New-York tribune., 1901-08-15
iSHAFFER VISITS WHEELING.
THREATS TO WESTERN NON-sTRIKERS
ENCOURAGING HIS FOLLOWERS.

Wheeling, w Va Aug 14--President Shaffer
Of the AmaIgamated Association arrived in this
city shortly before noon to-day. He was re-
ceiyed by large crowd. which cheered Justify
when he appeared on the car steps. The local
unions paraded and escorted him through the
streets. Before going 10 the State fair grounds.
where a big demonstration was held, he made
the following statement as 10 the Western men
who refused to strike:
II they do not come out they are non-union.
IT is a mystery why they did not obey the strike
order from the start and the only explanation
can think Of is that given yesterday at Pitts
burg by Mr.. Adams, the Illinois deputy. who
told me the men had wanted an extension Of
time in which to strike. Adams says they had
been led to believe that extension would be
granted. We have instructed MI Tighe to call
out these men at once, and in the event OF their
refusal their charters Will be declared forfeited
] know these men, and ] am confident they will
now agree to come out with US in this fight The
skilled men are organized, and enough will strike
10 greatly cripple the production OF the Western
mills. We may not bring about a, total suspen-
sion such is seen here in the Wheeling dis
trict, which, by the way, is the banner district
OF the entire steel country but we will do what
We anticipated at the start or I am greatly mis-
taken in Mr.. Tighes ability to present the mat
ter in its proper light to the Western men.
Taking the strike as a whole. we are making
gains everywhere every day. Our membership
is increasing at a rapid rate, and many non
union mills, where we have never before been
able 10 secure a foothold, are now organized or
organized. know OF others that will soon take
the same action, although, Of course, ! cannot
20 into details on that score.
URGES MEN TO STAND FIRM
At the meeting at the State Fair Grounds
President Shafer spoke in part as follows:
It has been said that this is not alone fight
OF the Analgamated Association That is true
Even to-day in Wheeling / approached by
a committee Of the clothing workers union, and
given assurances that they were with and
would extend both moral and financial aid.
We realize also that the glass workers are with
US together with the trainmen and, of course,
the coal miner is with I want to say TO the
representatives Of the various trades the Anal
gamated Association needs your moral and
financial assistance. We do not ask you TO dis
obey your own leaders or violate the law Of your
organizations. l have received letters from
many subordinate locals Of other unions, saying:
word
We don't want you 10 DO that Obey the
directions Of your own leaders; see that your
laws are preserved inviolate I believe the time
is coming il this defensive movement when, If
necessary. your leaders will unite with the
Amalgamated Associate stospreserve all labor
organizations from the ryranny of trusts. When
your leaders say Come out there will be such
coming out as VIII make wall street treFnole'
and cause those whom we have enriched TO
tremble behind their piled up millions (Ap-
plause)
themselves TO merit the approval we have al
ready received and win the encouragement and
support OF church ana state Wn5L say may
not be received with favor, but right is right
This is a time when mems blood bols with in
oignatiOn and hands are clenched in anger, but
THIS is no time fer angry words or overt deeds
If organized labor by observance Of the law
can win peaceful victory. IL viii be the grand
est achievement known to the annals Of the
world. Hence I ask you TO be careful. Be law
sliding, but be determined. The trust cannot
run the mills without you There is not enough
Skilled labor left 10 make more millions for
these men who have centralized capital. They
nave said. Don't you dare 10 initiate our ex-
ample Well, you have dared. Now he stead
tsSt and true; don't yield an incn; stand firm in
the position you have taken Ny opinion is that
YOU viii win. l know f the mel; who are now
Uot stay out the victory is sure and certain.
NApplause)
Al the mills ever run you viii run them. You
may as Well enjoy a summer vacation and
nlaKe up your minds that when the mills
run again you viii run them right
PRESIDENT Shaffer closed with plea for the
somlssion Of negroes TO membership in the
Amagamated