Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-24
LABOR CHIEFS CONFER
Report That a Proposition Has
Been Sent to the Steel Mag
mates Headquarters.
JOHN MITCHELL IS ONE ooNFERREE
Finish Fight. However-Op-
posing Claims.

Pittsburg. Aug. 24.-The leader says
that at the labor conference yesterday
afternoon Professor J. W. jerks, OF
the industrial commission, proposed
that some Interested person should con-
vey to c. NJ Schwab. president of the
steel corporation, the information that
a settlement might be effected provid-
ing that the Amalgamated Association
officials should sign the wage agree
ment for the mills they controlled last
year; the mills that have been organ
lied since the Milwaukee convention
to be operated on a provisional scale;
those that are fully organized to ask
for the Amalgamated wage scale and
conditions; those that desire TO stay
out of the organization to have the
privilege of doing so. Professor jerks
Will go east today and will use his
own time to see President Schwab.
The members of the conference. one
OF whom was jerks. declined to say
anything as TO what had occurred. but
one of them said that in six days there
would he change that would tell with
great effect on the trust and aid in
hurrying a final outcome.
Pittsburg. Aug. 2I.-The conference
of the labor leaders at the offices of the
Amalgamated Association yesterday
was the leading feature of the strike
during the day. The officials Of the
organization all seemed pleased with
the way things were moving, and one
of them said somewhat mysteriously:
I'm another six days YOU will see de-
cided change in the strike that will tell
with greater effect on the trust and
aid i'm hurrying the final outcome of
this struggle" Just what this change
is TO be was not said. but il was in
fcrred strongly that the coming event
hinged upon the conference that was
taking place. Two sessions were held
by the conferrees behind closed doors.
Men Who Were I'm Conference.
After the adjournment of the first
session none OF the participants would
give out any information of the pro
ceedings. further than TO say that the
leaders had been called together for
tba--IsuEp poss--ef- having the situation
thoroughly explained TO them. and TO
have some action taken looking to the
aid of the strikers morally and finan-
cially by all of the organizations rep
resented. There were present at the
conference besides the Amalgamated
officials. John Mitchell. president of
the United Mine Workers: J. w
Ralph VI. Easley. sec
retary of the National Civic Fedora
tion. and Henry NJ. White, general
secretary of the United Garment
Workers. The conference ended last
night about 81 o'clock. and the confer
rees left for their homes.
Says the Con Inference just Happened.
When President Shaffer was seen at |
his home last night he said in refer
ance to the days meeting that ii was
not n preconcerted one but lust hap
pened. President Mitchell. he said. had |
.elegraphed him that he would like TO
see him on his way home from the |
eastern coal fields. and soon after his |
arrival the other gentlemen made their
appearance. During the meeting. how
ever. the whole strike situation was |
discussed. There was nothing OF inn |
DOrtance accomplished. Shaffer said no |
had been made to submit |
I new peace proposition 10 the cOrpor
ltion or a further proposal for arbi- |
adding. however, that he did |
lot know what individual action the |
,onferrees might take in the future. |
No mention was made of the miners or |
)ther trades taking sympathetic action. |
Claim Made by the Strikers.
The strikers make the claim that |
very little actual work has been done |
by the combine in any of its plants |
since the strike began. and that what |
product ms been turned out has been |
Df an inferior character. NOtwith- |
this the steel officials declare |
themselves well pleased with the con-
iition of affairs. and say all the mills |
started are working satisfactorily and /
out good product. The post
Donement of the attempt to start the
Demmler plant of the American Tin |
plate company until next week, the Of |
1cials of the company say. was for the |
purpose OF putting the plant in perfect 1
)rder before the men started to work.
They say plenty of men will he on |
land when the time comes TO operate
he plant.
Fight IL for Non Union Plants.
Attention was called 10 n former
statement made by the officials of the
corporation. that while delays would |
occur in operating the idle
plants it would not deter the officials
rom proceeding along the same lines.
ind that they were prepared TO spend
I'll the time and money necessary to
light the union and make all of the
llants nOn-union in the end.
SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION
Conditions In the Towns Where the Fight
Il Moat EIcOroua.