The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-24
SKATERS EXPLANATION Strike Leader Tells Why Strike Failed.
 HE ISSUES THE CIRCULAR Federation of Labor Gave No Financial Support.
 Accuses Persons in High Places of
 Treason and Says He is will ing to Resign If Desired.

Pittsburg Sept. 2s.-The Associated Press has secured an advance copy of the statement of President Shaffer of the Amalgamated Association, giving a his- tory of the late strike of steel and tin workers from its inception and the terms of the settlement. President, s'haffer says that the statements contained therein gives fair and truthful account of oc- currences leading to and compelling a settlement of the strike.
 In part, the circular Is as follows:
 When We had almost completed ar engagements with the representatives of ths American Tin Plate Company for scale rates and conditions. at the confer ence held in Cleveland, the question of signing for Monessen was broached. and after discussion 1t was agreed by both sides that the matter was to be settled by the sheet steel conference; If the sheet steei company signeu tor al, the Ameri- can Tin K'iate Conlpany WVulu oo nKe- wlSe. The scale question Was not seItIed completely Mttn tlle IasI named company &no couid not De .uIuI the other com knew that we had decioeu to enforce Ar ucle A1A, Section 50, consequently the charge that we broke our agreement must rest upon the action of Lne sheet
 We were in fairly good condition to win without help. but looked for aid from other labor bodies, some of which were pledged. and to the general public, but erauon Of Labor. with which body we have been affiliated ever since its incep- ton and toward whose support we have never failed to contribute.
 Blames the Newspapers.
 Our strike advanced and we were connoent or winning until the newspapers deliberately and fnaliciously published W1 STa'emenss I @ which were replete with lies. proceeded, feeling sure we could win if support could be secured for the faith tul strikers. The American Federation financial help came from the National Lodge of the Mine Workers is abaoIutaly false. We receved ncthine.
 Perceiying that lack of money, iobs of public approval, deBertion by hundreds of our own people and neglect by other organizations, would render it impossible to gain decisive victory, we endeayored to save what we could. I arranged for Of Labor to meet Mr. Morgan to effect a settlement. Mir. Morgan went to New York and waited for Mir. Gompers, who failed to appear, nor has he since ex- pla1ned why he neglected our interests. We were called upon at the national of fice by John Mitchell of the United Mine Worker, Mir. Easley of the Civic Fedora tion. Henry White of the Garment Work versfty. These gentlemen inquired care fully into our strike, and Mir. Mitchell stated that if we would present propo- sition which we outlined he would demand acceptance by the trust. or call out the miners, and he said he felt sure MrA Sar- gent would call on the trainnen to strike also We sent the proposition to the members of the Executive Board which voted in favor of tha ur0NOafff0n
 "I notified Messrs Mitchell and Easley of the acceptance of the proposition and on September 4th obtained the following
 ''New York, Sept, 4th, 1901. !" Theodore J. shaffer. Pittsburg. Pa:
 "'We have had an extended conference with Messrs schwab. Cory. Preston. Gra- ham and McMurtey of the United States Steel Corporation and presented your Voposition for the settlement of the pre- sent strike. It was rejected. We can, however. secure settlement on the follow ing basis: The signing of the agreement for all mills which were union last year except Old Meadow, Saltsburg. Hyde Park, Crescent, Irondale. Chester, Cam bridge. Star and Monessen. There will be no discrimination against the re-em- ployment of any one by the company by reason of his connection with the strike and no questions will be asked as to the membership of any man in the union We are convinced that these are the best con- ditions which can be secured as result of this strike. that 1t is the last offer for an agreement which the company will entertain and that we must be in a position to accept these conditions today or all negotiations will be of. From the facts demonstrated to us of the present situation of the strike. that is the mills already in operation and several others which will be in operation within day or two We are strongly of the opinion that the interest of your trade and your orRaniZation demands that these terms be accepted We unqualifedly recommend their acceptance by you and at once.'
 Criticism of Gompers.
 'sMr. Gompers (by telephone) said to your president: MT. Shaffer I, as an in- diyid,ial recommend that you take a stand for the proposition. have done the same and would do so again We refused to hold further telephonic inter course with him and waited for the coal miners and railroad men to be called out. They were willing to come, as thousands assured us but they have not been called and the trust was more sure that with other organized labor bodies against us we must be defeated Our people be- came disheartened; they sent letters and teIegrams asking the oBard to settle. That body gave full power to the national of- ficers and the latter requested your presi- dent to seek a conference. He was slIccessfrl after many difficulties"
 MT. Shaffer. after giving the details of the conference, closes by saying he is IviIlin0 to resign If the members think