Evening star., 1901-08-01
Amalgamated Officials Still in Session
at Pittsburg.
USUAL SECRECY Is MAINTAINED
Impression Now is Chance OF
Peace is Less Favorable.
STRIKE AT M'KEESPORT

PITTSBURG, August 1.-The third ses-
sion of the meeting Of the executive board
Of the Amalgamated Association began
this morning and decisive action, whether
for continued war or for peace is looked
for today
President Shaffer appears to be exceed
ingly anxious to bring about a settlement
of the controversy, but 1t does not seem
that he will be successful in persuading
the majority of his associates unless he is
able to obtain for them some modification
of the terms that were laid down to them
by the big corporation. He spent all day
yesterday in his most earnest endeavors to
obtain some concession, and the secret con-
ferences by long-distance telephone and
with Messrs. Veryl Preston and Joseph E.
Schwab of the United States Steel Corpora
ton. who are in this city, were many, and
it is believed fruitless.
This unsettled condition Of affairs has
produced great restlessness among those
interested In the outcome, and while every
body fervently hopes that today will bring
an end to strife, many are still apprehen-
SlVe. The differences among the members
of the executive committee seem to be very
serious to produce such a spirit of dissen-
SiOn
Armfstice in Effect.
Pending the result of the conference
there exists a sort of armed neutrality be-
tween the opposing factions in the great
struggle. The strike leaders, however,
have relaxed none of their vigilance, and
the operating officials of the steel combine
are going on with their plans to start the
mills. There was some excitement at
Wel!sville last night over the report that
enough men to start two mills were COM
ing from Apollo. Trains were closely
watched and the river front patrolled all
night. but no new men arrived. The ad
visibility Of dealing forciby with the new
men was openly discussed, and the rabid
expressions foreshadowed the growing bit
terness that sooner or later may be ex-
pected to culminate seriously should
failure Of settlement be followed by an at
tempt on the part of the company to i'm
port additional men.
From sources close to the mill manage
ment the declaration was made today that
Immediately following a rupture in the
peace negotiations new men would be i'm
ported. In the meantime the company
would devote it's entire attention to per-
suading some of the weaker men to go
back to work. The strike situation at Nc
Keesport is without change. No efforts to
resume operations have been made at
either the Devices Wood or Demmler
plants. but everything is In readiness for an
early start with the old men If settlement
Is effected and with new ones If the con-
ference rejects the peace proposition.
Nearly Riot at Mckeesport.
Last night j. w. Smith of Wellsville,
Ohio. reached McKeesport and inquired for
work as a roller in the w. Devices Wood
plant. The stranger had been in the town
less than ten minutes when he was sur
rounded by crowd of the strikers.
Prompt Interference by the police avert
ed riot. and Smith was locked up on the
charge of disorderly conduct. He will be
arraigned for a hearing today. The man
declared that he did not know that strike
had been declared In McKeesport. The in
cdent caused intense excitement and the
strikers renewed their vigilance at the mill
entrances after the arrest.
From early indications there will be a
full attendance of the Amalgamated board
at today's session. President Shaffer was
on hand before 8 o'clock, and Secretary
Williams and Vice President Davis, who
were absent yesterday, were among the
first arrivals. Long before 10 o'clock, the
hour called for the opening of the meeting.
most of the members had arrived. The
guard, Charles A. James, a former member
of the board, was on duty at $50 o'clock,
and no one not connected with the confer
ence was permitted in the building.