Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-08-10
A GENERAL STRIKE
Order Calling Out All Men in Steel
Trust Mills Issued.
TAKES EFFECT SATURDAY
An Army of About 100000 is Likely to be
Made de-Great Trouble Predicted
An Appeal to all Unionists TO Battle

An Appeal to all Unonists to Battle
Together.
Pittsburg. Pa, August The die
is cast The battle of the giants Is
on in earnest, whether TO ignominous
defeat of one side or another com
promise remains to be seen. Up to
this evening it has been merely
skirmish, each side trying TO find the
vulnerable spot in the others armor.
Now it is different, brought about by
the actual issuance by President
Shaffer of the long talked of general
strike order.
This order was PROMULGATED this
evening to take effect after the last
turn OF the mill ON August 10. What
the result will be no man can fore
tell, but, Judging by the expressed de-
termination of both parties to the
controversy, the battle will be waged
fast and furiously. Much money will
be lost, thousands upon thousands of
men will be idle. great suffering is
looked for, even bloodshed and oeath
are possible an feared.
The strike call includes practically
all Amalgamated men in the United
States Steel Corporations employees
not now on strike. 1t was issued from
the Amalgamated Association head
quarters and mailed to all Amalga-
mated lodge officials, who are expect
ed to call their men into the strike.
The text of the call follows:
TEXT OF SHAFFER'S ORDER.
"Brethern The officials of the
United States Steel Trust have re-
fused to recognize as union men those
who are now striking for the right to
organize. The executive board has
authorized me to issue call upon all
Amalgamated and other union men in
name and heart to join III the move
ment to fight for labor's rights.
eve must fight or give up forever
our personal liberties. ''You will be
told that YOU have signed contracts,
but you never agreed to surrender
these contracts to the United States
Steel Corr oration. Its officers think
you were sold to them just as the
mills were, contracts and all.
Remember, before you agreed to
any contract you took an obi CATION
to the Amalgamated Association. 1t
now calls you to help in this hour of
ne ed.
"Unless the trouble is settled on or
before Saturday, August 10, 1901 the
mills will close when the last turn is
made on that dav.
Brethren, this is the call TO pre-
serve our organization. We trust you
and need YOU. Come and help us, and
NAV right come TO just cause.
'Fraternally YOURS,
u. r. Shaffer. -
President Shaffer added this state
ment:
THE call goes to the vice presi-
dents of the districts in winch there
National Steel Companies, as well as
90 the officials of the lodges in the
mills.
"No notice has been or is being
sent to the managers of the mills.
We think their notice has come from
the other side, and that they have
had warning of this ever since the
Inauguration of the strike. That
ought to be sufficient. -
NON UNION HELP EXPECTED.
President Shaffer does not know
exactly how many men will obey his
order. He is counting ON large
plumber of non-union men coming
out anG asking to be organized. But
no matter whether the unorganlzed
men go out or remain at work, the
strike will undoubtedly be bad enough
and will cripple the , 4el Trust in at
least three more operating companies
of the Morgan comb "a.
Mr.. Shaffer's ORE IS, it will be
noticed, do not limit the strike to any
particular company. He has worded
it so that il makes an appeal TO
workmen in all plants that are affill-
ated with the United States Steel
Corporation in any way. 1t is as
much an. Invitation to strike to the
men employed in the iron mines of
the Lake Superior country as it is to
the men in the Federal Steel Com
pany. In fact it is a call to arms of
the iron ore miners, the Lake steam