The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-18
President Shaffer, However, Is Re-
the Power of the Union.
SAID THE ISSUE WAS DRAWN
AND HE WOULD RATHER DIE FIGHT
ING THAN BACK DOWN.
Later Modified His Utterances-Situa-
tien at the w. Devices Wood
Steel PIant-Other Strikes.

PITTSBURG, April 17-Chances of all
the men of the Amalgamated Association
employed in the organized mills OF the
American Sheet Steel Company, and, sub
sequently, of all the organized men OF the
association in mills of the United States
Steel Corporation tremble in the balance
tonight. On the one hand President L. j.
Shaffer is backed UP in his determination
to call general strike by a majority OF the
members of his advisory board and the dis
trict vice president and trustees, who were
in session all day to-day. On the other
hand. there is a new move toward concili-
alton and arbitration, which may end the
entire controversy in Pittsburg tomorrow,
or it may be carried 70 New York to be
adjusted by the higher powers. President
T. j. Shaffer however, said, tonight, that
the outlook for settlement is better than
at any time since the trouble at the w.
Deweese Wood steel plant at Mckeesport,
began. He refused TO explain this state
ment
Col G. Watson French, vice president of
the Republic Iron and Steel Company, Wis
tied Amalgamated headquarters to-day in
relation to matters pertaining to some of
his own mills. He became interested in the
issue against the Sheet Steel Company and
volunteered to do all in his power TO avert
a struggle. He talked to the advisory board
for an hour, advising conciliation and ar
bitration. Later, 1t is understood Mr..
Shaffer heard from Colonel French, at his
home, in relation TO some action he had
taken. When the Amalgamated president
was asked to tell the nature Of Colonel
Frenchs message he declared that he had
nothing TO say, but would not deny that
he had received such a message. The ses-
sion Of the Amalgamated executives to-
day took no action on the presidents pro-
posed resolution giving him power 10 call
out the men of the Sheet Company and
subsequently, as he sees fit all the men of
the Morgan company. This is
counted for in the absence of Vice Presi-
dents John T. Ward. of Niles. o., and
John Chappen, of New Castle, Pa. The
meeting adjourned until tomorrow morn
ing, when these officials will be present.
JARRETTS STATEMENT.
Much of the session to-day taken up
in conference with John Jarrett, head of
the labor bureau of the Sheet Steel Com
pany. Mr.. Jarrett contended that the men
had violated their agreement of year ago,
in which they agreed to remain at work
under the condition then existing, the vio-
lation being in their joining issues with the
association The Amaigamated men were
firm in asserting that their joining of the
association was not a violation of the
agreement The original agreement will
probably arrive tomorrow from New York,
and will be further discussed by the board
and Mr. Jarrett The nature of this agree
ment consumed, in argument, much of the
time of to-day's sessions and on it hinges
largely a remote possibility of settlement
without further concession by the Sheet
Company or testing of strength of the
new industrial combine of capital and
President Shaffer's association of the COM
bined skilled men, John Jarrett asserted
that the company had made absolutely no
effort to displace the men on strike at Nc
Keesport. While the company is anxious to
run the mill it is now seriously working on
| the line of conciliation, he said.
1t was explained in the meeting that al
soon as the resolution was passed giving
Mr.. Shaffer all power in the matter he
would address to the heads of all the con-
| stituent concerns of the United States
Steel Corporation a letter advising them of
| the authority vested in him and fixing
date when all these men will be called TO
strike, in the event that the Sheet Steel
| Company has not been forced TO settle
| either through the Gripping of their own
| operations or by the intercession of the
| higher powers. Such a communication, in
the event of the resolution passing is also
TO go to ex-Judge E II. Gary, chairman,
and Charles NJ. Schwab. president of the
United States Steel Corporation. A canvass
of all parties TO the dispute indicates that
| the declaration of strike will not take
| place for several days. The effort at con-
ciliation to be made tomorrow will be fol-
lowed by others that will take time.
SHAFFER'S FIRST STATEMENT.
Previous TO the meeting to-day Mr.
Shaffer said he would ask for power 10 call
out at his discretion the employees of the
American Sheet Steel Company. and then
if he deems IL necessary. a last resort
10 extend the strike order TO sil the plants
of the United States Steel Corporation He
| did not hesitate to declare his intention of
carrying out his prerogative OF calling out
the employees of the great combine if the
resolution was passed by the board. Said
he: Il could not yield the point demanded
! of me at McKeesport and l would rather
die fighting than lie down. The issue has
been drawn; there can be no backing down
| now. We have received kilograms from cur
members in different sections Of the coun-
try indorsing the stand we have taken and
saying they will stano by u.s. II ii comes
| to a general strike"
Fifty thousand men is considered by
| labor authorities to be a fair estimate of
the membership Of the Amalgamated AS
| sociation. The association is. according TO
| the statement of Secretary John Williams
| in more prosperous condition financially
than ever in its history. OF the total MEM