New-York tribune., 1901-04-17
STEEL STRIKE SITUATION.
CONFERENCE OF LABOR LEADERS
CALLED FOR TO-DAY TO CONSIDER
CALLING OUT OF MORE MEN

Pttsburg April 1s.-The strike at the W. Devices
Wood plant of the American Sheet Steel Compa ny
at McKeesport is still The mill was opera ted
in a crippled condition, WITH about the same num-
ber of men working yesterday. The strikers
patrolled the streets for the purpose OF inducing
the workmen to remain away from the mill. but
they kept off the company's property, and no
trouble occurred.
Samuel M. Cooper. general manager of the Wood
plant is opposed to the recognition of the Anal
gamated Association. In an interview he said
This mill Will never recognize the union. The
Wood mill has been opposed to the Amalgamated
Association for over forty years, and the men at
the head Of the mill now just much opposed
to the association the former proprietors were.
I have received word from headquarters that the
company will never recognize the union.'
If the plans now contemplated by the Amalga-
mated Association are carried out, the result will
be suspension Of operations at all the union
plants OF the American Sheet Steel Company be-
fore the close of the week President T. ]. Shafer
Of the Amagamated Association to-day issued a
call for special meeting If the National Advisory
Board, together with the vice-presidents of every
district where the sheet steel combination has a
plant 1t will be held national headquarters in
this city tomorrow morning President Shaffer.
in speaking of the meeting tomorrow said with
considerable emphasis II shall advise and urge all
the members Of the board to vote for immediate
closing of I'll the plants of the American Sheet
Steel Company in the country. This will be the
beginning Of the fight, and l will say nothing fur
ther on the subject
When asked if the association could win by
simply shutting down the sheet mills. and whether
order would be close all the union
tnplate and steel plants of the United States Steel
Corporation. Mr.. Shaffer replied: II will say moth
ing more than. This is the beginning. and you can
take whatever conclusion you desire.
The officials of the American Sheet Steel Com
pany stated to-day that about eleven fires were at
work and that applications for employment were
coming In rapidly. 1t stated that seventy-three
applications were received yesterday, but the ap-
plicants informed that no definite answer
would be given them for several days.
An official close to the management of the sheet
steel company said to-day that II is the intention
of the company to close down the Mckeesport
plant for indefinite period. The present Is not
opportune time for labor contention. owing to
the transitory state of the companys future policy
caused by its absorption by the United States Steel
It was further stated that the non-union plants
tonnage Of the consumption and that no serious in
convenience would result to the trade by the sus-
pension of the union sheet mills.
President shaffer stated to-day that the workers
but ufTa acts e sa faith on the
sheet steel company. He added: The analr IN
tween the American Sheet Steel Company and the
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
scale was signed for this year, we tried secure
the signing Of the scale for all the mills they con-
sign for all great losses would be entailed and
trouble ensue upon our attempt to organize non
union mills
Mayor r. ]. Black of MoKeesport has ordered the
police force remain duty constantly TO
prevent any disorder that may arise The leaders
OF the strike, however state that they will be
able control the men, and that there is no dan
ger OF any 20 violence
Both President Schwab and Chairman Gary of
the United States Steel Corporation out of
town yesterday. but other officers OF the big com
pany said the published stories OF the serious
meas of the strike situation were exaggerated and
that the trouble was likely to spread beyond
the mills OF the Sheet Steel Company. in which Z
originated The stocks of the United States Steel
aH ted bv strike u