River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-07-04
CONFERENCE IS RUTHLESS
Iron and Steel Employees and En-
ployers Unable to Agree
on Wage Scale.
STRIKE ORDER IS IMMEDIATELY ISSUED.
twenty thousand Skilled Worknen
Called out by Order-Statement of
President Shaher, of the AmaIgn-
mated Associatfon--AnOth Effort
at settlement to he Made.

Pittsburgh, Pa, July 1.-The joint
conference committee Of the Amalga-
mated Association Of Iron, Steel and
Tin Workers and the American Sheet
Steel company, which has been in sec
sion here, was unable to reach an
agreement on the wage scale for the
ensuing year, and adjourned finally
after a session of less than 20 min
utes. The Amalgamated association
officials asked that the scale be signed
for all the union mills, and the manu-
facturers presented a counter propo-
sition not only refusing to sign for all
the union mills, but STIMULATING that
two that were included lastyea be eX-
empted These mills are the Old
Meadow plant at Scottdale and the
Salisbury (PaJ works.
The conference then broke up and
President Shaffer at once issued a
strike order. The strike win involve
all the union sheet mills in the country,
and about 10000 skilled workmen.
Statement of President Shnffcr.
When seen by representative Of the
press, President Shaffer said:
1.-THE American Sheet Steel company
signed the scale last year in all our union
mills except the Woods mill At Mckees-
port
During the year they took advantage Of
the conditions existing at the Scottdale
and Salisbury plants to lead the workmen
from the organization and now they offer
to sign the scale az the reduced number OF
union mills The policy of the Amalga-
mated association under my administra-
tion has been conservative and for peace
but now it is merely matter OF which side
holds Qua the longest
When asked what the strike order
meant, he said:
MS a fight They threw down the
gauntlet and we took IL up. That's what 1t
means.
Number of Plants Affected.
A shutdown of the union plants of
the American Sheet Steelcompany will
involve nine Of the largest sheet steel
plants in the country. The company
operates a total of "a plants, but the
largest of these are the organized es-
adjustments. The Amalgamated as
ISOLATION controls 65 per cent. of the
production Of the company. and long
shutdown of this proportion of its
plants would mean an inestimable loss,
with the present crush Of orders.
Notwithstanding President Skaters
be made next week to effect settle
ment. as it is well known that neither
side is anxious for protracted shut
down. The ANA gamated officers would
not object to a suspension of two or
three weeks. for the reason that the
men are worn out with the steady
run ever since the first of the year.
Conference Resumed.
Pittsburgh. Pa. July 1.-THE bar
iron wage conference between the
officials of the Amalgamated associa-
tion and Representatives Of the Re
public Iron company and American
Steel Hoop company reconvened at
the Hotel Lincoln at two o'clock Sat
urday afternoon.
None Of the officials of either side
would offer to make prediction as
to the outcome of the conference.
IL. W. jerks. of the American Steel
Hoop company. admitted that num-
Der of points in the scale had been
agreed to, but they we're subject to
nm agreement on the entire scale.
Ii is believed that il a settlement is
not made Saturday both sides will
come to an agreement soon.
strikers viii Return to work.
Meadville. Pa, july develop
ments Indicate speedy settlement
of the boiler makers strike on the
Erie road. President Neill, of the
union. was at Susquehanna Saturday.
lie was here this week and will visit
! HorneIlsville. The men will return
| 10 work in one week. Both sides
/ have made concessions and every