The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-03
THE STEEL MEN DENY 1T
Efforts of Burns Seem About to Bear
Fruit.
A TALK WITH SCHWAB OVER THE PHONE
The Executive Committee Of The Amalgamatee
Association May be Called Together
Tuesday to Make Arrange
ment 10 End Strike.
ment TO End Strike.
(By the Associated Press.)


Pittsburg, Pa, aug. s1.-The steel
strikers are claiming tonight the biggest
victory since the fight began in the clos
ing down of the open hearth department
of the Duquesne Steel Works. The Anal
gamated people claim that the open
hearth men have struck and the entire
plant will have to close down when the
men fail to return Sunday night for work.
The Carnegie Steel people make light OF
the matter and say the close down OF
the open hearth department today was
merely the usual Saturday afternoon
close, and maintain that the men will be
on hand for work Sunday as heretofore
and no stoppage will result They claim
the trouble at the plant Friday night has
been exaggerated very much, that in
stead of large number of men having
quit work only few boys were escorted
from the mill by policemen and the places
of the elected were filled at once.
Until tomorrow night it will not be
known certainly which side is right in
it's conference.-the Amalgamated people
claim to be able to tie up the plant, and
the steel company say they will resume
Z without anw material inconvenience.
Aside from the Duquesne incident, the
reported conference by long distance tele-
phone between President Schwab, of the
steel corporation, and Simon Burns,
President Of the Window Glass Workers
Association, was the only other happen
ing to cause comment. 1t seems that the
two gentlemen really communicated with
each other by phone, but what the sub
ject or result was is not known. Mr..
Burns is mysteriously silent and says
he can say nothing just yet.
1t is learned from another source that
during the extended wire conversation,
Mr.. Schwab told Mr.. Burns that he would
not consent to meet any representatives
of the Amalgamated Association until all
mills of the United States Steel Corpora
ton thrown idle by the order of
President Shaffer are put in operation
again by the former employees of the cor
poration returning to their work. He
told Mr.. Burns, it is said that the
striking members of the Amalgamated
Association are no longer employees OF
the United States Steel Corporation.
Hence there is no reason why he should
meet any representative Of the associa-
tion. But # they voluntarily re-enter
the employ of the corporation, it is said
Mr. Schwab is willing to listen to any
grievance they may desire to lay before
him with reference to their work and
wages. And it is further intimated that
he will consent to allow these grievances
to be submitted by the officers of their
union. Mr.. Burns called on Mr.. Shaffer
this afternoon. He refused to state what
passed at the conference, but he is hope
full that President Schwab will accord
him an interview to discuss terms of
strike settlement. The feature of the
proposal which, it is said, impresses the
President Of the Steel combination, is
putting men back to work and then adj
justing any differences.
The Steel Corporation today continued
to add to it's number of men at work in
several of the Plants that have resumed
since the strike began, but the Amalga-
mated people insist that the additions are
of no value and that the strike situation
remains without change.
Neither side to the controversy expects
much to develop until after Labor Day
outside of the Duquesne probabilities.
After Monday, however, it is probable
decided and effective moves will be made
by each.
1t is learned tonight from reliable au-
thority, in spite of the great secrec,
maintained by Messrs. Burns ami Shat
fe;' concerning the telephone converse tior
between President Schwab ana President
Burns that something decisive may result
1t is said that President Schwab declined
to have any conference with PRESIDENT
t. J. Shaffer, of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation, on the ground that he no longer
represents any Of the Ilen employed BY
the corporation All union men have left
the employ of the company. If the stee
workers return to work at once and the
mills resume operations in full, the whole
matter is said to assume different as
pect and discussion between the officials
of the trust and the Amalgamated Off
Gals can take place.
Immediately after this conversation Mr.
Burns went to President Shaffer and
urged him to call meeting of the execu-
tive board of the organization at once sc
that the men could be ordered to work
at the earliest moment possible. 1t is
understood that this order will be is
sued not later than Tuesday and would
have been issued before then had it Deer
possible to get the executive committee
of the organization together.