New-York tribune., 1901-07-24
TO TIRE THE STRIKERS OUT
APPARENT OBJECT OF THE BIG STEEL
COMBINATION
sHAFFER EXPECTED TO BREAK DOWN
MINERS NOT TO LEND A HAND.

fBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Pittsburg July 23.-Theodore Shaffer. presi-
dent of the AmaIgamated Association of Iron
Steel and Tin Plate Workers is the verge OF
breaking down from the strain ne is undergoing
II is doubtful II this will make any difference in
the strike. but the fight will be void Of some of
the brilliant incidents If he gives out. Mr.
Shaffer complained sorely to-day, and could
scarcely finish looking through his mail which
has increased greatly since the strike an
nounced. No move has been made by either side
TO terminate the struggle. and 1T looks as il the
steel companies are trying TO starve the workers
out This will be difficult the strikers have
been at work steadily for several years making
more money than ever before in the history of
the trade for the same length OF time. There
have been few. Il any, idle men since 1898. ex-
cept In few months last summer.
The Amalgamated Association is we'll fixed
financially, and has not had to appeal TO the
public for financial aid. The strikers have not
asked for benefits they are IN a position to
care for themselves for the summer months
Many unsolicited gifts are being received daily
at Amalganated headquarters. The local unions
in the small towns are receiving local financial
aid. and are caring for themselves. none having
called on the national organization for money
One feature against the strike is the quietness
with which il has been conducted This is liable
70 prove fatal, however. The public does not
appear to be interested except that the conbina-
ton has generally been condemned from the
start, and workers fear its power.
STRIKERS IN SMALL TOWNS.
Business men puzzled and do not know
which faction to side with but it is apparent
in the small towns that the Anaalgamated Asso-
station is not favored. This is evident at Wells
VIC OHIO, which is not entirely dependent on
the sheet workers, the population being COM
posed Of old residents who lived there prior 10
the building of the steel mill These consider
the strikers nuisance and the CITY officials
have warned the strikers against their interfer-
ing with men who desire 10 go to work Presi-
cent McMurtry, Of the American Sheet Steel
cc:hpany, has. through his influence broken the
st'iHe Spirit at Vandergrift, Penn. He built the
sree- fadi and founded the town, and the plant
there is the largest and most modern I'm the
woTic. X is capatie CT turning out as many
sheets a. ally half dozen other plants of the
sheet company, hence the latter is not in such
a Fad way.
II is the tinplate co-cIaay wfi:ca Is cufIerine
i'oSc lie demand for tinpiate wss never
create. and there IS scarcely Any Of the prc.
.e' Deifs ihaae at T'feseHt. Several his jobbei.;
nave contracted tor tareoes Of tiry,ste frcr
"sies as IL LOOKS as !. no tir1 1.stc I,ents VT
~ ii+NA'eAahoh lot the -Iesf tao raoEthk r..
ehost Is being made TO start AIRY CT tss t.uolss g.
Plants and 1t is almost inpossinIe to secrr.
sh'Hea men. Too many skilie: heaters and
foiiefs are required in tinplate piar. to ope--
ste even one plant, sno IL tne United State.
steel Corporation has IL give in II viii be o.
account of its inability to Conquer the ttnrla.c
workers.
MINERS NOT To HELP STELL WORKf,bf
The United States Steel Corpo, tor fs r,oyt,-
very secretly an the hgkt, and all efforts tc
learn Of its plans have failed An,aIgan,ate,.
Association officials say that thev are wei:
posted as TO the movements by IL. s,c.l co,, .
panies. but this cannot be- as they have t.,
many men picketing around the idle rlan.s
which is waste OF energy and the surest way
TO tire the and anger the persons not inf,
estee in the fight Besides. strangers deir.
business in the neighborhood OF these plants
are compelled 20 undergo scrutiny, and are
questioned about their business in auything hpt
a respectful manner. - story was started to-
DAY to the effect that coal miners in the
Monongahela Valley would aid the strikers lu
Closing dowG the steel hoop plant at Monesseu
Penn Patrick Doian, president Of the United
Mine workers, was asked about IL. He said
ernphaucaily that the miners would not inter
lere, although their sympathies are naturally
with the strikers He said he would give IL his
personal attention and make the miners keep
hands off.
were seen and asked il they would take
hand in the fight Each one declared that be
yond extending their sympathies and rinanciEf
aid, II called upon, they would not mix up IN
The fight. They seem 10 believe il unfortunate te
that President Shafer did not exhaust ali
means before ordering the strike They believe
however, that the strikers have the best Of the
Fight TO date.