Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-15
ALL LIBERTY LOVING
AMERICANS APPEALED TO
Grievance Against Oppressive Mon
opcly Will be Laid Before Presi-
dent, Members Of Congress, Cover
nors Of States and Authorities OF
Cities and Counties-Cali For Funds
(By Associated Press.)

PlTTSBURG, PA, Dec. 14.-War
was formally declared upon the Unit
ed States Steel Corporation by the
leaders Ct organized labor throughout
the United States and Canada at the
close of a mOmentouS two Gays con
ference today. The decision to battle,
long and hard, against the stand taken
by the steel corporation i'll its policy
If open shop" was reached by the
labor confereeS only after hours OF
debate and a deal of trouble.
At the conference which passed
the remarkable battle decree. Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation f Labor. pre- sided.
The grievances of organized labor
against the steel corporation as set
forth in the resolution have been
forwarded to President Taft and the
United States Senate and House OF
Representatives The governors OF
the States in which the steel corpo-
raticn owns plants or has interests
will also receive a copy OF the resO-
buttons.
Crisis in Affairs of Labor.
The resolution in part fellows:
"A crisis in the affairs of labor has
arisen. The gigantic trust, me Unit
ed states Steel Corporation, is using
its great wealth and power in an ef-
fort to rob the tOilers of their rights
of American manhood and o. the OPP
portunity TO resist its further en-
croachment Grown rich by the con-
sent of the people of our country, TINS
CORPORATION in its mad greed fer still
greater riches sweeps aside, makes
and unmakes law, its enactors and
executors. and is now engaged In an
effort to destroy the only factor-the
organizations of its employees
standing between it and unlimited,
unchecked and unbridled industrial,
political. social and moral carnage
IF there exists any virile power IN
Cur time and life to check the abso-
lutte autocratic domination OF civic,
industrial and political life of our
neopie and our republic, it must be
found in the indomitable VIII and
mission q the much misunderstood
and micoprese nted crgan.zati8s CT
labor.
Corporation Has Declared War.
The United States Steel Corpora
tion has declared war on labor. In its
secret councils this corporation has
decreed that the only obstacle to its
compiete sway-organized labor
shall be crushed. The labor organiza-
lions consist of its employees, the
workers Oheir wives and little cnes),
human flesh and blood. 1t is by their
labor that they live; they have no
nurpose other than safeguarding their
lives their character. their future.
the safety Of the repubnc and human
ity.
These factors now confront each
other nv their purposes. attitude
and actions must they be judged
..OD lime I. 1909. the United States
Steel CORPORATION proclaimed its de-
cree Of hostility toward labor Inc
right OF the workers to associate Tor
their common protection was no long
or 4, he recognized OF tolerated. And
accompanying that decree was no
tica Of a further reduction in the al
ready scant wages OF the WORKERS
rho decree went into effect July !,
1909. we therefore urge that an earn
est effort 5e made to thoroughly CT
ganize all employees in the iron, steer
and tin plate industry and subsidiary
correlated trades
plan Of Campaign.
Owing 10 imIbtutdtt pitSSe
cessitv caused by the present STRIKE
and the indefensibie. hostile attitude
~ The United States Steel Ccrporalcn
We earnestly. call upon national and
International unions % America 70
send al least one organizer TO ASSIST
IN this work. We further recommer :
mat in all places where mills are
Gated the central labor oTganizatio.
spposnt special committees with IN
efrucfions to cooperate IN this woFK.
For educational purposes. We recon
,nend that this manifesto be made
speciar order in all central labor or
ranizaficns al the first meeting IN
January 1910.
.syye recommend that the exccrtiVs
~ ,be American Federation Of Laeor
,ssne an appeal for financial contribu.
,scre ~ aid the striking iron. stee'
ana Tin plate workers..
we further recommend that IN.
.r,ourf a srch contribution shcuis
no, 10 less than ten cents per mem
Der. -. -