The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-18
FUEL TO The FLAME
OF THE LABOR WAR
Fresh Hope Impaired by Ac-
ton at Joliet.
MILWAUKEE VOTESTOOAY
Strikers Are Confident the Men Will
Come Out.
AND BELIEVE CHICAGO WILL fellow
They Talk Now Of the Certainty of vi innate
Success. More Men Strike at McKeespori.
Many Of the Strikers Find Other
Employment.
AND BELIEVE CHICAGO WILL fellow
(By the Associated Press.)

,Pittsburg, Pa, Aug. 16.--The center of
interest in the steel strike today shifted
to the West, where Joliet finally swung
into line with the strikers, and Milwaukee
appointed tomorrow as the time for a
final vote on the question.
The news that came out of the West
eheered the strikers throughout the dis
tricts in this vicinity as no other de-
velopment since the labor war was de-
clared. In their enthusiasm they count
upon favorable action at Milwaukee to-
morrow and carrying their hopes still
farther say that they will yet win Chi
cago over. These successes they declare,
with apparent confidence will make them
masters of the situation and win the
strike.
The steel operators on the other hand
say that the strikers are nearly at the
food tide Of their success. and when the
ebb comes it can never be stopped. They
do not seem to be disturbed by recent
events, and with a confidence equal to
that of the strikers talk of the certainty
of ultimate success. They assert that
popular sentiment has never been behind
the strikers. and that the general in
tcltSt WHICH WAS once dTOuSeu Dy the
contest, is quickly waning. They claim
that they are more than holding their
own in the non-unon plants that were
unaffected or have been started since the
strike began and are perfecting plans for
re-opening several plants now idle. They
also claim that many of their men, par
ticularly at McKeesport, Wheeling and
Bellaire were forced out by intimidation,
and will come back as soon as this senti-
ment dies out and their safety is assured.
Talk of peace has been dropped for the
time being and it is agreed that in its
present aspects the situation indicates
a prolonged and stubborn contest.
Two hundred men employed in the ma
tonal galyanizing works of the National
Tube Company at McKcesport struck to-
day. They were the last remaining wof4-
men in the affected trades in that city
and the tie-up is now as complete as pos
sible there Many of the tube workers
although on strike, have refused to join
any union. and the opinion is expressed
that there will soon be break among the
strikers. The leaders plan another rally
for tomorrow night to re-enthuse the
men and check any break that may be
possible.
They have asked President Shaffer to go
there and speak but he has not yet said
definitely that he would. The organizers
are working i, defatigably to keep the
men in line. Iney are also extending
theiy operations to Duquesne and Home
stead, the two great stronghOds of the
Carnegie Company, and claim to be gain
ing ground at both places.
The recent gains here and at Joliet will
bring the total number OF men brought
ont by the third and final call by Presi-
dent Shaifcr to about 10000, and press
the grand total TO something over 10000
Thousands of the men cut have found
other work, and the exact number now
idle is unknown. The Amalgamated AS
sociation is organizing a series of en-
iployment bureaus and plans to place
many more of the idle men, President
Shaffer announced today that after Sep
TENDER idle Amagamated men would re-
ceive strike benefits of $4 a week apiece
and that some provision would be made
for men outside the organization.
White non-union men are being
brought from the South to break the
strike in the steel works at Monessen,
and it is expected that a start will be
made there The first of the week.
A dispatch from McKeesport says:
"The strikers expect the Duquesne
plant of the Carnegie Steel Company will
be out in three days They say it is or
ganiZed and is waiting to cooperate with
the Homestead and Braddock mills, and
that this is the trump card President
Shaffer has been holding. Trouble is ex-
pected if men are imported or any old
men return TO work.