Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-08-15
no AID SAlFEERlN FIGHT.
President Gompers Issues a State
lnent Pledging Support Of
Federation Of Labor.
REFUSES TO TALK BUT SAYS NE WILL ACT

The Executive Board Of the United
Mine Workers Of AnaeHica Enaorses
Action Of AnalganaateA Associa.
tion and Pledges Support-Men ut
Riverside Iron Works strike.
Washington, Aug. 12.-President
Gompers and Secretary Frank Nor
rison, of the American Federation of
Labor, returned Saturday from Pitts
burgh, where they were in conference
with President Shaffer and others in
the steel strike. Mr.. Gompers declined
to discuss the strike situation or plans
at this time. He said that the state
ment he gave out at Pittsburgh Friday
covered the ground and that he had
nothing to add to.it. The statement
referred to is as follows:
''Since the arrival of Secretary Morrison.
Of the American Federation of Labor, and
myself, we have been in almost continual
conference with the advisory board Of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron. Steel
and Tin Workers. We made thorough
investigation of the present strike, of Its
members, formerly in the employ of the
United States Steel corporation and its
constituent branches; the cause which led
to the strike; the present situation OF the
country. and we unhesitatingly declare
our judgment that the position of the
Amalgamated association is absolutely
justified and essential to its continuance
and effectiveness as a union of the workers
in the trade. as well as the protector of
the rights and interests of its members.
ut is true that the Ahalgamated asso-
citation in the first conferences asked that
the United States Steel company sign the
union scale Of wages for all the mills oper-
ated. owned and controlled by that COM
pany. but 1t Is also true that the request
was withdrawn and one substituted so
that the union scale should apply to those
mills only in which the members Of the
Amalgamated association are employed;
in other words, which are we'll known to
be union mills. This the United States
Steel company refused to concede, insist
ing that the scale should apply only to
those mills which were union last year.
even refusing to allow two mills to be in
cluded which, by species Of hectoring
and Systematic opposition Of the company.
had become nonunion during the year.
Even the first demand for the scale to be
applied generally throughout the jurisdic-
ton of the company was commendable
for the obvious reason that an employer
should be willing to pay a uniform wage
to men who perform like work; but realiz-
ing that demand for those whom 1t did
not fully represent, the Amalgamated assoc
citation modified Its demand to the extent
already stated.
''It appears that the company took the
position it did with an avowal that it would
not allow the extension of the union to
nonunionfsts. Such position and avowal
are tantamount to declaring that notwith-
standing the growth of the craft the or
ganization had reached state beyond
which 1t could not extend. Now, anyone at
al mil q md lo1
and economic organization are equally
aware that status is never possible. Or
gained labor advances or recedes, never
stands still. 1t, therefore. follows that II
the trust. by; its great wealth, can pre-
vent the extension and growth of the
Amalgamated association 1t encompasses
Its disintegration and destruction. The
only power then standing between the
trust and workers as a protector are the
tender mercies of its directors. Against
such calamity the sense Of justice and
humanity revolt and against which we
Solemnly protest.
1--WE shall stand by the Amalgamated
association In the present conflict to the
full extent of our power, both morally and
financially; we shall aid in every lawful
way the men on strike or who may come
out on strike to maintain the workers in
their right to organize and the extension
OF their organization, SO that the only
power. which stands for their protection
and advancement against the avarice of
concentrated wealth may be perfected and
perpetuated. When the overyeening rich
combine for avarice, power and tyranny,
is 1t not the duty OF the workers to unite for
home. justice. right and humanity? II
the trust should succeed in its purpose
to crush the Amalgamated association.
the victory would be dearly bought.
'The fight OF the brave Beers may end
in their undoing. but the spirit Of justice,
the love of freedom and right suddenly
looms up in another part Of our world.
of other men who will carry on the battle
until they are enthroned in the conscience
and everyday life of all peoples; SO with
the Amalgamated association, an organi-
1ation may be defeated in contest, but
1t will not be conquered.
The Amalgamated association will not
be crushed; she will not be conquered:
she must not even be defeated"
Proposes to Act Not Talls
Mr.. Gompers refused point blank to
answer questions regarding any phase
of the strike question and when asked
if the executive council of the fedora
ton was to be called together or if the
federation men engaged. in the steel,
iron and tin trade, would be called
OuSs SHAASN NAV AC NOU1u uOt OlSCuSS
the question at all.
81 propose to act. not talk" he said.
''The newspapers have threshed over this
strike matter too much already, and dc
not propose to take any part in the dis
cussion in print. The newspapers can say
what they please. have nothing what
ever to add to what already have said
stand for Industrial peace and will dc
everything within my power to bring about
an adjustment Of the present conflict, and
as president of the federation to use my
good offices, II necessary. between the two
sides Of the conflict to settle the trouble
stand ready to render any and all possible
aid to this end. stand ready to assist the
Amalgamated In any way in my power
Further than this cannot talk
United Mine Workers Pledge Aid.
indianapolis, Ind, Aug. 12.-The
executive board Of the United Mine
Workers of America, in session here
has officially recognized the stee
strike. At noon resolution setting
out the causes of the strike, endors.
ing the action of the Amalgamate6