The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-07-27
THE STEEL SITUATION.

Pittsburg, July GA McKeesport
pa) dispatch says: THE present indi-
cations are that the employees of the
National Tube company Of Mckeesport
will go out on a strike very soon. The
majority of the employees have Joined
the Amalgamated association, and, al
though wages were advanced on July
l, they propose to strike to uphold the
association"
A Monessen (Pa) dispatch says the
outlook is for the early closing of the
tin mill. The men are wavering, and
the organizers say they are meeting
with much more encouragement. The
management is taking extra precau-
tions to prevent the strikers from gain
ing entrance to the mills.
McKccsport Is again the center OF
interest in the great steel strike. In
tense excitement prevails there over
the fact that many guards have been
sent into the Demmler tin plate mills
and the report that arrangements have
been completed to start the works with
nonunion men on Monday.
1t was said that, inasmuch as the
men had struck in spite of the scale
agreement, the company was through
with the Amalgamated association and
would resume as soon AS men cOuid De
secured. Percy Donncr, manager OF
the Moncssen plant, known as a sue
in
tation with the Demmler people, and it
was said that he was to take charge of
the mill
So ominous was the situation that
Rev. Stuart Sharp hurried to this city
to beg the tin plate company 0flcials
not to attempt to start the mills, as
bloodshed would surely follow.
At the Devices Wood Plant.
The situation at the Devices Wood
plant also became more interesting
when the management of the works
| announced the intention to start the
| plant nonlnion within very few days
| and that the police department of Nc
Kccsport would be looked to to protect
| the new wOrkmen.
| Manager Cooper intimated quite
| strongly that the mills would be run
| strictly non,rnion aud that no Amalga
| mated people would hereafter be EN-
ployed in the w. Devices Wood plant
He said he had been given to under
stand that the Drnmler plant would
also hc opened at the same time.
1t is extremely quiet at Wellsville.
-Four mills are in operation, and Man
agcr Rrookman is preparing to make
good his assertion to have the entire
plant in operation ON Monday. 1t is
said the men are beginning to realize
that the management is in earnest, and
many have notified Mr.. Brooklnan that
they will report for duty next week.
Some excitement has been caused by
report that well just outside the
plant had been poisoned and that two
strike breakers living in the mill had
been taken violently i'll. The placing Of
guard over an arteSian well near by
gave color TO the report, but il was
stated at the mill that there was no
sickness and the guard was merely a
prccaution.
Mass Meeting Abandoned.
A giant mass meeting Of union men
which was to have been held on the
public square here has been called off.
The leaders of the Amalgamated asso-
alton fear that they would be unable
TO keep such crowd of men in control
and fear that riot might be precipi-
tatpd that would cost the association
the sympathy of the general public.
The only change in the local situation
is the closing down of the open hearth
furnaces at tlArk's. A number OF the
men who had been working at the
furnaces quit and went to work for the
Cruciblc Steel company. The order has
gone forth that now that the men have
struck. the furnaces will be dstnantled
The plant is still guarded by specla
J watcvv'ncn, but the city policemen have
been withdrawn.
AT the Amalgamated Offices the Off
GERS of the association said that the!
had heard of no changes of importance
in the strike at any point. The re-
ports concerning an alleged move OF
the unurganizcd men of the Duuuesn
mills Of the Carnegie company Wer
not credited at the Amalgamated head
Quarters.