Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1901-04-19
THE Big STEEL TRUSTi
May Soon Be at War With Half a
Million Strikers.
THE CONTEST AT MKBEsPORT

II Is Said to be But the Preliminary
sISirInish in "a Battle For Recogni-
tiOn which the AmnIgnmated As
ISOLATION VIII Wage.
Pittsburg, April 1.-THE strikers at
The Wood plant of the American Steel
company, at McKeesport, secured ac-
cessions to their ranks yesterday by
| the 125 men in the Enobling depart
ment joining them. This leaves only
the steel mill and the hammer depart
ments at work, and they will continue
in operation until the work now in pro-
gress is finished, VIXEN the shutdown
will be complete.
The officials of the company stated
yesterday that applications for employ
ment were coming in rapidly. 1t was
stated that 70 applications were receiv-
ed Monday, but the applicants were
informed that no definite answer would
be given them for several days.
An official very close to the manage
ment Of the company said today that it
is the intention of the company to close
down the McKeesport plant for an in
definite period. The present is not an
opportune time for a labor contention,
owing to the transitory state of the
companys future policy, caused by its
absorption by the United States Steel
corporation.
1t was further stated that the nom
union plants of the company were pro-
ducing As per cent of the tonnage of the
combination, and that no serious in
convenience would result to the trade
by the suspension of the union sheet
mills
President T. J. Shaffer, of the Anal
gamated Association, stated today thai
, the workers were driven to the stand
they have taken by not one, but many
acts of bad faith on the part of the
Sheet Steel company. He said: THE
affair in McKeesport is not the onl!
, trouble existing between the American
> Sheet Steel company and the Amalga
mated Association of Iron, Steel ant
Tin Workers. At the last general con
ference, when the scale was signed 70
this year, we tried to secure the sign
ing Of the scale for all the mills the
control, and pointed out to them tina
if they refused to sign for all grea
losses would be entailed and troubl
ensue upon our attempt to organic
non-union mills"
President Shaffer, at a meeting c
the national advisory board of tn
Il Amalgamated Association today, urge
Of oil MIA ,At- =
the American Steel company in tn
i0 country, and the question is now b.
/ ing discussed. If the general strike
ne ordered it will involve 100000 worl
6e men.
o. Secretary Jarrett, in charge Of Il
labor bureau Of the company, YVES pre-
81 ent at this meeting to present the con
=, pany's side of the matter and use evel
- endeavor to avert a general strike.
the statement credited to the compaI
~ that the McKeesport plant will
~. closed Indefinitely rather than reco
NJ nize the union, is adhered to Preside
-, Skaters attitude will demand that t
as entire strength of the Amalgamat
Association be pitted against the she
company as whole. 1t is not know
Use whether Mr.. Jarrett made any pledg
he on behalf of the company.
nd The fate of the Amalgamated Ass
ny citation practically rests on the OIL
lat come of this conflict, for which t
sa- labor officials have been preparing. =
ted Wood plant has been non-union
ate 20 years, and on account of this was
sed lected as the first battle ground w
ad. the launching of the big steel trust t
lie Amalgamated officials took eve
es- means to strengthen their position, a
son at present the organization is stronl
cen numerically and financially than
the many years. While pursuing this p
lis icy the trouble at McKeesport was p
on cipitated The work of organizat
led, at the McKeesport department cont
the ues, and large accessions to. the raj
and of the organized workers have b,
made in the past few days and c.
tinue