show the same disregard for the rights
OF citizens, cannot be held responsible
for the consequences.
we fear no trouble here. So long as the
authorities treat US in the same manner as
they treat the other side and show no
favoritism there is not the least danger of
trouble. The difficulty will come whenever
the acts allowed on the side of the
trust and our people are harassed and in
suited on every hand
Trouble Expected at Monessen.
There are fears af trouble when the
American Steel Hoop Company attempts
to start the Monessen mills 1t was an
nounced last night that the company had
assurances that they would have men
enough to start the plant next Monday
morning. The men are under contract to
be at the mill by o'clock on that morning
The plant has been entirely fenced in,
and a complete system of guards has been
organized which will be large enough to
give ample protection to the men while at
work. The plans of the company are well
known TO the strikers and the men In
Monesscn are using the most determined
vigilance to prevent the entrance of the
strike breakers NJ the hoop mills.
The efforts 10 bring about a settlement of
the strike continued today without effect
n. O.. NJ