Evening star., 1901-08-13
DIVISION IN UNION
Some Amalgamated Members Are
Opposed to Strike.
SITUATION GROWS MORE SERIOUS
Strikers Claim, However, That
They Are Gaining Steadily. y
MEN QUIT CARNEGIE MILLS

striking men idle as a result of the strike
of the Amalgamated Association. not more
than one-fifth of which number are MEM
bers of that association, the industrial
situation in western Pennsylvania and east
ern Ohio is growing acute. The remaining
four-fifths of the idle men cannot go
to work if they desire, because the one
fifth are the skilled steel and iron work
ers without whom the mills cannot be oper-
ated In the opinion of persons familiar
with industrial affairs. it Is no longer a
question of the success or failure of the
strike ordered by Shaffer. The real Issue
now is, they say, whether the striking steel
workers will be taken back to work as
members of the Amalgamated Association
or whether they will be compelled to for
swear the union before resuming their
places in the mills.
Information was telegraphed to The Star
yesterday of the movement inaugurated to
provide a way for the return of the strik-
ers without loss of union prestige. The
movement is gathering weight today, but
1t is yet uncertain whether it will receive
sufficient encouragement from the steel
trust managers to warrant a continuance
of efforts.
Peacemakers Are Handicapped.
The peacemakers are further handicapped
by the fact that their efforts have not re-
ceived the Endorsement of Shaffer and the
Amalgamated executive board. There is
a possibility that the negotiations may he
conducted entirely outside the strike man.
ayers. 1t is believed the possibility would
become probability if an intimation could
be obtained from New York that the efforts
of the would-be negotiators are accept
able to the steel trust. There is strong
sentiment in manufacturing we'll as la
boring circles here against a policy of ex-
termination on the part of the trust against
the union. The belief is well grounded in
all industrial circles that the trust will
make mistake If 1t tries to utterly
crush the union at this time.
No cry, however, has come from the
strike managers. They have completely
tied up number of important mills of the
trust and have succeeded in locking tight
the wheels in the great Industrial plants
at Bellaire, Newcastle and McKeesport.
They are satisfied with the situation and
hope for overtures from the trust Their
satisfaction is not shared by the more con-
servative members Of the Amalgamated
Association and it is the latter class who
are looking for early solution Of the
problem.
Divisions Among Strike Managers.
The public Is aware. of course, that there
have been divisions among the strike man
ayers all along. They have cropped out
from time to time and the conservatives
took justification in their course from the
action of the western men in refusing to
strike. The Shaffer element does not 1t Is
asserted In Pittsburg, represent the old
time spirit of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton.
10 Shaff
and radical faction. introducing unfamiliar
tactics and policies into the action of the
association, and there Is considerable re-
sentiment toward them on that account
The old Amalgamated was business or
ganization, formed to do business with
business men business basis. 1t kept
Its word and fulfilled its contracts, demand
Ing like treatment from those with whom
1t dealt The former officers, who repre-
sented this spirit, are not in Office now,
but they are still prominent in the associa-
tion, and at this stage are beginning to ex-
ert their influence.
Naturally, however, they are just as anx-
ious to preserve the autonomy of their or
ganization Shaffer and his ieutenants
They profess TO see In the trend Of present
movements the possibility of the union be-
ing wiped out unless a compromise can be
i'''Nhcut anu iof lildl reason are Wlllln& TO
consider the question of going back to work
on the old basis, trusting to the future to
conserve the welfare of the association
But with Shaffer holding out for a strike
at one end and the steel trust at the other
end seemingly bent upon annihilation of
the association, doubts are expressed of
the success of the efforts.
Prospect of Trouble.
IN ha he
strike seems to be drawing near There is
unrest dissatisfaction and bitterness
among the workers who are held out of
their places by the strike of the skilled
Workmen. Ii Is only necessary for the
trust TO obtain a few skilled workers In
each plant to start the mills going again
Efforts to do this, however, are regarded
as likely TO result in collision and conflicts
The American Sheet Steel Company has
made an important move in posting a no
tice inviting its former employees in certain
of the plants to return TO work by next
Thursday, guaranteeing them a years en-
ployment at the old rate of wages and de-
caring that those who fail TO respond by
Thursday will not be taken back later
Today found tightening of the strikers
lines about Pittsburg. McKeesport and Bel
laire the important and critical points
last night and this morning to the number
oi at least 1900, representing workmen who
were forced out of their places by the shut
ting down of other departments allied to
the mills on strike
Lively Scenes I'm McKeesport
Scenes in Mckeesport this morning were
very lively. All the idle men were on the
streets and about mills, the mayor having
refused to disperSs the gathering, claiming
th;.t they were orderly and holding, more
over, that the mills trespassed upon the
public streets more than did these work
ingmen. Several non-union men who came
in 10 get work In these mills were rounded
up by the police and hustled out of town
The strikers have the mills thoroughly
picketed to prevent the entrance of men
who desire to work. Violence is not used
argument being sufficient In all cases thus
far to head off the workers not to persevere
in their efforts to enter the mills.
The river front of the mills is also we'll
guarded. Strike pickets in rowboats patrol