Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-18
Amalgamated Men Cen
orally Obey Sweeping
Strike Order
Mills Shut Down in Con-
sequence But No
RIoting Occurs
President Shaffer Says
Attempts to Settle are
Throwing Dust

Pittsburg, July 16.-Reports received from
all sources connected with the great strike
of steel workers yesterday indicate the
members of the Amalgamated association
had matters we'll in hand and that the
strike order was generally obeyed. Tele-
grams from various points where the mills
of the American Tin Plate company, the
Rmerican Steel Hoop Co. and the Amer
lean Sheet Steel company are located, told
of the Shutting down of these plants in
large numbers. In many cases plants had
been shut down by the first strike order
which affected the sheet steel and steel
hoop companies only. The last order
brought out all union plants of the Ameri-
can Tin Plate company with a single eX-
ception, a new mill in Monessen, which is
still running.
While all the mills of the United States
Steel corporation are included in the gen
eral conflict, three companies are first at
tackled and what the next move would be
the workers would not say. 1t was an
nounced last night that a circular letter
which was expected to be sent out yester
day, calling on the men in the mills of the
Federal Steel company, the National Steel
company and the National Tube company
to come out, would not be issued at pres
cut.
The most interesting report to the Anal
gamated association yesterday was \ dis
patch from New York which said a con
ference of manufacturers was to be held IL
New York today at which Warner Arms
vice president of the American Tin Plate
company, was to present a detailed account
of the experiences of the committee that
met the Amalgamated association in this
city last week. 1t was stated that the cues
tiOn of Oh in extending the olive branch
the strikers or of taking up the fight anC
crushing the association would be deter
mined: Generally, speaking, the workers
from President Shaffer down, seem to be
looking for some sort OF a settlement.
At the general office of the American
Steel Hoop company in this city, it was
stated yesterday President Cory, who i!
also the executive head of the Nationa
Steel company, had nothing to say concern
ing the plans of the companies, in meeting
the difficulties of the strike nor as to wha
condition the mills were in where non-unio1
| men had joined the forces of the strikers
The policy of the manufacturers, it wa
said, is to remain quiet for time anC
await developments.
At the district offices OF the American
Sheet Steel company a meeting of the man
ayers was held yesterday. 1t was a closet!
guarded meeting and information was hare
to secure. 1t was said, however, that The
reports from the managers referred to thu
condition of affairs in the non-union plants
of the company. 1t was claimed the men il
the Old Meadow mill at Scottdale would
not go on a strike. The Scottdale iron anC
steel mill was also working and no sign:
of strike are visible there. The alleged
attempt on the part of the association tx
attack forces in the big Vanderdrift mill.
IN Vanderdrift Pa, is not regarded serious
Iy, though they are watching seriously al
such movements.
When Shafer was informed of the grant
ing of the advance to the McKeesport tube
workers, he said:
Il anticipated such action on the part OF
the manufacturers and have warned oul
men to beware against being blinded by
such dust throwing methods. The tube
this advance, coming at the beginning OF
the strike of the employees of three com
panies. with which we are at issue. is an
indication that the steel corporation appre
ciates the strength of the Amalgamated as
ISOLATION. and is trying to thwart its
growth and aims by such means"