Evening star., 1901-09-03
MEN ARE DESPERATE
Situation at McKeesport Rapidly
Nearing a Crisis,
FEAR OF RESORT TO VIOLENCE
Break in Ranks of Strikers Cause
of Trouble.
MORE MILLS START UP
FEAR OF RESORT TO VIOLENCE
MORE MILLS START UP


McKEESPORT, Pa, September 3.-The
strike situation in this town is at a very
critical stage. 1t is but a toss of penny
whether there will be a general stampede
back to work or whether there will be
outbreaks of violence of most serious
character
The temper of the popuIace is divided.
The Amalgamated men are for remaining
out at all hazards and keeping every one
else out. The Federation of Labor men in
the tube mills are largely in favor of going
back to work, but are afraid to make tie
attempt. If the mills were in Pittsburg or
any place where police protection would be
guaranteed the tube mills would undoubt-
edly start up.
The workmen who were forcibly prevent
ted from going into the tube mills yester-
day numbered, it now appears, between
2oJ and 800. During yesterday they were
informed by the strikers that if they went
into the mills this morning the strikers
would enter the property and take them
out by force.
Consequently when the time arrived this
morning for the men to so to work, none
appeared. The strikers We're on hand, how
ever, in force, seemingly prepared to carry
their threats into effect.
The Men who Were Driven Out
The men who We're thus hauled off their
jobs Were machinists, bricklayers and la
borers. The strikers understood that the
tube mill was being repaired in order to
start up soon with non-union men. This
was too much for the Federation of Labor
men who had gone on the strike in SYM
pathy with the Amalgamated. To stand by
and see their jobs filed by non-union
workers, they said, could not be expected
OF them They might so back to work
themselves, if they chose, but they did not
propose to have any non-union men in the
deal.
Ihe town is awaiting with considerable
apprehension the contemplated attempt to
start the Demmler tin plate mill. Notice
was served upon Mayor Black last week
by the tin plate company that the mill
would be started this week. and police
protection was demanded. The MAYOR thus
lar has gone TO further than to promise
the same protection given to every one
else. This evidently is not satisfactory to
the mill managers, and they have been
postponing the start from day to day
The strikers keep picket constantly
about the mill to intercept incoming work
ingmen in endeavors to dissuade them from
going to work in the mill. 1t remains to
be seen how long these peaceful efforts will
it necessary to apply force.
Give Up DuGuesne
The Mckeesport strikers who have been
conducting the campaign against the Du-
Quesne mills, have abandoned their efforts
to cause a strike. For every man they
forced to quit work the company immedi-
ately found a substitute, and at no time
have the mills been crippled.
The result has been mostly to throw
forty or fifty men out of good Jobs. They
have joined a hopeless cause and now find
themselves martyrs to the Amalgamated
Association strike.
1t was stated from the outset that the
Carnegie people would in no circumstances
permit one of their mills to be closed
down. They can draw workers from other
mills, and only a concerted move on the
part Of all the employees can shut three
mills down. They are the pride of the
steel trust, and that corporation would go
10 any length to keep the wheels turning
in this property.
Indications of bitter internecfne strug-
gle in the ranks of the AmaIgamated AS
sociation continue. The criticism of Shaf-
fer, indulged in by Hickey, is attracting
widespread attention. and as the strike
hangs fire and the men begin to apprehend
failure hey are glad to find a scape goat
The report from Buffalo that the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor was investigating
the charges made by Hickey and would
probably withdraw its support from the
strike If found true, arouses general inter
est. If this program We're carried out the
first effect would probably be TO send the
men back 10 work in the tube mills at
McKeesport, which would be a body-bIow,
to the strike.
In the midst of all their difficulties. how
ever. the Amalgamated leaders are keep
ing up bold front and are still claiming
victory.
Tin Plate MiII starts Up
One of the largest tin plate mills in Pitts
burg was today put full turn and is
running as before the strike. This mornins,
thirty-two skilled men were brought from
Philadelphia. They were met at the Union
depot by thirty-two city police, and with
one policeman by each workmau's side the
squad were marched into the mill
The strikers were completely overawed
by the show OF force and made no demon
stration- At this same place last night a
lone colored man who came to the mill to
deliver letter to his brother was set upon
and cruelty beaten by crowd of 200 strik-
ers- He was only rescued by the bravery
of a lieutenant of police, who defended him
single-handed until reinforcen:ents arrived
and he was severely wounded with a brick
The steel trust is making good progress
in opening the tin plate mills in various sec.
tions.
1t is reported this afternoon that the EN-
ployes of the hoop and sheet steel mills OF
the trust in several Ohio towns are likely
to go back to work, leaving the tin plate
men to compose their differences with The
trust later.
Influences at work in Ohio to thi.
end. having in view the beginning of tho
state campaign this month. N O. NJ