Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-08-29
TIE STEEL STRIKE.
0psfatses Say Tin Plate Mills VIII
n gutsrs b uea-Union.
SURE GAINS By STEEL CORPORATION.


yesterday was the positive stand
taken by the American Tin Plate com
pany in reference to its course in the
future. An official statement from
this company denies that there are
any negotiations on foot looking to
settlement Of the strike and au-
thorized the statement that mills put
into operation during the strike will
be continued non-union and all men
going to work now will be retained in
their positions. This statement will
have its effect because Of the fact
that the tin plate trade has always
been considered as among the strong
holds OF the Amalgamated and the
def appears to have been brought
about by the association declaring a
strike against the tin plate company
after the scale for the year had been
signed. Notwithstanding the fact
that the Amalgamated people claim
justification on the ground that their
constitution provides for such pro-,
cedure, the officials of the tin plate
company consider the action breach
OF trust and say that henceforth they
are determined to cut loose from
union labor entirely. The association
officials treat the threat with indiffer-
ence, their only reply being that the
company cannot carry out its plan
because nearly all of the skilled tin
workers Of the country are members
OF the association and the plants can
not be run without them. The cor
poration, however, has started sew
eral of their plants in way and
claim to have all the men necessary
within reach to operate them in full
as soon as the machinery is in proper
shape.
The developments Of the day would |
appear to evidence slow but sure
gains by the corporation. Amalga-
mated officials, however, are conf
dent of ultimate success.
The one place within this district
where the strikers have scored a vic
tory is at Irondale, o. At this place
the American Tin Plate company was
compelled to close down its recently
opened plant for lack Of men to oper-
ate It. The day was full OF excite
ment in the little village and street
fights came thick and fast for time
until the inhabitants were wrought
into a state of excitement bordering
on terror. The first fight Of the
morning took place when five non
union men left their homes and start
ed for work in the mill On the main
street of the village they were met
by party of about 80 strikers who
by moral suason tried to get them
to desist from their determination to
70 to work. When this failed
stronger argument was used and the
men were given drubbing and driven
back to their homes. The villnge had
recovered from the surprise
which this attack Occasi0ned when
word was passed around that party
Of new men were driving overland
from Wellsville. Almost all the strik-
FRS started to meet the carriages and
when they passed the mill Office, Ira
a non-union man, shout
I'd to them. This action precipitated
a fight. Manager Banfeld saved
Householder by dragging him inside y
and shutting the door with difficulty.
The tin plate company then attempt
ID to file information before Justice
Paisley, charging the strikers with
riot, hut the Justice refused to enter
lain the charge, saying he would is-
,uk warrants for those mixed in the
fights, charging assault, but no more
,erious offense. The attorney then
began the preparation Of papers TO
,sk for an injunction restraining the
strikers from interfering with the /
in any way. All the
men who have been employed in the
nil joined the Amalgamated yester-
lay except Ira Householder and James
|Indman. !
II was learned last night that Presi-
lent Shaffer has sent out letters to all I
Members Of the executive committee
# the Amalgamated association in
'iting their approval Of the peace {
,lan agreed upon last Saturday by
he representatives Of the National
,iyic federation and the Amalgamated
association Headquarters officials.