New-York tribune., 1901-07-17
STRIKE IN WAITING STA GE.
QUESTION OF HOLDING OUT BY STEEL
MEN AND EMPLOYEES WHERE REAL
TEST WILL COME
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

Pittsburg July 16-The strike situation has
reached the beginning of the stage Of endurance
already The Amalgamated Association has sue
ceeded in bringing into its COLI mn some Of the
non-union plants. but even among the strikers
1t is believed that the men have about reached
their limit of attack in that direction. To throw
idle all the non-union plants. even the chief
rlants. of any one of the combinations. except
-he American Tin Plate Company IS out Of the
question, and to detach many more in addition
to those already mentioned as closed, would be
enormous task,
In this city the Monessen tin plate plant hith-
erto non-union. and the hoop and cotton tie
plant OF William Clarks Sons Company, have
been added to the Amalsamated list of idle mills.
Both were unexpected, and count in the balance
foc just that much influence. Reports received
at the headquarters of President Shaffer indi-
cate that the strike in generaI-that is. outside
the Pittsburg district, where the minority Of the
union plants are located-has been entirely in
accord with the plans of the Amalgamated AS
sociation
The situation now is beginning TO develop into
the waiting attitude. with each side in the field
with plenty of spies. The steel corporation is
suspected of preparations at different plants to
produce material that should have come from
the plants now idle. All these plants being
watched and will be the storm centre just
soon as anything definite develops. There could
readily be an interchange of operations among
the sheet and black plate plants. and as the
greater proportion Of the sheet mills in
ope ration it would be distinct advantage il the
sheet company could start some Of the idle sheet
plants with a portion of the forces at the non
union plants
This is the point 20 which the Amalgamated
Association is giving IT'S greatest attention now
If the waiting and show of endurance extends
over much time. the Amalgamated Association
realizes that its chances OF winning are lessened
In proportion 10 the time covered 1t is for this
reason that the activity of the organizers and
missionaries among the established non-union
plants is pushed to the limit. The purpose is TO
maintain the air of excitement without per-
mitting a reign OF disorder to appear The
strain upon President Shaffer and bis councillors
is beginning 10 tell. II is becoming more and
more a matter of doubt among his followers
whether he will be able to redeem his promises
to make the strike n general one He asserts he
will. but admits that the spread Of the idleness
depends entirely upon the discretion Of the men,
The tying up of all the plants of the American
Tin Plate Company and the majority Of the pro-
ducing capacity OF the American Steel Hoop
Company with a fairly even division With the
American Sheet Steel Company. gives the SJrik-
ers a decided advantage so far. At some OF the
plants now idle the men have not been employed
much in the last fifteen months. and the orSani-
cation is bothered in keeping these men in line.
This is particularly true of the men in the tin
plate plants. who are muttering against the
strike order. The wage scale for the tin plate
plants in every part of the country was settled
about month ago and it is this fact that IS
causing the discomfort among the tin plate
workers. They are opposed TO drawing chest