The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-09
TEST OF STRENGTH.
Both sides Making Preparations
Gompers Advising Shaffer.

PITTSBURG, Aug. S.-The contending
sides in the steel strike are centering
their energies for a show of strength on
the day that the general strike order be-
comes effective. The United States Steel
Corporation is reopening mills closed by
the first strike call to show its indepen-
dence of unionism, and gathering strength
wherever it may tighten the effect of the
general strike order. and the Amalgamated
Association is bending its energies to the
extension of its membership and to obtain
the support and cooperation OF the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. The general
strike order becomes effective on Saturday
night. and the claims put forth on either
side as TO the results that will accrue from
1t are widely at variance.
Oficials OF the steel companies admit that
thousands of men will obey the order Of
President Shaffer Of the Amalgamated AS
sociation and go out, but they positively
deny that the tie-up will be general. They
point 10 their success in reopening four
mills that were closed and say they have
strOngholds at points where the Amalga-
mated Association claims the greatest
strength. The steel officials are inclined to
minimize the sympathetic assistance which
the Amalgamated Association will get
One official stated the matter this way:
what can the machinists do? Have they
not been beaten2 And the mine workers.
Did they aid the firemen?"
President Shaffer and his assistants. on
the other side. insist that the strike order
will be generally obeyed and that they will
obtain more than enough support TO cripple
the steel corporation. I'VE have these peo-
pie licked to standstill already" was the
way that Vice President-elect Gibson of
pittsburg, voiced the feelings OF the ANAL
gamated people
With both sides arming for the conflict
end e general strike but forty-eight hours
away. many ordinarily well Uniformed per
sons hold the belief that there will vet be a
settlement OF the strike Xervl Preston
came here yesterday and his presence start
ed the rumor today that he was here for
another conference in behalf OF the steel
corporation. Mr. Preston denied this and
during the day made no effort 10 see any
or the strike leaders. Some of the men who
predict settlement believe there will be out
side intervention from powerful Interests
and submission OF the dispute to arbitra-
ton Men or national reputation, includ-
ing Archbishop Ireland and Senators Han
na and Scott. have been named in this CON
Eection. but II EFFORT is being put forth in
that direction IL is being done without
knowledge of the public.
President Shaffer devoted to-day TO n con-
ference with President Gompers, OF the
American Federation OF Labor who came
here for a personal study OF the situation
before committing himself or his imnensa
organization In any manner. The confer
ence reached no conclusion, and unless
there Is an alteration Of plans will he re.
sumed at 10 o'clock tomorrow nornine
President Gompers came here i'm comna1y
with Frank Morrison, secretary OF the
Federation. and was met at Amalgamated
headquarters by President Shaner Secre-
tary Williams. Assistant Secretary Tighe
Vice Presidents Rees and Chappeu IA,
tionaI Trustee John Pierce ant Ben /.
Davis President GonpeFs declined 20 state
the result OF their deliberations and would
saw nothing. President Sharrer also a.
clined 10 talk. The strikers believe they
will secure the active cooperation OF the
Federation.
The steel corporation succeeded to-day in
getting the Farm mill az the Lindsay a,
McCuteheon plant and another mill az the
Clark works started. They also received
reports that At Hyde Park last night four
or the mills did perfect work and an an
nouncemcnt came from Wellsville that the
strike was virtually over there. They met
with no opposition al any or the four
>oints where they have reopened mills. The