The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-09-14
THE. STEEL STRIKE.

J76. OJGcl 0JOvNGs
At this writing the situation in the
great steel strike has changed but lit
tle, despite many efforts to bring it to
an honorable close. In compliance with
the request of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers.
the president and the secretary of the
American Federation Of Labor went to
Pittsb6rg, and had a conference there
with the officials of the Amalgamated
| Association.
A thorough investigation Of the strike
of the members formerly in the employ
of United States Steel Company and its
constituent branches, was gone into,
and the causes leading to the contest
were Investigated.
We unhesitatingly declare our judg-
ment that the position of the Amalga-
mated Association is absolutely justi-
fed as essential to it's continuance and
effectiveness as union of the workers
of the rights and interests of it's men,
bers.
It is true that the Amalgamated AS
ISOLATION In the first conference asked
that the United States Steel Company
sign the union scale of wages for all the
mills operated, owned, and controlled
by that company.
It 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withdrawn and one substituted so that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 employ
ed; in other words, which are we'll
known to be union mills.
] This the United States Steel Company,
refused to concede, insisting that the
scale should apply only to those mills
which were union last year, even refus-
ing to allow two mills to be included,
which by a species of hectoring and
systematic opposition of the company,
had become non-union during the year.
Even the first demand for the scale to
be applied generally throughout the
jurisdiction of the company was COM
mendable for the obvious reason that
an employer should be willing to pay
uniform wage to men who perform like
work; but realizing this to be a de-
mand for those whom it did not fully
represent, the Amalgamated Associa-
ton modified it's demand to the extent
already stated.
1t appears that the company took
the position it did with an avowal that
1t would not allow the extension of the
union to nOn-un1Onists. Such posi-
ton an avowal are tantamount to de-
clartng that, notwithstanding the
growth of the craft, the organization
had reached a. status beyond which it
could not extend.
Now, any one at all familiar with
industrial development and economic
organization is aware that organized
labor advances or recedes, but never
stands still. 1t therefore follows that if
the trust, by it's great wealth, can pre-
vent the extension and growth of the
Amalgamated Association, it encompass
ses the disintegration and destruction
of the latter. The only power then
standing between the trust and work.
ers as protector is the tender mercy
Of It's directors. Against such situa-
ton the sense Of Justice and humanity
krevolts, and we solemnly protest.
We shall stand by the Amalgamated
/ the full extent of our power both moral
ly and financially. We shall aid in
every lawful way the men on strike to
maintain the workers in their right to
organize, and to extend their organiza-
ton; so that the only power which
stands for their protection and advan-
cement against the avarice of concen-
trated wealth may be perfected and
perpetuated. When the overweening
rich combine for avarice, power, and
tyranny, is it not the duty of the work
ers to unite for home. justice, right and
humanity?
If the trust should succeed in its
purpose to crush the Amalgamated AS
ISOLATION, 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
the world. These principles find lodg-
| ment in the hearts Of other men, who
| carry on the battle urtil they are de-
enthroned IN the conscience and every
day life of all peoples. So with the
Amalgamated Associations; an organi-
cation may be defeated in a contest,
but it will not be conquered.
| The Amalgamated Association will
| not be crushed; will not be conquered;
must not even be defeated.
| We shall not relax our efforts to aid
| the brave men who are striking, to
| bring. this contest to an honorable end,
and we appeal to every fellow wage
worker and every sympathizer to exert
every power and influence in the same
direction.-Samuel Gompers.
GOD HATES A COWARD.