Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-02
No Exciting Developments in Steel
Workers Strike at PittSburg,
REAL STRUGGLE MAY BEGIN SOON
Both Sides Waiting and Watching
for Developments.
STRIKE FUND BEING RAISED

PITTSBURG, Pa. July 2-The second
day of the strike OF the sheet steel and
steel hoop workers of the Amalgamated
Association opened without interesting or
exciting features. Il evident that
neither side anticipated early developments,
as there was no unusual activity about the
combine offices and the utmost quiet pre-
vailed at the headquarters Of the workers.
AS President Shaffer remarked. the condi-
tions of the present strike were peculiar
and decided results were expected for
ten days or two weeks. BY that time the
manufacturers, having all necessary repairs
at their mills completed. would be anxious
to resume operations The struggle would
then begin in earnest.
The belief is quite general however that
the real test will not come until the close
of the hot weather and the general resump-
tion of business in the early fall and in the
meantime 1t is thought that the conflicting
interests Will their way clear to recede
from the present positions.
Preparing for Long Struggle.
That President Shafrer of the AmaIga-
mated Association is preparing for the
rainy day which may come II the strike is
prolonged indefinitely is evident from the
circular mailed to the association lodges
today.
sessments upon their members, the money
to be. used for the relief of such members
of the association as might be out of
work. The money collected by these as
sessments of the lodges Will be forwarded
to Pittsburg, where 1t Will be placed in
the general fund of the association. The
latter has for years been creating a strike
fund. Systematically and methodically.
This fund is said now to amount TO be-
tween S.1o.000 and 500, 600.
The combine officials do not appear to be
worrying over the situation, and say they
do not recognize a condition of a strike as
there may be a renewal Of negotiations at
any time and a settlement effected In out
side circles the belief is growing that the
strike will be called of before II gets
fairly well under way.
Outside the combine plants there is little
apprehension over the situation. Among
the independent companies in Pittsburg
who have closed down, but who ready
to sign, are: Zug & Co., limited, will sign;
the Pittsburg Forge and Iron Company,
who are satisfied to grant the mems de-
mands; A. NJ Byers & Co OF the South
Side, at present closed for repairs, but
ready to sign the scale whenever the COM
mittee waits upon them. and Brown & Co,
who are closed for repairs.
Surprise for Strikers.
The announcement today that the sheet
combination had cut prices occasioned sur
prise, as II is known that all the mills have
be en- busy and many orders remain untitled.
The heaviest cut is on No. 2s. the standard
gauge, which is reduced from S3.35 per 100
pounds to So. 10. The lighter gauges have
been cut in prices from 81 to 50 ton. The
move puzzled the Amalgamated officials,
and President Shaffer said: 1T has been
done merely for the purpose OF having an
effect on the independent sheet manufac-
turers who have signed our scale"
The advisory board OF the Amalgamated
Association has not yet been called to
meet to consider the situation, but a meet
ing will be held soon If the American Sheet
Steel Company shows no disposition to re-
open negotiations. President Shaffer says
the call for another conference Will not
come from the Amalgamated Association,
as the ultimatum of that organization was
given at the last conference.