Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-04-17
FEARED INVASION
BUT IMPORTED MEN DID NOT
COME TO McKEESPORr.
PLAN FOR A GENERAL STRIKE
ono All the American Sheet Steel Co.
Plants-Amalgamated Associa-
ton Is Strong.

Pittsburg, Pa, April 11.-Quie1 pre-
walls this morning about w. Devices
Wood plant of the sheet steel company
at McKeespOrt. but the strikers have
returned to their home, to await the
decision of the advisory board in session
here to-day as to the advisablity of
calling out the employees of the other
mills. The strikers had an exciting
night. 1t was reported that the COM
pany would make an attempt to bring
outside men to McKeesDort and that a
score or more men We're on barges across
the river awaiting an opportunity to b.
struggled into the works. Patrols were
thrown out and every avenue of ap-
proach guarded, but the expected move
ment did not develop. The hammer
house is the only department in opera
ton. and unless the sheet mills resume
work soon the men in this department
will have no material to work on after
next Friday. Manager Coope" posted
an order notifying all employees in the
run out force, bar mill and sheet mill
to report for work Thursday, April IS,
at I d. m. or consider themselves dis
charged. They We're required in the lat
ter case to call at the office ana get
their money. A high board fence has
been built around No. 2 mill, ANA it is
reported that an attempt viii soon be
made to start up. The plant has six
teen mills.
There was full attendance of the ma
tional officers and trustees, who make
up the advisory board at the meeting
held at national headquarters this morn
ing. No one was admitted but tbs. me M
bers of the board and the vice presi-
dents. General Manager Smith and Sec
retary John jarrett, of the American
Sheet Steel company. We're invitel to
be present, but Mr.. Smith did not at
tend. Secretary Jarrett was on hand
and consumed some time in placing be-
fore the members of the Amalgamated
Association the position his company
has taken in the fight now on.
President Shaffer stated that he would,
if possible, go to McKeesport after the
meeting to advise the men now on strike
and counsel them to be mild in their acts
No action had been taken by the board
UP to 1890 p. m. It was stated that they
We're waiting on one of the vice presl-
dents who had not arrived, but was ex-
pected this afternoon 1t was the gen
eral expression that strike would be or
dered but that the decision would not be
reached until late this evening. This
seems assured unless concessions We're
made on both side.
The combine. it is said, will be asked to
vacate the position it has taken in the
matter or else the strike will be declared
Around the Amalgamated headquarters a
general air of expectancy prevailed. Men
of all crafts We're dropping in at all times
and eagerly inquiring as to what the
prospects for strike We're. They seem
to realize that once the struggle is pre-
cipitated, its effects must of necessity be
far reaching, concerning them all.
Previous to the meeting Mr.. Shaffec
said he would ask for power to call out It
his discretion the employees Of the Amer
lean Sheet Steel company and then, if he
deem it necessary as a last resort to
extend the strike order to al the plants
of the United States Steel corporation
He said:
IL, could not yield the point demand
ed Of me at McKeesport, and l would
rather die fighting than lie down. Tn
issue has been drawn, there can be no
backing down now.
I'VE have received kilograms from
our members in different sections of the
country endorsing the stand we have ia
ken and saying they will stand by us
if it comes to a general strike
A canvass of the members developed
a strong individual disposition to grant
President Shaffer the power to call out
the employees of the other mills.
President Shaffer wired President
Gompers Of the American Federation of
Labor explaining the situation at length
and asking for any assistance the fed
Grafton could give if the conflict came.
Fifty thousand men is considered by
labor authorities to be a fair estimate
of the membership of the Amalgamated
Association.
The association is, according to the
statement of Secretary Willis, in more
prosperous condition financially tran
ever in it's history. OF the total men,
bership, $1,000 are employed by the Re.
public Iron and Steel company, which is
not a member of the Morgan combine,
and by the independan t mill plants here
and elsewhere. OF the American Sheet
Steel company's plants, 64.5 per cent of
the total capacity is in organized mills.
The company operates IS large plants
and a number OF small ones. some six
of the 30 plants owned by the combine
being shut down and partially Gtsman-
tied. Twelve of the Dia.ss are union
mills
SALE OF SCHOOL BONDS.