The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-08
Labor Leaders Believe Combine of
Steel Employees Overshadows
Former Labor Movements.
NEARLY A MILLION employees.
Proposed Organization Contem
plates Membership of s50,0O0-
Scope of the Alliance Dis
cussed by William G. Davis.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Chicago. H.. July 7.--Labcr leaders l;ox
upon the meeting to be held in Chicago this
week to form gigantic combination Of all
the workmen Of the various trades employed
by the United States Steel Corporation az
one Of the most important gatherings in tho
history of the organized labor movement In
the world.
1t is expected that the conference will re-
suit in ranging 10000 employees Of the bill
lion-dollar concern in solid phalanx to cope
effectively with the huge concentration of
capital and resources. The announcement
of the proposed meeting in Chicago of the
representatives OF the big trades organiza-
tons awakened much interest among local
labor men. They have heard talk of an al
lance Of the kindred trades employed by
the big steel corporations. but did not know
that definite steps were to be taken so soon
for the cementing of interests
Object of Alliance.
William C. Davis. vice president for the
Fourth District Of the AmaIgamated Asso-
citation Of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers of
the United States. outlined In general way
the purposes of the alliance. Mr.. Davis Is
the confidential man in this section Of j.
Shaffer. president of the Amalgamated AS.
ment.
An alliance Of some sort Of the various
kinds Of trades Is to be entered into shcrt-
ly," said Mr.. Davis. 1.-The matter was dis
cussed at the annual convention of the
Amalgamated Association In Milwaukee re-
Gently, and since that time there have
been frequent exchanges of views along
that line between the leading men in the
different trades that will DO included In the
alliance.
I'VE have gotten along finely with our
employers, not having had the slightest
trouble since 1886. but 1t Is to our interest
to organize on a scale to keep pace with the
organization Of capital. The Organizations
which 1t is hoped will Join hands have q
combined membership of $4,000 and repre-
sent every department Of the iron and steel
industry. the miners in the ore and gold
fields and the workmen in the docks and
other lines. OF these men $4,000 are em-
ployes Of the United States Steel Corpora
ton.
In combining the interests Of these vari-
Gus unions trade autonomy will not be in
terfered with. The association Of iron, steel
and tin workers and each of the other
trades will reserve its authority to make
agreements with employers independent of
other trades.
But In dealing with great concern like
action on the part Of various trades.
Scope Of Organization.
1.-THE proposed alliance will probably con-
sist in the establishment Of a central board
or council made up OF perhaps two rep
resentatives from each Of the national or in
ternational unions of trades. and this CEN
trail body will have the direction of affairs
in treating with great aggregations of
capital.
I'm whatever case decided upon In the
adjustment Of matters Of the future this
board would have the backing of the
united strength of all these trades. In thus
acting together the trades could have all
agreements begin and expire simultaneous
ly, and whenever any trade got into
trouble it could have the immediate and eff
fective assistance of all the Others"