Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-01-06
Union Agitation Brings
/. Steel Mills W9gGRaiSe

For some time there has been a
persistent effort carried on by the
American Federation of Labor to
bring about organization Of the en-
ployes in the iron and steel industry.
While the spy system maintained by
the companies has prevented the open
success of the plan, Nevertheless 1t
has brought results, as is apparent
from the fact thatlthe steel companies
are all hastily announcing wage in
creases for their workmen.
The following Associated Press
kilograms of Thursda ytell the story:
New York, Jan. 6.-Because of the
prosperous condition IN the steel and
ron trade, the finance committee Of
he United States Steel corporation
acting upon the recommendations Of
he heads of it's subsidiary companies,
today, decided to increase the wages
of it's common laborers by about 10
per cent, the advance to take effect
February l. Increases also will be
made among other classes Of en-
ployes.
=. The action of the finance committee
vas embodied in the following state
nent issued from the office of Chair
nan Gilbert H. Gary:
I'm view oof the prosperous condi-
ions now existing, it was unanimously
'oted at meeting of presidents OF
,ur iron and steel companies, held to-
lay, to recommend that there should
re made adjustments of the wage
rates to take effect February l, and
at subsequent meeting OF the finance
committee, it was unanimously de-
cided to adopt the recommendation OF
the presidents. It is proposed to in
crease at the rates Of common labor,
about 10 per cent. AS to other depart
ments, increases will be eQuitably
proportional.
Adjustments In wage rates In our
mining companies are under consid-
Grafton"
The proposed increase will affect
the greater part of the corporations
force OF about 100000 men and viii
increase the annual payroll by about
Sit. QOO, 900, according to estimates by
the corporations representatives.
In 1914 the steel corporation had an
average OF 162, 400. employees on It's
rolls, as against 229, 900 in 1913. The
average daily pay in 1914 was $3.50,
an advance of cents over the aver
age of 1918. Employees Of the general
administrative and selling depart
ments averaged $2.97 per day, COM
pared with 1922 In 1913.
Especial interest attached to today's
announcement Of the wage increase
because of Judge Gary's statement ol
the previous day in which present ans
future conditions Of the steel industr:
were dealt with.
II is. believed the action of the steel
corporation will be followed by most
Of its leading competitors, including
some of the so-called independents.
=, During the past few weeks lhere
have heen rumors of labor troubles,
arising In part from differences be-
tween employers and employees over
the wage scale. Some of the smaller
companies are experiencing strike u1r-
iculties at this time.
Cleveland, O., Jan. 6.-The o'oVo
smployes in the cleveland general OF
Aces and four Cleveland district plants
Of the American Steel and Wire COM
nanv and the plant of the Amer1rf
Sheet and Tin Plate company vi
AFFECTED by a sweeping wage in r
announced by Chairman E
of the United States Steel
IN New York this after
All unskilled work
20 per cent increase an
nent says increases N
nents will be equally p
The increase will maxi Z
daily wage of unskilled
Cleveland plants of the stse-
s3,17 as the present average In.
class is 50 IS according to figures s.V'
en- out. in New York today.
In the Youngstown district 5UVo en-
ployes of the steel corporation Will be
benefted, and it is expected that the
Independent interests there will meet
the raise. 1t is also expected that the
increase will have the immediate Ell
Feet of ending strikes in two Youngs-
own plants. which have affected S,lOg
men and rendered several thousand
others idle.
JONES & LAUGHLIN
GIVES WAGE INCREASE
Pittsburgh, Pa. Jan. GA 10 to -
ner cent wage increase for 1900 TO
30 900 men, involving an annual addt-
tional outlay Of between $1,000, 600 and
81. OOO. O00 Ia TO be announced within
1 - D~~1 a.