The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-21
UNION VS. NON-UNION
WORKINGMEN DIFFER ON IMPOR-
TANT QUESTION.
OPPOSING MEETINGS HELD.
NoN-UNION MEN DECLARE LOYALTY
TO COMPANY.

the Highest Terms-At MckeespOrt
President ShaTer Addressed "A
Large Crowd, Advocating Organ
izatiOn hut COunseIing Peace and
Good COnduct-Stril<ers Deny That
They Will ForcibIy Oppose Oper-
alton of Wood Mill.
Pittsburg, July 20.-The first week
of the steel strike ended to-day in this
district with two big meetings, one en-
dorsipg non-unionism, the other con-
demning it. The first was held at Van
dergrift this afternoon where the SEN
timent of the workers of the Wander
grift, Leechburg, Apolla and Salisbury
plants of the American Sheet Steel
Company was expressed in speeches
and resolutions. More than 1900 men
attended the gathering. Speeches were
made by prominent mill workers en-
dorsing non-unionism and declaring
loyalty to the company. When the
speechmaking had concluded the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, there is, at present, trou-
bic existing between the Amalgamated
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers and the American Sheet Steel
Company, which has arisen by reason
of the said association demanding that
all non-union mills be organized into
the union, which demand we do not en-
dorse; therefore be it
Resolved, by the iron workers of
Vandergrift, Apollo, Leechburg and
Salisbury, assembled this goth day of
July, 1901, at Vandergrift. Pa, That
we hereby express our loyalty to the
managers of the American Sheet Steel
Company.
Fair Treatment and Good Wages.
During the years we have worked
for said company we have received
only the fairest treatment at their
hands; our wages have been entirely
satisfactory, and we ask that we be
permitted to work non-union, as we
have been doing since 1898.
I'VE feel that no labor union can
make our condition any better or more
honorable than it is at present, since
we are subject to no one mans dlcta-
ton.
eve hereby heartily indorse the ac-
ton of the business men of Wander
grift, Leechburg, Salisbury and Apollo
in their recent Endorsement of the poll
icy of the American Sheet Steel Com
pany and assure them that our inter-
ests are mutual, and that we as work
men will not be misled. nor do any
thing that will in any way impair the
good feeling and pleasant relations that
have existed between us and the man
agement of the steel company"
Before adjournment the management
of the company was thanked for its
liberality and the entire audience unit
ed in singing America"
The McINeespOrt Meeting.
The meeting at McKeesport was OPP
posite to the Vandergrift gathering in
it's object and action. 1t was held in
Whites opera house under the auspices
of the Amalgamated Association and
was addressed by several of the prom
inent officials of the association, prin-
cipal among whom was President
Shaffer. The hall was crowded and
much enthusiasm was evinced.
President Shafer's Address.
wholly of mill men who were appar-
entity deeply interested in the proceed
ings. President Shaffer was introduced
and said in part:
81 believe our coming together will
enhance our interests in the present
struggle. Are there any person or per-
sons in the audience who have been
sent here as spies for the bosses?
If there are will they please stand up?
Why, a sneak is naturally liar and he
ought to keep his paper and pencil
handy. | know exactly what | am
talking about.
Representatives of the American
Sheet Steel Company have repeatedly
told me that if the laboring men were
all organized the associations would be-
come too strong. ] have never spoken
of this before. The men are now put
on a strike and l advise them to stand
together 1t is time the Christian
church arrayed itself on the side of the
organized. Men, go to the polls and
vote right. Away back in the nineties
a Mr.. S., now of New 1Prk, witnessed
the awful struggle in I$bmestead, and
a Mr.. S., of Wellsville, had it all right
during one year. but is not willing to
try 1t for another year. Another Of
fetal told me there oughet to be nom
union mills in the balance of power.
Men of McKeesport, are you not tired
chewing bones? The trusts have not
only kicked you this time. but are fight
ing you. A report is being circulated
that the mill will start Monday with
non-union men, but it never will be.
The only thing which will start the
mill will be taking back of the old men,
and as long as the men are out the
mill cannot be started.
A BIoOdIess Victory the best.
"Organized labor is bound to win, but
remember, men. a peaceable and blood
less victory is the best and most hon
orable victory. / would not advise the
saloons 10 be closed during the present
trouble. because the proprietors OF such
places have paid a license 10 operate
them. ! advise, however, to be careful
10 abstain from intoxicating beverages
10 excess, to observe the law and com
init no act Of violence. The mill Off
cials. IL Is said. have made the state
nent that II they start the mill they
will have protection. They may get
out an Injunction or bring soldiers 20
YOUR city, but ! advise you all 10 be
men and law-abiding citizens. wish
they would bring men from Wander
gnft and put them 10 work IN Wood n
milf 1 would be- one 10 help keep them
there. We would soon make union
men ont of them. Stay away from the
mill and conduct yourselves dccOr0usiy
ana gentlemanly. and the strike Will
soon be- over"
VIII Bs No violence.
Many stories have BEEN put into cir
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