Evening star., 1901-08-10
GOMPERS WILL AID SHAFFER.
He Says the eARsalEamated Association
Must Not BE Defeated.

He Says the RsalEamated Assoc fatfOn
Must Not Be Defeated.
President Gompers of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor was closeted with the ad-
visory board of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton for more than two hours at Pittsburg
yesterday. Before he left the meeting he
gave his promise to support the strike, and
at O'Clock last night gave out the follow
ing statement:
''Since the arrival of Secretary Morrison
of the American Federation of Labor and
myself we have been In almost continual
conference with the advisory board of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel
and Tin Workers. We made q thorough
investigation of the present strike of its
members formerly in the employ of the
United States Steel Company and its con-
stituent branches: the causes which led to
the strike. the present situation Of the con-
troversy, and we unhesitatingly declare
our Judgment that the position of the
Amalgamated Association Is absolutely
justified and essential to its continuance
and effectiveness as union Of the work
ers in the trade, as well as the protector Of
the rights and interests of It's members.
First Demands Modified.
'It is true that the Amalgamated Asso-
citation in the first conferences asked that
union scale of wages for all the mills op
Grated owned and controlled by that COM
pany. but it is also true that the request
was withdrawn and one substituted so that
the union scale should apply to those mills
only in which the members Of the Anal
ganaated Association are employed: In
other words. which are well known to be
union mills. This the United States Steel
Company refused to concede, insisting that
the scale should apply only to those mills
which were union last year, even refusing
to allow two mills to be included which.
by a species Of hectoring and systematic
opposition OF the company, had become
non-unien during the year.
Even the first demand for the scale to
be applied generally throughout the juris-
diction of the company was commendable,
for the obvious reason that employer
should be willing to pay uniform wage
to men who perform like work; but realiz-
ing this to be a demand for those whom 1t
did not fully represent, the AmaIgamated
Association modified its demand to the eX-
tent already stated.
1T appears that the company took the
position 1t did with an aVowal that II
would not allow the extension of the union
to non-unionists. Such a position and
avowal are tantamount to declaring that,
notwithstanding the growth of the craft.
the organization had reached status be-
yond which it could not extend.
An Impossible Status.
Now, any one at all familiar with in
dustral development and economic organ
ization are equally aware that status Is
never possible. Organized labor advances
recedes. never stands still. It therefore
follows that IL the trust. by it's great
wealth. can prevent the extension and
growth Of the Amalgamated Association 1t
encompasses It's disintegration and destruc-
ton. The only power then standing be-
tween the trust and workers as a. protector
are the tender mereies OF it's directors
Against such a calamity the sense of JUS
tice and humanity revolt, and against
which we solemnly protest
I'VE shall. stand by the Amalgamated
Assocteti3n'fn the present conflict to ths.
full exteilf of our power both morally and
financially; we 3haii aid In every lawful
way the men on strike, who may come
cut on strike to maintain the workers in
their right to organize, and the extension
of their organization. SO that the only
power which stands for their protection
AID advancement against the avarfce of
concentrated wealth may be perfected and
perpetuated. When the overweening rich
combine for avariee, power and tyranny,
i.s - not the duty of the workers to unite
for heme Justice. right and humanity?
~ the trust should succeed in It's pur-
pcse to crush the Amalgamated Associa-
ton, the victory would be dea<ly bought
The tight OF the brave Beers may end
In their undfeing. hut the spirit OF Justice,
the love OF freedom and right. suddenly
looms I'D IN another part OF the world,
these principles find Judgment in the
hearts OF other men, who will carry on
the battle until they are enthrOned in the
conscience and everyday NE OF all peo-
ples: SO with the Amalaamated Assecia-
ton. an organisation may be defeated ia
q contest. bat Il VIII not be conquered.
Bnfen Mmst N0A He Defea4ed.
saTho AunalaHuaeed Associations will net