NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 192, 21 August 1901, Page 2

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

LABOR TROUBLES IN AMERICA

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

San Francisco, Aug. 1. Business at this port is suffering from a scries of strikes which have assured serious and most threatening proportions. The latest feature is the calling out of the men of Waterfront Federation because of the sympathy with the brotherhood of Teamsters, who were already out. The mem-

bership of the City Front Federation is estimated to be sixteen thousand men, and these were called out by the adoption of a resolution at a meeting on the evening of the 29th. The resolution follows that the full membership of the City Front Federa-

ion refuses to work at the docks of San Francisco, Oakland, l'ort Costa, and Mission Hock steamers. The Bonita and Wall a Walla, with mail and passengers, now in the stream, will he allowed to go to sea. Every delegate present at the meeting voted in favor of the strike. The result is a temporary embarrassment of shipping at San Francisco, such as has never been known before. The federation had made threats, and its action was not altogether unlooked for. In connection with the teamsters’ strike, it calls out about twenty thousand men, and twenty thousand more are idle in consequence of the strike, though not concerned in it. News of the strike was greeted with cheers at headquarters of various unions interested. The police have taken extraordinary measures in preparation for this strike, and the department is confident of being able to maintain peace, despite the danger of having idle so large _ a

body of men in Waterfront district. It "is declared that there will bo

no serious danger of a coal famine for some time. Fruitgrowers will be the sufferers, as it wiii be impossible to ship any more fruits in large lots at present. The Municipal League made a great effort to conciliate the employers and employees, hut with no effect. All the conferences with regard to tho ending of the great strike of steel-workers have thus far resulted in failure and disappointment. The National Officers of Amalgamated Association of Workers met in New York on

I nly ‘29th and arranged peace proposals, ,vhieh it was expected would be acceptable ;o both parties. The Executive Board of ;ho Association met at Pittsburg on J ...y 30th and failed to ratify the plan which had been agreed upon by the officials and Messrs Morgan, Schwabe, and Gardy, representing the United States Steel Corporation. The opening of the Union mills to non-union men is the point on which an agreement cannot be reached. The long-distance telephone between New York and l’ittsbmg was used repeatedly in the attempt to sccuie modification of the plan proposed by the United States Steel Corporation, but uselessly. The workmen claim that the acceptance of this clause would give the mill-owners full opportunity to crush the union worlcmeu without a strike, by finding excuses to discharge union workmen and filling their places with non-unionists. Another point of contention is said to bo tho retention in their present position of men who worked as “strike breakers” at the various mills during tho strike. It is said that these have all been promised the full protection of tho manufacturers in case of settlement, and the owners will not agree to their dismissal at the request of the organisation. The workers, it is said, are willing to declare the mills now working non-union men open mills, but object to having all the mills of the combination declared open mills. It is further declared on good authority that the real cause of tho failure to cii'ect a settlement is that there are two pronounced elements to be found. One is made up of the Executive Board of the Amalgamated Association, a Conservative force headed by President Shcffcr, Secretary Williams, Trustee John Morgan, and some of tho older and more experienced leaders are understood to look with favor upon the propositions submitted. On their face they say these may not appear to be as complete a vindication of the workers as was hoped for. But the possibilities for extending the inlluences of tlic amalgamated association through the mills of tho corporation are manifold. The more radical element, largely made up of aggressive and younger men, is understood to be anxious to hold out for more favorable terms. Tho controversy between members of tho board, though casually conducted, is said to he most difficult of adjustment. Tho conservatives will hold matters back, in the hope that time for rctlcction may teach tho radicals the wisdom of accepting a compromise. It may bo stated that tho cause of tho strike was actually the effort of the Carnegie Steel Company to run its mills half union and half non-union for the coming year, after which it was intended to work all mills on the union, including those which have recently been absorbed. The Carnegie mills have not employed union labor since IS9'2, at the time of tho great strike, while the National Company and American Steel Company recently absorbed have always employed union labor. At Pittsburg, the strike centre, it is felt that neither of the contending forces has suffered severely so far. The weather has been exceedingly hot, and the men look upon the last month of idleness as a needed vacation which has saved many lives. The figures show that the strike lias caused in money a loss of six and a-haif million dollars, the larger half of which is loss to tho combine. The loss will soon be made up, owing to increased prices and improved operating conditions. INSULTING THE KAISER’S FLAG. A despatcli from New York says that tho little South American republic of Columbia has insulted the Hag of the Kaiser of Germany, and serious international complications may follow. Tho Hamburg-Ainerican line steamer Allegheny was held for twelve hours in tho harbor of Savanilla, Columbia, and in spite of the protests of her captain, Abel Murrillo, an insurgent, was taken from the ship. The German flag, with which he sought to protect himself, was torn from his hands as a “ dirty rag,” ‘and ho was taken by force to prison. Murrillo was secretary to General Uriba, the insurgent leader. When the vessel arrived at Cartagena, she was ordered to bo detained by the authorities there. The captain protested that he was sailing under the German flag, and no official of Columbia had a right to stop the vessel for any purpose whatever. According to a signed statement by three of the Allegheny’s passengers, Murrillo left tho United States about four months ago on a passport signed by the Columbian Minister at Washington. On arrival at Savanilla, lie was arrested, and taken to Bogota, where ho was released on the understanding that he would sail on first vessel for tho United States. This he did, boarding the vessel at Savanilla. He expressed fears that he would be arrested at Cartagena, and when he arrived at that port ho refused to go ashore when word was brought that the Governor wished to see him. Murrillo’s errand to Columbia was to carry a peace manifesto from General Uriba. It was necessary for some one to go in order to show authenticity of the document and Murrillo undertook the duty. Feeling was vory bitter against him, and it is presumed he will be imprisoned in an old Spanish prison at Cartagena, which is below the level of the sea, and unwholesome. The matter has been laid before the German Government, but it is not yet known what action will be taken, if any, in the ease. I V GERMAN BOOM. !

