The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-21
AGAINST A STRIKE
NoNUNION IRON WORKERS LOYAL TO
THE SHEET STEEL COMPANY.
Meeting at vandergrift, Pa, mt Which
the Men of Four Plants Ex-
pressed Their Views.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS
EXPRESSING SATISFACTION WITH
WAGES AND FAIR TREATMENT,
Declaring that No Labor Union Can
Improve Their Condition, and Op-
posing One-Man Dfctation.
UNI0NISTS At KEESP0RT
MEETING IN SUPPORT OF THE ANAL
GAMATED ASSOCIATION STRIKE.
President shaffer One of the Speakers
-Manufacturers Pleased with
the General Situation.
Declaring that No Labor Union Can
Improve Their Condition, and OPP
posing One-Man Dictation.
UNI0NISTS At MKEESPORT
MEETING IN SUPPORT OF THE ANAL
GAMATED ASSOCIATION STRIKE.
President shaffer One OF the Speakers
-Manufacturers Pleased with
the General Situation.

PITTsBURG. July 20.-The first week of
III steel strike ended to-day in this dis
tricr with two big meetings, one indorsing
nonunionism. the other condemning IT, The
first vas held at Vandergrift this after
noon. where the sentiment Of the workers
OF the vandergrift Leechburg. Apollo and
Salisbury plants OF the American Sheet
Steel Company was expressed in speeches
and resolutions. More than 1850 men at
tended the gathering. Speeches were made
by prominent mill workers, indorsing nom
unionism and declaring loyalty to the COM
pany. When the speechmaking had con-
cluded tho following was adopted:
Whereas. There is at present trouble ex-
listing between the Amalgamated AssOcia-
tiOn OF Iron. Steel and Tin Workers and
the American Sheet Steel Company. which
has arisen by reason of the said association
demanding that all nonunlon mills be or
ganized into the union, which demand We
do not indorse; therefore, be IL
Resolved, BY the iron workers Of Van
dergrift. Apollo, Leechburg and Salisbury.
assembled this 2oth day of July. 1901. at
Nandergrift, Pa, that we hereby express
our loyalty 10 the managers OF the Ameri-
can Sheet Steel Company.
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 nom
union. as we have been doing since 1893
We feel that no labor union can make
our condition any better or more honor
able than II Is "a present. since We are SUBJ
5ect to no one man dictation.
I'VE also hereby heartily indorse the ac-
Ion or the business men OF Vandergrift,
Ieechburg, Salisbury. and Apollo in their
recent Endorsement of the policy of the
American Sheet Steel Company, and assure
them that our interests mutual. and
that We. workmen. will not be misled
nor do anything that will in any way inn
pair the good feeling and pleasant rela-
management of the American Sheet Steel
Company"
Before adjourning the management Of the
company was thanked for its liberality. and
the entire audience united in singing
America"
THE MKEEsPoRT MEETING.
The meeting at McKeesport was exactly
opposite to the Vandergrift gathering In
object and action. 1t was held in Whites
Opera House under the auspices of the
Amalgamated Association and was ad-
dressed by several OF the prominent Of
ncials OF the association, principal among
whom was President shaffer The hall was
crowded to the doors and there was much
enthusiasm. The audience was composed
almost wholly OF mill men, who were ap-
parently deeply interested in the proceed
!ngs.
The meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. Stewart Sharp. formerly mill
worker. The prayer was approved by sup.
pressed handclapping. After addresses
had been made by NJ. +. Tighe, assistant
secretary OF the Amalgamated Association,
and others. President Shaffer was intro
ouced and received with such noise and din
that II was several moments before he
could be heard.
Gentlemen and Fellow-citizens-I am
pleased to be with you to-day as / believe
our coming together will enhance our in
terests In the present struggle IL is not
necessary TO go into details concerning the
present strike at this time, as all work
ingmen are familiar with the cause of the
trouble. Last February the walls of
Jericho Q mean McKeesport) were falling
IN places and many OF the men who had
been employed within the walls were dis
covered organizing. Seven men were dis
charged. and fellow-workmen decided TO
stand by the discharged men. six of the
discharged men were finally reinstated in
the Wood mill, but the seventh man was
called into the mill office and told he could
not return 10 work because he had taken
such an active interest in organizing the
men employed Tn the plant. The mill off,
cials claimed he violated a contract and he
was never reinstated. Representatives of
the American Sheet Steel Company have
repeatedly told me that IL the laboring
men were all organized the assocIations
would become too strong. 1 have never
spoken OF this before. The men are now
together ''''''' - 9''"u
1T is time the Christian church arrayed
itself on the side OF organized labor Men
60 TO the polls and vote right. Away back
In the nineties Mr.. s, now of New York
witnessed the awful trouble In Homestead
and Mr.. s. OF Wellsville. had II all right
II for another year. Another official told
me there ought TO be nonunion mills in
order 10 hold the balance of power.
TIRED CHEWING BONES.
Men Of McKeesport. are you not tired
chewing bones? The trusts have not only
kicked you this time. but are fighting you
The combine has threatened 10 move the
Wood mill TO vandergrift II the men do
not return to work. but you can rest as
sured the Wood mill viii never be moved
10 Vandrgrift or any other place. The
mill officials have implored the officials OF
the Amalgamated Association 20 start the
plant. as they needed the product A re-
port is being circulated that the mill will
start or Monday with nonunion men. hut
~ never vii De- The only thing that will
start the mill VIII be the taking back OF the
old men. and long as the mon are out
the mill cannot be started There are not
SvouSn yvoufS In ISh IN the country TO start the
organized labor is bound 70 win h,,
remember. men. a peaceable and bIoodlcss
Nictory Is the best and most honorable
victory. ! would not acviss the saloons ~
be closed during the present trouble he
cause the proprictoTs OF such places havs
paid license 10 operate them. 1 advise
however 10 be careful To abstain from In
toxicating beverage To excess. TO observe
the law and commit no act OF violence tn.
mill officials, 10 is said have made The
statement that IL they start the mill they
will have protection. They may get out an
Injunction or bring soldiers TO your city
but I advise you all TO be men and law
abiding citizens. / wish they would bring
men from vandergrift and put them 10
work in the Wood mill / would be one to
help keep them there. We would soon
make union men OF them. Stay away from
the mill and conduct yourselves decorously
and the strike will soon be over
why should the combine be opposed 10
the workinsmen Organizingg Why. all