Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 August 1901 — STRIKE IS ORDERED. [ARTICLE]

STRIKE IS ORDERED.

STEEL f MEN BIDDEN TO STOP WORK IN MILLS. President Sl.nffer Senda Out Call-A Gigantic Rattle with Powerful Monopoly la Expected to Result—'Thousands of Employes to BeKendered Idle President Chaffer of the Amalgamated Association has issued the long-talked-of general strike order. Up to this time • it has been merely a skirmish, each side trying to find the vulnerable spot in the other’s arms. Now it is different. The die is cast. The battle of the giants is on in earnest, whether to ignominious defeat of oue side or the other or compromise remains to be seen. What the result will be no man can foretell, hut judging by the expressed determination of both i parties to the controversy the battle will be waged fast and furiously. Much ! money will be lost, thousands upon thousands of men will be Idle, great suffering is looked for, even bloodshed and death are possible and feared. Estimating conservatively, the Amnlga--1 mated association directly should have about 100,000 men on strike as soon as the order takes effect, counting those now out and those expected to go out. The number of men to be affected by sympathetic strike cannot even be guessed at. The steel trust employs 400,000 men alone and most of these will -be affected, for they cannot work when the skilled Amalgamated men are not at work. President f-haffer’a Order. "The officials of the United Htates Steel Trust have refused to recognize our union men—those who are now striking for the right to organize. “The executive board has authorized me to issue a call upon all Amalgamated and other union men, in name and heart, to join in the movement to fight for labor’s bight. We must fight or give up forever our personal liberty. “You will be told that you have signed contracts. You never agreed to surrender those contracts to the United States Steel Corporation. Its officers think you were sold to them, just as the mills were, contracts and all. j “Remember, before you agreed to this contract you took an obligation to the Amalgamated Association. It now calls you to help iu this hour of need. "Unless the trouble is settled on or'before Saturday, the mills, will close when the last turn is made on that day. “Brethren, this is the call to preserve our organization. We trust you and need you. Couie aud help us, and may the right come to the just cause. Fraternally yours, T. J. SHAFFER, "President.”