The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-17
CENTER is SHIFTING
INTEREST IN STRIKE CONCENTRA-
TED In THE WEST.
JOLIET SWINGS INTO LINE
AND GIVES NEW HOPE TO sTRIK-
ING THOUSANDS.


Are at Flood Tide of Their Sue
cess and When Ebb Comes Moth
ing Can Stop It-TaIk of Peace Has
Been Dropped and Indications
Point to Prolonged and stubborn
Contest.
Pittsburg, Aug 1.-THE center of in
terest in the steel strike to-day shifted
to the west, where Joliet finally swung
into line with the strikers, and Mil
waukee appointed tomorrow as the
time for a final vote on the question.
The news that came out of the West
cheered the strikers throughout the dis
tricts in this vicinity as no other de-
velopment since the labor war was de-
clared. In their enthusiasm they
count upon favorable action at Milwau-
kee tomorrow and carrying their hopes
still farther, say they will yet win Chi
cago over. These successes they de-
clare with apparent confidence will
make them masters of the situation
and win the strike. The steel opera
tors on the other hand say that the
strikers are nearly at the flood tide of
their success, and when the ebb comes
it can never be stopped. They do not
seem to be disturbed by recent events,
and with a confidence equal to that
of the strikers, talk of the certainty of
ultimate success. They assert that pop
ular sentiment has never been behind
the strikers. and that the general
interest which was once arous-
ed by the contest is quickly
waning. They claim that they are
more than holding their own in the
non-union plants that were unaffected,
or have been started since the strike
began and are perfecting plans Tor
reopening several plants now idle. 'They
also claim that many of their men,
particularly at McKeesport, Wheeling
and Bellaire were forced out by intim-
idation, and will come back as soon as
the excitement dies out and their safe
ty is assured. Talk of peace has been
dropped for the time being and it is
agreed that in its present aspects the
situation indicates a prolonged and
stubborn contest.
Two hundred men employed in the
National Galvanizing Works of the
National Tube Company at McKees-
port struck to-day. They We're the
last remaining workmen in the af-
fected trades in that city, and the tie
up is now as complete as possible
there. Many of the tube workers, al
though on strike have refused to join
any union and the opinion is express
ed that there will soon be a break
among the strikers. The leaders plan
another rally for tomorrow night to
re-enthuse the men and check any
break that may be possible. They have
asked President Shaffer to go there
and speak, but he has not yet said
definitely that he would. The organ
izers are working indefatigably to keep
the men in line. They are also extend
ing their operations to Duquesne and
Homestead, the two great strongholds
of the Carnegie Company. and claim to
be gaining ground at both places. The
recent gains here and at Joliet will
bring the total number of men brought
out by the third and final call by Pres
ident Shaffer, to about 10000 and press
grand total to something over 10000
Thousands of the men out have
found other work and the exact num-
Der now idle is unknown. The ANAL
gamated Association is organizing
series of employment bureaus and
plans 10 place many more of the idle
ItlIl. IISSlucIl oldIlCI dIiuOuHCtu To-
day that after Sept. 1 idle Amalga-
mared men would receive strike bene-
fits OF four dollars a week apiece. and
that some provision would be made FOR
the men outside the organization
White non-union men are being
brought from the South to break the
strike in the steel works at Monessen.
ard it is expected that a start will be
made there the first of next week.
Shaffer's Trump Card.
A dispatch from McKeesport says:
1.-THE strikers expect the Duquesne
plant of the Carnegie Steel Company
will be out in three days. They say it
is organized and is waiting to Coop
crate with Homestead and Braddock
mills, and that this is the trump card
President Shaffer has been holding.
Trouble is expected if men are import
ed or any old men return to work"
Mav RqPon~idRr Acfi0n.