The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-05

ing on MS Judgment DaSeu on lnlOrInd-
tion of others whom he looks to- 1 am
aware that there is a hidden influence
in the corporate body of the United
States Steel Corporation that has been
working against us. What l mean Is
that it is hidden to the public, but not
to us. We are fully aware of the To-
cation of our enemies. We went to
New York wanting peace. We did
everything that we knew how to bring
about peace honorably. In every effort
we failed. We can do no more than
fight for our existence until either the
trust asks for another conference or
we are extirpated."
Secretary Williams was not disposed
to discuss the situation at such great
length as his chief. He did have this
to say, however:
"All possibility of settlement of this
difficulty appears to be at an end.
'We carefully considered the propo-
sition of the trust. 1t was decided that
the terms were such that we could not
accept. To accept would have meant
practically the disruption of our or
ganization. We could not have agreed
and returned to face the men we rep
resented
1T is now a case of fight. think the
contest will be the greatest industrial
battle the world has ever known. 1 am
the victory"
Refusal Only Alternative.
"As anxious as the members of the
executive board of the Amalgamated
Association were to settle the present
steel workers strike, their refusal to
accept the terms of Mr. Morgan was
the only alternative left them with the
last moment. From the association side
to have agreed to the proposition that
would have declared all of the hoop
combine mills now idle as non-union
would have meant the desertion of the
| thousands of workmen who were em-
ployed in them and who organized and
| came out on strike since the trouble
began. To have deserted these men now
| would have been the death blow of the
| organization and it would have died in
| dishonor. To fight the trust in an hon
| orable battle with a good chance to
win, means at least a chance for life,
but If beaten, a demise of the Anal
| Gamated Association with honor"
This was the explanation of Vice
President Reese of the Amalgamated
| Association, who returned from New
York to-day after attending the con-
ference there with the officials of the
| United States Steel Corporation
| Concerning the actual strike status
| in this city, there seems to be little
! or no change. The mills on strike are
! still idle, with no indication of an at
| tempt by the combine to start any Of
the plants. No fires are being started
| and the only evidence of work about
any of the plants is that of men max
ing necessary repairs. There seems to
| be no concern among the strik' at
the failure of the late conference, and
| all seen believe the men will stand by
the association to the end.
| Gaining at MckeespOrt.
| From McKeesport this announcement
| is made tonight:
"The Amalgamated Association is
rapidly gaining strength in McKees-
port and it is estimated that they ad-
ded at least two hundred new members
| to it's forces at two meetings held this
| afternoon.
"The strikers last night were claim
| ing that everything was coming their
| way and that If general strike order
| is issued the National Tube Company
| will be unable to turn a wheel and that
they would have between 5000 and TO-
900 more men out. The business men
| of McKeesport are greatly depressed
| by the situation and they fear if a gen.
| eral order is issued from strike head
| quarters that their business will be
nearly ruined, at least for the time be-
| ing, as about $4,000 men would be
! idle
Restive at WeIIsvi7Ie.
| The report from Wellsville, O., is that
| the strikers are in a very reStive mood
| tonight. The arrest of eight of their
number and the fact that warrants are
| in the possession of the police for nine
more, who are at present in hiding in
| the camps across the river, in West
| Virginia, has put them in anything but
an amicable frame of mind toward the
| authorities and the steel company.
| -Four of the strikers are still in JAIL
while Organizer George Evans, Frank
Adams and William and Elmer Moore
have been released on bail furnished by
| friends of the men.
There is a feeling of unrest among
| the operative potters of East Liverpool
and Wellsville, and the owners of the
plants are fearful lest they come out in
sympathy with the steel workers. There
are 5000 operatives in the potteries in
| the two towns.
SHAFFER AT WASHINGTON.