The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-08-01
THE PLAN MAY FAIL.
Amalgamated Association Leaders
Discuss Peace Proposal.


failure of the executive board of the
Amalgmated Association OF Iron,
Steel and Tin Workers to ratify the
peace proposals arranged at the con.
ference in New York last Saturday
between the national officers of the
Amalgamated association and Messrs.
Morgan, Schwab and Gary, represent
ing the United States Steel corpora
ton. When the conference opened
Tuesday it was confidently expected
that an agreement would be reached
in a short time, but after session
lasting from $3.50 a. m. until $3.50 P.
m. the meeting adjourned without ar
irving at any conclusion, so far as
known, to meet again this morning.
May Not BE Ratified.
The protracted session indicates
that the board is not satisfied with
the provisions of the compromise
measures, and unless some modifiea-
tions are made its ratification is
doubtful. The opening of union mills
to nonunion workmen is the point on
which it is believed the board hest
tates to accept, and the long-distance
telephone between New York and
Pittsburgh was worked frequently to
get modification of this clause. The
workmen hold that this would give
the mill owners full opportunity of
crushing the union without a strike
by finding excuses to discharge union
men and then fill their places with
nonunionists. Another rock of dissen-
sion is said TO be the retention in
, their present jobs of the men who
worked as strike breakers at the
various mills during the strike. 1t is
said that these men have been prom
ised the protection of the manufactur-
ers in case of a settlement, and that
they will not concede their dismissal
at the request of the organization.
The workers, it is said, are willing to
declare the mills now working nom
union open mills, but strenuously OBJ
jeet to having all the mills of the
combine classified as open mills.
Conferees Maintain Secrecy.
All is, however, conjecture, as it is
impossible to get any definite state
ment from any of the parties inter-
ested concerning the days confer
ence When the board dispersed at
$3.50 every member was waylaid by
persistent newspaper men seeking in
formation, but every question was an
swered by the same stereotyped
phrase: I'VE can say nothing. There
is absolutely nothing to give to the
4, l. F,,I
if the members of the general exec
utiye board of the Anna lgamated assoc
citation were ever more uncommuni-
cative and reserved than during and
after the meeting. The Importance
OF the matter in hand, the fate of the
strike and the welfare of thousands
of members Of the organization, now
idle, rested upon their decision.
Only one Absentee.
The fun board was present, with
the exception of National Trustee
John Pierce, who was away on Off
cial business. The members gath
cred at the general offices of the
Amalgamated association early in the
morning and at $3.50 o'clock were
called to order by President Shaffer.
Those present in addition to the Off
cials of the board were Joseph Bish-
op, former president of the associa-
ton, and now a member of the Ohio
board of arbitration, and NJ. NJ. Gar
land, also an ex-president of the as
ISOLATION. When the meeting was
opened all but the conferees were re-
quested to leave. The discussion
started after President Shaffer had
gone over the details of the confer
ence he had had with Mr.. Morgan
and President Schwab in New York.
Long Discussion.
Secretary Williams read the report
of the conference, which he had pre-
pared, and also the propositions
that had been made by the officials
of the United States steel corpora
ton. The members of the board lis
tened with close attention to all that
was said, and the discussion that fol-
lowed was carried on in low tones.
This discussion continued until after
the noon hour, and then the meeting
was adjourned until the afternoon.
After adjournment President Shat
fer and Secretary Williams declined
to talk at all. Assistant Secretary
Tighe was agreeably happy and
cheerful, but said that he knew moth
ing of interest to the public. NJ. NJ.
Garland, who was present at the first
session Of the board, did not return
during the afternoon, but as he left
the offices of the organization seemed
10 be satisfied with the discussion
that he heard there. While Mr.. Gar
land has all along maintained that
he has taken no active part in the.
negotiations for settlement of the
strike, he is believed to know much
more about the preliminary move
ments that are said in this confer
ence than he wished understood. Mr..
Garland declined to discuss the meet
ZIG, and would give no idea of the
probable result of the conference.
Under these conditions, the result of
the meeting became matter Of pure
conjecture during the afternoon.
Afternoon Session.
At 2:4o o'clock the meeting Of the
board for the afternoon began. AL
were present who had taken part
during the earlier session with the
exception Of Mr.. Garland. Close
watch was kept for results of the
meeting. Twice President shaffer
came to the hall and attacked an ice
L.