The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-17
sHAFFER NOT SURPRISED.
Says He Expected the Strike to
spread-More Mills to BE Closed.

PITTSBURG, Pa, Aug. 1.-THE spread
Of the strike" said President Shaffer to-
night, has not surprised me. 1t is not
even up to my expectations. By this / do
not mean that L am disappointed by the
way the men a come out, but that / am
certain that more Will come out in a short
time. All those who are out are going to
stay out, too. There Is room for believing
that men in McKeesport will break away
from their present position in spite of the
stories to the contrary. Other mills will be
closed before many days, and the spread Of
the strike will go on with the same regu-
larity that has characterized 1t In the past"
In reply 10 queries regarding the reports
received from Assistant Secretary Tighe,
now in Milwaukee, Mr.. Shaffer said: II do
not look for any statement from Mr.. Tighe
until he returns home. He will be too busy
while on his trip to devote any time TO
making any reports. We will know more
about the feeling OF the men in the West
when a direct statement is made from him.
Any breach of the peace that has thus far
taken place since the strike began has not
come from us, but from the other side. We
have obeyed all laws and counseled peace
full means in the conduct of the strike. II
the trust continues TO openly transgress the
20 W 40 - 40 1OAAto ~ WI alllAO
be held responsible for the consequences"
Mr.. Shaffer then went on to describe how
the A~malgamated men had had every in
ducement to riot and had resisted the
temptation. In one or two instances the
matter had been referred TO the authori-
ties: In concluding his statement Presi-
dent Shaffer said that he always would
endeavor 10 carry on this strike with per-
feet regard for all laws. 1t had been con-
spicuous for this reason so far, and the
A~malgamated Association intended 10 show
the neOnla that the steel workers were
capable OF handling the contest legally.
''The men have been insulted, aggravated
der this treatment" he said. They have
regarded every attempt on the part OF those
interested to draw them into a riot as di-
rect agents of the trust, who were seeking
this very means OF getting the police and
militia to aid them in fighting the working
men,"
President Skaters confidence In the
unioniSm of the Bayview men at MilWau-
kee was of the positive kind, and he felt
sure they would come out as soon as the
true situation was explained to them, as
Advices from Youngstown show that by
unanimous action the steel workers of the
American Steel Hoop. Company decided
they would not attend the meeting asked
for by the officials of the company. The
men say they are familiar with the propo-
sition which the conference offered and did
not need 10 be notified by the officials of
Its terms. General Superintendent i. w.
jerks. OF the American Steel Hoop Com
pany' tonight expressed regret. that the
men refused TO meet the officials in con-
ference as he believed certain misunder-
standings could have been explained. He
said further that under no circumstance
would his company sign the scale OF the
Pittsburg mill. but reiterated the state
ment that 1t stands ready at any time to
sign for the mills of this district. which
includes the two plants here and those al
Girard. Warren and GreenviIle. He made
no threats. and yet intimated that IL Is the
purpose Of the company TO start the mills
of this district shortly. whether or no.