The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-11-14
LAUGHLIN HOT MILL MEN MAKE
FIRST BIG BREAK IN STRIKE
RANKS.
Hugus says Half Of Mills Will Start
As Soon AS Fuel Is Secured.

Striking employees OF the Aetna Stand
ard works at Martins Ferry. OF the AM
erican Sheet * Tin Plate company, VIII
meet in Actnvillc this morning.
1t is said that the purpose Of the
meeting is to take a vote upon pro-
position as to whether or not the en-
ploycs will return to work.
Tho outcome Of this meeting will be
awaited with keen interest, due 10 the
fact that hot mill employees Of the Lugh-
lin mill of the same company broke from
the strikers ranks yesterday and voted
to return to work
A number Of Aetna Standard men wcre
heard to say last night that they be-
licvc the employees Of that plant Will
, vote to go back - their Jobs.
First Big Break.
The first break in the ranks Of the
steel and iron workers in the Wheeling
district came yesterday morning when
between ESQ and 500 hot mill workers
from the Lavghlin plant Of the American
Sheet and Tin, Plate company at Martins
Ferry voted to return to work after be-
ing out for eight weeks. The men were
called into conference At 10 a. m. yestcr-
day and of the number present over zoo
signified their desire Of returning 10
: work. This number increased slightly
during the day.
Reports from the different sides diff
fer greatly both in regard to tn" num-
Der of men out and as to the aftcct II
will have upon the general situation.
Reports from the mill officials arc 10
! the affect that the company Will have
men enough to start half of tho mills
as soon as fuel is obtainahlc: while re-
norts from the strike headquarters state
all 80 ~, obi n
unless members of other trades decide 10
| return.
In discussing the situation. W. I.
! Hurus. supcrint cndcnt of the plant.
said:
1--WE cxpcct.to start about half OF the
mills as soon as the coal situation clears
up and VIC can obtain fuel As the COM
! pany owns its own mines We expect no
difficulty along this line" Tn" numb"r
! of men who have thus far siGnificd their
: intentions of returning To their jobs Will
probably increase steadily from now TN
I and I think that the entire hot mill VIII
! be running within n short time.
I Mr.. Hugus refused to make any state
mont upon the probable action or the
! other branches of the plant. As yet there
! ia no knowledge Of any action on the
: part Of the machinists. electricians or
! engineers who are connected with the
/ Laughlin plant. Mr.. Hugus further
/ stated:
The men agreed 70 go back 10 WORK
under the same conditions ms prevailed
before the general Strik" was called
There will he no discrimination against
them in any way. and they will be per
mitted to retain their old jobs as far as
possible"
Peters Statement.
When asked to make statement or
tho meeting of the Laughlin hot mil
men. Jack Peters. local secretary OF th'
iron and steel workers. said. Th" no.
mill men were called into conference BY
the company officials and few Of then
signed up. do not believe THAT I'M
number will exceed 200. Further l be
licvc that the greater part or this mum
her will hack out before they have bccI
in the mill very long. The strikers II
Martins Ferry arc contemplating holdlnf
q meeting soon, planning to tax" some
l action in the matter. Just what VIII 10
done do not feel nj liberty I" discuss
7 think that ! can safely say that the ac
ton Of the hot mill men Will nave ut
definite effect as the engineers machlh
lists and electricians arc taking no ACTOR
on returning to work. without thes'
men the mill cannot work.