The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-08-01
CAUSES DlsMAY
AMONG STRIKERS
National Tube Works Makes Skilled
Workers Sign Non-ynion
Contracts,
PLANS TO cHEckmA1E MOVE
LaNs TO CHECKMAIE MOVE
Long Conference Held by Strike Leaders
Violence Feared IL Attempt Is afade
to Resume With Non-Union
Men.


Tube Works company, at McKeesport,
has made an unexpected move intend
ed to checkmate the Amalgamated as
ISOLATION. Its skilled workmen have
been made to sign Individual contracts
to practically repudiate any union, and
they have been given but short time
to think the matter over. 1t is under
stood that should they not sign the
contracts they will find their positions
vacant, and the ak is expected to fall
today.
1t transpired yesterday that late on
Thursday evening the 600 welders OF
the mills were paid off and then taken
into the office Of the general superin-
tendent where they were presented
With individual contracts to be signed
for at least a year. Some demurred,
while others signed the contracts.
This movement carried consterna-
ton into the ranks of the strikers. The
welders are highly skilled workmen,
and with their cooperation the big
plant might be closed down. With them
in line the plant will probably keep
on running as though nothing had hap
pened. 1t was intimated last night to
friends of the welders that they would
all sign the contracts.
Definite announcement that the of
company would start the w. Devices
Wood mill in McKeesport as non
union plant on Monday reached the
headquarters of the Amalgamated as
ISOLATION early yesterday. That the
movement would not be permitted to
be made-without & decided attempt to
check it was subsequently shown by
long and earnest conferences that took
place during the afternoon.
Violence Feared.
Pittsburg, July 29.-Mckeesport was
again the center of interest in the great
steel strike today. Intense excitement
prevailed there over the fact that many
guards had been sent into the pemmler
tin plate mills and the report that ar
rangements We're completed to start
the works with non union men Monday.
1t was said that inasmIch as the men
had struck in spite of the scale argee-
ment the company was through with
the Ama!gamated association and
be secured. Percy Bonner. manager of
the Monessen plant, known as a sue
cessful strike breaker, was in consul
tation with the Demmler people yester-
day, and is was said he was to take
charge of the MILL So ominous was the
situation this morning that Rev. Stuart
Sharp hurried to this city to beg the
tin plate company officials not to at
tempt to start the mills, as bloodshed
would surely follow.
a, The situation ct the Pewess-Wooda
when at 10 this morning the manage
ment of the works announced the in
tentlon to start the plant non union,
within a very few days, and that the
police department of McKeesport
would be looked to to protect the new
Workmen. Manager Samuel M Cooper
OF the Wood plant this morning, after
q lengthy conference with head Of
ficials Of the company in Pittsburg
made statement partly in reply to the
ed1ct issued by Mayor Black Of Nc
Keesport, Wednesday that the company
would get no assistance from the Nc
keesport police department should they
decide to start the plant. Cooper said:
Must BE Protected.
We are going to start up within the
next few days and we will look to the
authorities Of McKeesport for assist
ance. Should our men be interfere i
with we will insist on the police Of Nc
keesport doing their duty II Mayor
Black carries out the lines he has laid
down in his statement we will sue him
and the city of AIeKeesport, for the W.
Devices people are heavy taxpayers in
the city and must be protected
Last night the Wood plant was al
most deserted by the strikers pickets,
who deserted their posts and went to
Demmler. Another report that excited
the men today was to the effect that
the company had sent man or several
men to Winchester, Va. to employ ne
groes. Winchester is in the manufac-
turing district and competent men can
be had there, it is said. The belief that
they will be Bought to McKeesport to
break the strike caused considera BILE
unea siness.
1t was extremely quiet at Wellsyiile
this morning. Four mills were in oper-
alton and Manager Brookman was pre-
pairing to make good his assertion to
have the entire plant in operation Mon
day.
1t is said the men are beginning to
realize the management is in earnest
and many have notified Brookman that
they will report for duty next week.
Ice Handlers Win.
Columbus, o., July 26.-The strike Of
the union ice handlers. for a ten hour
day and pay for overtime ended this
morning in a victory for the strikers.
NAVAL APPOINTMENTS.