Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-09-28
SHAFFER'S STATEMENT
Blame Loss Of Strike on Gompers
and Mitchell.
FEDERATION HELPED HIM NOT
Mitchell, He Says, Promised 10 Call OH
Miners if First Proposition Was Rejected
BY the Trust-Terms Of the Set
Element.

Ter statement giving history Oh tue
late strike and the terms of the set
Element, will probably be mailed to all
districts of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton today. 1t says in part:
1--WE were in fairly good condition at
the start of the strike without help,
but looked for aid from other labor
bodies, some of which were pledged,
and to the general public, but espe-
cially relied upon the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, with which body we
have been affiliated ever since its in
ception, and toward whose support
we have never failed to contribute.
Our stock advanced, and we were con-
fident of winning, until the newspapers
deliberately and maliciously published
statements which were replete with
lies. Our people began to doubt and
upbraid; some, who had been officials,
deserted us, and afterwards, like j.
d. Hickey, of Milwaukee. accepted the
terms of the trust and 'scabbed.' Hun
dreds who dared not work at home
went to other places, and in nearly
every mill the trust tried to run there
were many Amalgamated men from
striking mills. We knew our case
would be lost, but proceeded, feeling
sure we could win if support could
be secured for the faithful strikers.
The American Federation gave us not
one cent. The report that financial
help came from the national lodge of
the Mine Workers is absolutely false
we received nothing
Gompers Failed to Appear.
s'Perceiving that lack of money, loss
of public approval, desertion by hun
dreds of our own people and neglect
by other organizations would render 1t
impossible to gain a decisive victory,
we endeavored to save what we could.
| arranged for Mr.. Gompers, of the
American Federation of Labor, to meet
Mr. Morgan to eeffct settlement Mr..
Morgan gave up his vacation, went to
New York and waited for Mr.. Com
pers, who failed to appear, nor has
he since explained why he neglected
our interests. We were called upon
at the national Office by John Mitchell,
of the United Mine Workers; Mr.. Eas-
ley, of the Civic Federation; Mr.. Henry
White of the Garment Workers, and
Professor jerks, of the Cornell Uni
versity.
"These gentlemen inquired carefully
Nv hnn Oh of
that if we would present a proposition,
which he outlined, he would demand
acceptance by the trust, or call out
the miners, and he said he felt sure
Mr.. Sergeant would call out the train.
men to strike also. We sent the prop
osition to the members of the execu
tive board, which voted in favor of the
proposition, of which the following is
copy:
We, the representatives of the Amalga-
mated Association, hereby agree that the
scale shall be signed for the mills which
were signed for last year. with the un.
Outstanding that union prices shall be
paid in the mills now on strike, and, tina.
no striker shall lose his position because
of connection with labor organizations
nor shall he be prevented from continu.
ing his membership if he desire.
81 notified Mr.. Mitchell of the ac
ceptance of the proposition, but or
September received telegram from
him. stating that his committee had
called upon Mr.. Schwab and presented
the proposition, which was rejected
He said, however, that he could effect
a settlement on the following basis:
The signing of the agreement for all mill
which were union last year except OLE
Meadow, Salisbury, Hyde Park, Crescent
Irondale, Chester. Cambridge, Star anc
Monessen. There will be no --scriminatior
against the accomplishment of any one by
the company by reason of his connection
with the strike. and no questions will b.
asked as to the membership of any mar
in any union.
"Mr. Mitchell also said that this
was the last proposition the United
States Steel Corporation would enter
tain, and he recommended that we ap
prove it.
Miners Were Not Called Out.
"Mr. Gompers then called me up By
phone, and stated that he, as an indi
vidual, RECOMMENDED that we take {
stand for the proposition. We refused
to hold further telephone intercourse
with him and waited for the coal min
ers and railroad men to be called out
They were willing to come, as thou
sands assured us, but they have no
been called. and the trust was more
sure that, with other organized Labor
bodies against us, we must be defeat
ed Our PEOPLE became disheartened
they sent letters and kilograms asking
the board 10 settle. That body gave
full power to the national officers, anC
the lat,eg eauested your president (
seek q conference. He was successful
after mrny 6i@culties. The conference
was r ~ n New York, September IA
and tho NOD settlement made
The Gay at Eoosevelt's Home.
Oyster Bay, l.. l., Sept 20.-Ths
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