The Evening Bulletin

WAS DONE FOR EFFECT
Sheet Steel Company Cuts Prices to
Frighten Certain Independents.

PRESIDENT SHAFFER'S VIEW OF IT.

Assessments to Be Levied Upon the
Amalgamated Iron and Steel
Workers—Status of the
Great Strike.

Pittsburg, July 2.—The second day of the strike of the sheet steel and steel hoop workers of the Amalgamated Association was without interesting or exciting features. As President Shaffer remarked, the conditions of the present strike were peculiar, and no decided results were expected for 10 days or two weeks. By that time the manufacturers having all necessary repairs at their mills completed, would be anxious to resume operations. The struggle would then begin in earnest.

The belief is quite general, however, that the real test will not come until the close of the hot weather and the general resumption of business in the early fall, and in the meantime it is thought that the conflicting interests will see their way clear to recede from the present position. That President Shaffer of the Amalgamated Association is preparing for the rainy day which may come if the strike is prolonged indefinitely, is evidenced from the circular mailed to the association lodges. The circular directs the lodges to lay assessments upon their members, the money to be used for the relief of such members of the association as might be out of work. The money collected by these assessments of the lodges will be forwarded to Pittsburg, where it will be placed in the general fund of the association.

Outside the combine plants there is little apprehension over the situation. A number of independent companies have expressed a willingness to grant the demands of the men.

The announcement that the sheet company had cut prices occasioned surprise, as it is known that all the mills have been busy and many orders remained unfilled. The heaviest cut is on No. 28, the standard gauge, which is reduced from $3.35 per 100 pounds to $3.10. The lighter gauges have been cut in price from $10 to $3 a ton. The move puzzled the Amalgamated officials, and President Shaffer said: "It has been done merely for the purpose of having an effect upon the independent sheet manufacturers who have signed our scale."

The advisory board of the Amalgamated association has not yet been called to consider the situation, but a meeting will be held soon if the American Sheet company shows no disposition to reopen negotiations. President Shaffer says the call for a conference will not come from the Amalgamated association, as the ultimatum of that organization was given at the last conference.