Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-24


compelling settlement. In part the
circular is as follows:
THE CIRCULAR.
when we had almost completed ar
rangements with the representatives
of the American Tin Plate Company
for scale rates and conditions, at the
conference held in Cleveland, the ques-
ton of signing for Monessen was
preached. and after discussion II was
agreed by both sides that the matter
was to be settled by the sheet steel
conference; IL the Sheet Steel Com
pany signed for all. the American Tin
Plate COMPANY would do likewise.
Thus. you perceive, the scale question
was not settled completely with the
last named company and could not be
until the other company had settled.
The tin plate people knew that we had
decided to enforce Art. XIX, Sec. 30,
consequently the ehfrge that we broke
our agreement must rest upon the
action OF the sheet conference. 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
especially relied upon
The American Federation of Labor,
II Ill. -. hann =
fliated ever since It's inception and
toward whose support we have never
failed to contribute.
"Our strike advanced, and we were
confident of winning until the news
papers deliberately and maliciously
published statements which were re-
plete with lies. Our people began to
doubt and upbraid, some. who had been
officials. deserted us, and afterwards,
like J. d. Hickey of Milwaukee, ac-
cepted the terms Of the trust and scab-
bed. Hundreds who dared not sheep
at home went to other places, and In
nearly every mill the trust tried to
run we're A. A. men from striking
mills. We knew our cause would be
lost, but proceeded feeling sure we
would win II support could be secured
for the faithful strikers. The Ameri-
can Federation
Gave Us Not One Cent.
The report that financial help came
from the national lodge of the mine
workers is absolutely false-we re-
ceived nothing.
"Perceiving that lack of money, loss
of public approval, desertion by hun
dreds of our own people and neglect
by other organizations would render
it impossible to gain decisive VIC
tory, we endeavored to save what we
could. | arranged for Mr.. Gompers,
of the A. f. of L., to meet Mr.. Morgan
to effect a settlement. Mr.. Morgan
gave up his vacation, went to New
York and waited for Mr.. Gompers, who
failed to appear, nor has he since ex-
planned why he neglected our inter-
ests. We were called upon at the ma
tional Office by James Mitchell, OF the
United Mine Workers, Mr.. Easley, OF
the Civic Federation. Mr.. Henry
White of the Garment Workers, and
Prof. jerks. of Cornell University.
These gentlemen inquired carefully
into our strike, and Mr.. Mitchell stated
that If we would present proposition,
which he outlined, he would demand
accepted by the trust,
Or Call Ont the Miners,
and he said he felt sure Mr.. Sargent
would call out the trainmen to strike
also. We sent the proposition to the
members of the Executive Board,
which voted in favor of the proposition
of which the following is a copy:
I'VE, the representatives of the Anal
gamated Association, hereby agree,
that the scale shall be signed for the
mills which were signed for last year,
with the understanding that union
prices shall be paid in the mills now In
strike, and that no striker shall lose
his position because of connection with
labor organizations, nor shall he be
prevented from continuing his mem
hershin II he desire