New-York tribune., 1901-08-16

FORMER MILL OWNER CONFERRING
WITH sHAFFER AND OTHER LABOR
LEADERS-RESULT IN DOUBT.
Efforts o settle steel strike were ngafn
In progress N Pittsburg, but their success is
doubtful. A former mill owner conferred
with the strike leaders In regard to n pInn to
he submItted to the officers OF the steel
corporation.
The employees Mt the Joliet mills of the MI
nois Steel Company decided by a unanimous
vote to obey President shaffer's strike order.
This action will close the plant there and
throw 5000 men out of work.
There Important strike develop
ments In other places.
Pittsburg. Aug. 15-Once more efforts to
settle the steel strike are being made here. but
their success is in doubt. Neither side will ad-
NIT that a single step has been taken toward
bringing about understanding, that there
is any prospect of an exchange of peace pro-
posals B. NJ Caldwell. formerly a mill owner.
of Mingo Junction is known TO have conferred
with the strike leaders with view to outlining
a basis of settlement which he plans to place
before the officials of the steel corporation. He
is believed to be the mysterious man who con-
ferred with President Shafer for more than
two hours at the strike headquarters to-day.
although the latter said later that he had not
seen Mr.. Caldwell for months. Both sides Wig
orously denied that they had either made over
lures or received proposals. but it is known
positively that the plan is under considera ton
Mr. Caldwell is acting Independently. and does
not represent either the manufacturers or the
men No statement could be obtained from
him. and no idea of the terms that have been
considered can be had 1t is believed here that
under certain circumstances the contending
sides could be brought together and a settle
ment effected but the result remains TO be
seen
President Shaffer in a statement made at noon
to-day said that personally he was for peace.
and that ne fighting only because he was
on the defensive and forced to fight His state
ment follows:
I will say officially that the AmaIgamatel
Association has submitted no proposition to the
steel corporation, nor has the steel corporation
offered any proposition directly to the AnalSa-
mated Association. We have not heard from the
corporation officially since last conference
in NewYork. 1 will say, however, that certain
men formerly connected with the Amalgamated
Association interfering in this matter, and
interfering with our fight. They had better
keep out Of it, they will get the worst Of IT.
Personally wish the fight were settled; but now
that we are forced into fight and called upon
to defend ourselves. are fighting on success
fully. 1 know of no plan for a settlement. and
can assure you that no representative or the
steel corporation has oeen 10 tnese heduquar-
ters. The statement In morning paper that
there is a movement to depose me and that We
are not working in harmony is lie. II Is more
than false-it is lie!
M Sbaffer did not name the men he charged
with unwarranted interference IN the affairs of
the organization. but ex-Prestdent NJ. NJ Gar
land is believed to be of the number
President Shaffer and his associates had busy
day at strike headquarters They were on hand
early and with a dead line that Kept the
third floor of the Bissell Block clear Of all in
trllders went into conference with the man. who
is believed to be Mr.. Caldwell who has come
into the breach with a peace plan. President
Shaffer did not appear until shortly after noon.
when he made his statement to the newspaper
men.