The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-31
TRYING TO END STRIKE.
Representatives of Steel Trust
and Strikers Will Negotiate
This Week.

Pittsburg, Pa, July 27.-The
strike of the steel and tin workers Of
the Amalgamated association against
the United States Steel corporation
probably will be settled this week.
The conference held in New York
Saturday between the officials of the
United States Steel corporation and
President T. j. Shaffer and Secretary
John Williams of the workers organ
ization has resulted in paving the way
for renewal of negotiations between
the two conflicting interests. It is
said that basis for such a conference
has been arrived at. This basis is
still locked up in the minds of the Off
cials of the two organiztions and will
not be divulged until later this week.
If the basis is satisfactory to the
general executive committee Of the
Amalgamated ssociation the conference
between the association md the manu-
facturers will proceed at once. If, on
the other hand, the basis is not what
The Amalgamated association will per
NIT to be considered as negotiable
grounds, the strike will be continued
with the same vigor as at present and
with indefinite time for its ending.
President Shafer and Secretly Viii
iams of the Amalgated association re-
turned from New York this morning.
They left the metropolis at $50
O'Clock Saturday night, after an event.
fnl day. They had spent many hours
in conference with the leading officials
OF the steel trust, had evaded all Of
the New York reporters, and came
home with hopes for an early ending
OF the present contest. In Pittsburg
little was known Of the conference,
but the greatest interest in the out
come was shown among the manufac-
turers.
Secretary Williams was found at his
home this evening. Mz. Williams
was courteous and promptly admitted
that he had been with President
Shafer in New York and had seen j.
P. Morgan, but as to what had taken
place there he said with frmness that
he was pledged to secrecy and could
not talk. If there was anything to
be given outit would come from Presi-
Cent Shaffer, but he was positive
President Shaffer would not be at lib
erty to talk for some days. When ask
ed if he regarded the situation hope
Ful for a settlement he declined even
10 offer an opinion.
Additional information regarding
the New York meeting OF the indus
trial leaders was afterward picked up
from reliable sources. It was stated
that the two Amalgamated officials
left Pittsburg late On Friday night and
when they arrived in New York went
direct to the private Office of MI. Nor
gan in the banking house in Wall
street. The meeting between the
Pttsburg men and Mr.. Moragn lasted
from about II o'clock in the morning
until in the afternoon. At no time
did the confence adjourn to the En-
pi1e building, where the head offices
OF the United States Steel corporation
are located. During the conference
Presidnt C. NJ. Schwab and Jugde
e. II. Gary were present most Of the
Time. Another conferee was Mr.. Daw-
kins, one Of Mr.. Morgan's partners.
The Amalgamated officials directed
their attention almost entirely to Mr..
Morgan and President Schwab. They
went over the grounds on which the
strike began and discussed settle
ment basis. After getting the views of
the steel officials and giving theirs in
return, Mr.. Shafer and Mr.. Williams
left the Office and spent their time
away from public places, avoiding
hotels and taking their meals in
restaurants.
In explanation Of the hurried trip
that the two .ofhcres made to New
York on Friday night, it was said
that until nearly 5o'clock in the after
noon, neither of the officers knew that
they would be required to leave Pitts
burg and had made plans for entirely
different purposes. Prior to that time
Col. George B. NJ. Harvey, manager
OF Harper Bros, the publishers. of
New York, was caller at the Office
OF President Shafer. When Col. Har
Fey left the invitation to go to New
York had been extended and had been
accepted. It was positively stated
today that the meeting between the
heads of the Amalgamated association
and the United States Steel corpora.
ton was due to no other person or per-
sons than Col. Harvey and that there
were no others present at any time
before or after the visit of Col. Harvey
TO help the cause along.
1t is believed that before the end of
the week the mills will all be ready to
6e run again providing repairs are
completed that have been undertaken
since the strike began. Should the
whole project fail OF coming to an am
icable end, however. the fight promis-
es to be more bitter than ever.
FOR this reason those back of the pre-
sent negotiations are extremely anxi-
Gus to have everything as quiet as pos
sible and that nothing should be made
public regarding the basis for con-
ference until it had been accepted by
both sides.