Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-25

AS conflicting stories were afloat as
to the state of affairs in the Bellaire
steel works, a special representative Of
the Register passed the day yesterday
in the metropolis Of Belmont county
thoroughly investigating the situation.
The Office of the steel plant was first
visited and an interview sought with
Manager Carter. who has entire super
vision of both the Bellaire and Mingo
Junction plants. Meeting that gentle
man and the interview being readily
granted. the reporter said:
Mr.. Carter the Register is desiroCs
of getting the exact facts as to the
present condition of this plant and the
amount OF work being done, what men
and how many are at work; whether
the strikers are seeking positions; your
attitude toward the men that went out,
and would like, after getting these
facts from you to verify them by an
extended trip through the entire
plant"
This is a pretty large order. but as
The Register has been fair with us, /
will endeavor to fill it, said Manager
Carter Shall we go down TO the
mills and look through them? I'll go
with you. if you like. then you can see
things for yourself"
The reporter suggested that he would
prefer to hear the managers views
and statement first, and Mr.. Carter
yielded the point.
I'VE are only running the day turn
this week. as we are not yet fully in
shape for the night turn, and If we
were | would not put 1t on at present
for other reasons"
Where did you get the men you
have now?"
They have applied TO us for situa-
tons since the notices were posted that
we wished workmen to man the plant.
Some of them are from Wheeling, some
from here-two old men went in at
noon and others will go on tomorrow
morning. There are a few colored
men, but we have always had some.
There are some foreigners. We get
men wherever we can, of course, with
ont violating the labor laws, as we are
anxious to have the mills manned for
both night and day work as usual. We
invited the old workmen to come, and
as they have not in sufficient numbers,
we are, by their action, compelled to
get men where we can find them
Have the strikers assaulted your
new workmen?"
mo. They stand about-the pick
ets-and watch them when they come
to work about 5 O'Clock in the morn
ing and when they leave at night. we
go to the gates to see how matters are
progressing when the men come in the
morning, but are not interfered With,
nor are the workmen.
Are you boarding any men in the
MILF"
Yes about a dozen or fifteen,
think, for reasons that will suggest
themselves to you?"
What is your attitude toward your
former employees who went out on
striker"
I'VE have no feeling against our
faithful old employees, and will not re-
fuse them those places that are vacant
when they apply and which they are
competent to fiji But we will not and
are not thinking of signing any agree
ment to take back all the men, en-
masse, as demanded by the union
here
Have YOU not had much trouble in
starting the mill?"
1T is not an easy matter 10 start d
plant of the size of this under the most
favorable circumstances, and it cannot
be done in a day But each day we are
doing more and better work than the
previous day We are going about the
matter of starting I'm the works de-
liberately, increasing our force gradu-
ally and shall shortly work the night
turns as we'll as the day
rs the plant in shape to run full
capacity if you had men to fully man
ito" "....
Our repairs are not fully completed
you will notice that third cupola Is
not in operation, we are refining 1T. One
blast furnace will be ready next week