The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-24
WHY STRIKE FAILED
sHAFTER SENDS OUT CIRCULAR OF
EXPLANATION.
EVERYBODY BETRAYED THEM.
SERIOUS CHARGES MADE AGAINST
OTHER LABOR LEADERS.


tion-American Federation of La
hor, Upon which They Relied.
Rendered No Assistance Whatever.
GOmpers Failed TO Keep His En-
gngement TO Meet MIR. Morgan.
Mitchell Failed to Call Ont the
Miners when the Proposition He
Had Outlined Was Rejected-AmnI-
gsmated officials Proved Traitors
and Men Worked in striking Mills.
Made the Best Compromise, Possf-
Bile, He Says.
Pittsburg, Sept. 23.-The Associated
Press has secured an advance copy of
the statement by President Shaffer of
the Anlalgamated Association, giving
a history of the late Iron, Steel and
Tin Workers strike from it's inception
and the terms of its settlement. The
circular will be mailed to all districts
at once.
In part the circular is as follows:
''We were in fairly good condition to
win without help, but looked for aid
from other labor bodies, some of which
were pledged, and to the general pub
lie. but especially relied upon the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, with which
body we have affiliated ever since it's
inception, and toward whose support
we have never failed to contribute.
"Our strike advanced, and we were
confident of winning until the news
papers deliberately and maliciously
published statements which were re-
plete with lies. Our people began
to doubt and upbraid; some,
who had been officials, deserted us,
and afterwards, like j. d. Hickey of
Milwaukee, accepted the terms of the
trust and scabbed. Hundreds who dar-
ed not sleep at home, went to other
places, and in nearly every mill the
trust tried to run were many Anal
gamated Association men from strik-
ing mills. We knew our cause would
be lost, but proceeded, feeling sure we
could win if support could be secured
for the faithful strikers. The Ameri-
can Federation gave us not one cent.
The report that financial help came
from the national lodge of Mine Work
eres is absolutely false-we received
nothing.
GOmpers and Mitchell.
"'Perceiving that lack of money loss
of public approval. desertion by hun
dreds of our own people and neglect by
other organizations would render it
impossible to gain a decisive victory,
we endeavered to save what we could.
/ arranged for Mr.. Gompers of the
A. F. OF L. to meet Mr.. Morgan to
effect a settlement. Mr.. Morgan gave
up his vacation, went to New York
and waited for Mr.. Gompers. who fall
ed to appear, nor has he since explain
ed why he neglected our interests We
were called upon at the national Office
by John Mitchell of the United Mine
Workers, Mr.. Easley of the Civic Fed
Grafton, Mr.. Henry White of the Gar
ment Workers, and Prof. jerks of the
Cornell University. These gentlemen
inquired carefully into our strike and
Mr. Mitchell stated that If we would
present a proposition, which he out
lined, he would demand accept
ance by the trust or call out
the miners, and he said he felt
sure Mr.. Sargent would call out the
trainmen to strike also. We sent the
proposition to the members of the ex-
ecutive board, which voted in favor of
the proposition"
This proposition was rejected. Then
President Shaffer says he waited for
the coal miners and railroad men 10
be called out. But they were not, and
President Shaffer settled the strike on
Sept. Ia, on the best terms he could
get, which were in substance as fol-
lows
Terms Imposed by the Trust.
The scale shall be the prices agreed
upon at Cleveland and found in the
scale book
The company reserves the right to
discharge any employe who shall. by
interference or abuse, constrain to pre-
vent another peaceably following his
avocation without reference to connec-
ton with labor organizations
Non-union mills shall be represented
as such-no attempts made to organize,
no charters granted; old charters re-
tained by men If they desire.
Individual agreements shall be made
for mills of approved character, until
they are developed, when scales shall be
made to govern
Agreed that the company shall not
hold prejudices against employees by
reason of their membership with the
Amalgamatod Association.
This agreement to remain in force
three years from July 1, 1901, but ter
minable at ninety days notice from
either party on or after Oct. l. 1902.
Mr.. Shaffer closes by saying he is
willing to resign If the members think
he is inefficient and incapable.