Despatches from Berlin state that the weekly Financial Reviews read like “ confessions of national sin." The press is horrified at the disclosures of mismanagement and worse in the conduct of commercial concerns of high credit. Very largo peculations took place during the period of the late speculative boom in Germany, and it appears that the careful supervision of private affairs carried on by the paternal Government of Germany is not more effective in preventing dishonesty than the scrutiny of creditors to which other people trust. It is likely, however, that the German method of punishing those who have practised dishonest methods of becoming rich will be sure and severe, and may act as a deterrent example, which is needed in other lands quite as much as in the one where it will be shown. THE MAD MULLAH. A despatch from Aden, Arabia, says that in the fight between the Mad Mullah

ami the British, on July loth, the former was routed, leaving 70 killed. The British casualties were Lieutenant Frederick and 12 men killed, and Lieutenant Dixon and 12 wounded. It appears that trouble has been brewing for a long time in the inte r rior of the Somali country, on the coast, where the influence of Colonel Hayes Sadler. British Consul, extends. The natives arc friendly, but the inland power of the British officials is small. The expedition was long necessary, but was doI laved because of Britain's hands being full in South Africa, and it dually had to be made up of native troops, under Colonel Swayno and British officers. The expedition’s objective, which is not stated, ts undertaken amid great dangors and difficulties. PACIFIC CABLE. A despatch from London, dated July 15th, says that in the llonsc of Commons to-day the Financial Secretary of the Treasury, relating to tho progress of the Pacific cable, said several sectional cable houses had already been constructed and sent out, and were being erected at various places. The survey had been practically completed over one hundred miles of tho proposed route, and the manufacture of tho cable would begin this week. Mr Cluuuberlniu said that landing sites had been selected on the coasts of Queensland, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and \ ancouver, and the Cable Board was satisfied as to the ability of the contractors to complete the work by the end of 1902.