Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-18
QUESTION Of A STRIKE
IREMBLES ON BALANCE.
MAJORITY OF PRESIDENT SHAT
FER,s ADVISORS FAVOR
STRIKE PROPOSITION.
JARRETT IS CoNcILIAT0RY.
HAS HOPES THAT H DIFFER
ENCES MAY BE ADJUSTED
WITHOUT A STRIKE.

PITTSBURG, Pa, April 17.-Chances
of a strike of all the men of the Anal
gamated Association employed in the
organized mills of the American Sheet
Steel Company and subsequently of all
the organized men of the association in
mills of tn United States Steel Cor
poration trembles in the balance to-
night. On the one hand President T.
j. Shaffer is backed up in his determin-
alton to call a general strike by a ma
jority Of the members of his advisory
board and the district vice president
and trustees, VINO were in session all
day to-day.
On the other hand there is a new
move toward Cancellation and arbitra-
ton, which may end the entire con-
troversy in Pittsburg tomorrow or
may be carried to New York to be ad-
justed by higher powers.
President #. j. Shaffer said tonight
that the outlook for settlement is bet
ter than at any time since the McKees-
port trouble started. He refused to
explain this statement.
Col. G.. Watson French, vice presi-
len of the Republic Iron and Steel
Co., visited Amalgamated headquarters
to-day in relation to matters pertain
ing to some of his own mills. He be-
came interested in Une issue against
the Sheet Steel Company and volunteer
I'd to do all in his power to avert a
struggle. He talked to the advisory
board for an hour advising concllia-
ton and arbitration.
Later it Is understood Mr.. Shafer
heard from Col. French at his home
in relation to some action he had ak
en-. Wlaen the Amalgamatea PRESIDENT
was asked to tell the nature of Co.
Frrench's message, he declared that he
had nothing to say, nor would he de-
ny that hi had received such a mes
sage.
The session of the Amalgamated ex-
ecutives to-day took no action on the
presidents proposed resolution Civ
ing him power to call out the men OF the
Sheet company and subsequently, as he
sees fit, all the men OF he new Morgan
This action is accounted
for in the absence of Vice President
John F. Ward, of Niles, Ohio, and John
Chapel, of New Castle. The meeting
adjourned until tomorrow morning,
when these officials will be present.
Much of the session to-day was taken
up in a conference with John Jarrett,
head of the labor bureau of the Sheet
Steel company. Mr.. Jarrett contended
tLof {ha RAW nod x,io1n%ol thni,. o,.na
ment of a year ago, in which they
agreed to remain at work under the
conditions then existing, the violation
being in their joining issues with the
association. The AInalgamated men
were firm in asserting that Cneir joining
of the association was not a violation
OF the agreement. The original agree
ment Will probably arrive tomorrow
from New York, and will be further
discussed by the board and Mr.. Jar
rett.
The nature of this agreement con-
Sumed in argument much of the time
OF the sessions, n on it hinges largely
a remote possibility of settlement with
out further concession by the sheet
company, or a testing OF strength Of
the industrial combine Of capital and
President Schaffer's association of the
combines skilled men. John Jarrett
asserted in the meeting and out of it
that the company had made absolutely
no effort to displace the men on strike
at McKeesport. While the company
is anxious to run the mill, it is now
seriusly woring on the line of concilia-
ton, he said.
1t was explained in the meeting that
as soon as the resolution was passed
giving Mr.. Schaffer all power in the
matter, he would address the heads of
all the constituent concerns of the
United States Steel Corporation a letter
advising them of theauthority vested in
MIN and fixing a date when all these
men Will be called to strike in the
event that the sheet steel company
has not been forced to settle either
through the Gripping of their own op-
erations or by the intercession of the
higher powers Such a communication
IN the event of the resolution passing
10 also TO go to eex-Judge e. H. Gary,
CHAIRMAN, and c. M. Schwab, president
OF the United States Steel Corpora
ton.
canvass OF all parties to the dispute
ihalcates that the declaration of a
strike VIII not take place for several
oays. Inc effort at Cancellation to be
made tomorrow will be followed bv
otners That will take time.
Al Mckeesport, tonight. while the
strikers are alert and ready to meet
any new move that may be made bv
the company, nothing resembling dis
order has occurred. The crucial test oe
the mems determination to coitinue al
ieglance to the Amalgamated will come
IN the morning at z o'clock. at which
time all employees of the ocmpanv have
been notified to report or consider
themselves discharged. The 125 knob
piers who struck yesterday, met TODAY
and agreed to remain away from the
mill, but will not decide whether or not
to join the Amalgamated Association
until tomorrow, when another meeting
will be held.
AIT l O'Clock this morning a despatch
from McKeesport says:
Up to this hour nothing unusual has
developed, but before daylight there
may be trouble.
1t Is said the company has sufficient
men 10 start the bar mill and there are
many strikers on the streets discussing
the situation. At Z O'Clock the tina AZ
lowed for the strikers to resume work