Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-07

The big strike order is out; but just
when it will take effect was not ascer-
tainable last night. The probability,
however, is that the coming Saturday
will be the last day of work.
The first news of the issuance of the
order was received in this city at $40
o'clock yesterday afternoon, coming
from an operator in Pittsburg, who
broke into New York saock wire with
the news The information was in the
possession Of the Register in one min
ute. and was at once telephoned to
Martins Ferry, Bridgeport. Benwood
and Bellaire. for the information of our
patrons in those cities and towns AS
a result the news was very quickly
known. and many queries for details
were received, they commencing to
come in very few minutes. The most
frequent query was: When does it go
into effect?" But that information
could not be given, the closest approach
to an answer being: I'm few days"
The opinion last night appeared to be
that Saturday would be the last day
Of work for the union men for many
days to come, but the moment of writ
ing this is an uncertainty.
The issuance of the general call by
President Shaffer was not unexpected,
bat was none the less deplored, by
workingmen and business men alike.
The former realize that 1t Is the begin
ming of general fight for the life and
principles of unionism! the latter that
IL means a prolonged period of
dullness in trade. And both fear that
even the limits of the Amalgamated
Association and of its ally the Fedora
ton of Labor may not fully define the
boundaries of the trouble, but that it
may extend, directly or indirectly, to
many interests not Immediately con-
Cerned. Such a contest between labor
and capital cannot but have far
reaching effect, and time alone viii en-
able an intelligent estimate of the re-
suit
That the general public of Wheeling
was intensely interested in yesterdays
news goes without saying. 1t was al
most the universal topic of converse
ton. Workingmen going to or from
their toll discussed 1t; business men
asked for unobtainable details; it was
talked over in the hotel Hobbies, in res
taurants, in saloons, on the street cars,
on the corners of the streets-where-
ever men congregatcd-and at the
homes of all classes it was topic of
absorbing interest.
AS a matter of course, the inevita-
Bile crop of rumors was forthcoming.
1t was asserted that the order went
into immediate effect; that sympathetic
strikes would follow; that there was
trouble at Wellsville; that non-union
men were coming to Wheeling, and so
on. These stories had no proper basis,
but were the natural result of an ex-
cited and anxious feeling on the part
of the public.
AS a matter of fact, there appears to
be no reason co expect any radical
change in the local situation for sew
eral days-possibly for a week. When
the order takes effect, however, it will
be seen that the local officials of the
Amalgamated Association have been
doing much work among the men Of
the plants in this vicinity and that the
big organization will have strong sup
port. They have been working very
quietly. but very effectively, If current
report is to be believed. For instance,
it is asserted that much progress has
been made in the work of organization
at both the Bellaire and Riverside
plants, and that most Of the high class
of shilled employees have become mem
bers of the Association, and in addi-
ton it is announced that the Lodges
generally in this portion of the valley
have been very noticeably strengthen
ed in preparation for what was inevi-
tably coming. Details of this increased
strength are not procurable, the facts
being kept close by the labor leaders,
yet they are not adverse to dropping
hints here and there that they are en-
tirely satisfied with the situation from
an organization standpoint. The aver
age mill workingman talked yesterday
of "a long vacation" Of fishing trips,
or of another job. or Of general good
rest and there was neither surprise nor
dismay at the advent of the crisis.