Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-08-15

Pittsburg, Aug. 13.-The struggle
for mastery between the manufactur
ers and the men in the steel industry
is now fairly launched, and on the
first show of strength the advantage
is with the former. The general
strike order issued by Shaffer has 50
far been obeyed by about only $4,000
men according to the best figures Oh
tainable here. The first two prelim
mary calls were answered by about
$4,000 men, so that the total number
now out is in the nelghborhood Of
10000. The strikers made gains yes
terday over the showing Of Sunday
night and their prospects for further
accessions at both McKeesport and
Wheeling during the week are very
favorable.
The action of the Amalgamated
men at Chicago, Joliet and Bay View
in refusing to come out and their
failure to secure any recruits in the
Carnegie group throughout the Kis-
kiminetas valley and the big plants at
Youngstown and Columbus, Ohio,
have been markedly disappointing 70
them. They are keeping up the fight,
however, in a spirited manner and
claim to have strength in reserve
which will surprise their opponents.
They assert they have gained foot
hold in the Carnegie mills and at the
time desired the men will come out.
They are pressing their advantages at
McKeesport and Wheeling, their Or
ganizers being still at work at those
two cities.
The appeal for financial aid has
been made to organized labor and the
general public and it is expected the
response to it will be liberal. The
Amalgamated leaders are not dis
posed to do much talking. They
would not discuss the desertion of
their western fellows. The men who
are directing the fight in the field for
the steel corporation and it's constitu-
ent companies would give no indica-
ton of their plans for the future and
would only discuss the situation gen.
orally. They admitted the loss yes
terday of the National Rolling mill at
McKeesport, which had been expected
to hold out, and that the Boston mill
and Monongahela Steel works at Nc
Keesport and Republic and Elba were
tied up. Their tube workers at Nc
Keespori are still at work, but are
| menaced by a possible shortage of
material They claimed many of their
men at Mckeesport and Wheeling de-
sired to work, but were being terror
lied by the disorderely element. 1t
was also stated by steel officials that
the Clark mill here was moving along
with non-union crews engaged last
week and that another mill manned
by old Amalgamated men had started
up at Wellsville, representing gain
Of one there since Saturday.
Officials of the National Tube COM
pany and Mayor Black of McKeesport
clashed yesterday over the question
of protection for non-union strikers
and property. A large crowd of strik
| ers assembled around the works IN
the morning and their pickets inter
copied the tube workers. There was
SOllIS SACltSlllSuC anu Iu0 HILL
claiming their men were being threat
ened and in danger of violence, called
on the mayor to clear the streets and
protect them. The mayor said he
would only interfere to stop actual
rioting and assault Two other ap-
peals were made later, but Mayor
Black insisted there was no danger of
an outbreak. The executive commit
tee of the Amalgamated association
will probably make an exhaustive in
vestlgation of the action taken by the
lodges at South Chicago, Bay View
and Joliet in refusing to make the
strike. 1t is claimed the canvass
made a week ago showed a majority
in favor of striking and no reasonable
explanation of the change of front
has been made. Shaffer refrains from
direct criticism Of the act of the
western men, but it is known he deem
ly regrets the loss of their support.
Long Strike Off.
Kansas City, Aug. 13.-The machin.
lists strike inaugurated thirteen weeks
ago was declared off yesterday by the
strikers and the men still out will re-
turn to work as soon as the employers
fol-