The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-15
LEADERS OF ORGANIZED LABOR
DECIDE TO FIGHT TO- THE
BITTER END.
RESOLUTION IS PASSED.
through Influence of President Samuel
Gompers of American Federation Of
Labor important Measure Is Put Into
Record Books of Executive Council.
Hours Spent in Debate.

Pittsburg, Dec. H.-War was form
ally declared unon the United States
Steel corporation by leaders nf or
ganizea labor throughout the United
'wo days conference today. The de-
eision In battle against the stand taxi
en- by the local corporation I'm its
policy nf open shop was reached by
the labor conferees after hours of de-
bate.
At the conferenc. Samuel Gompers.
president of the American Federation
of Labor. presided and through him.
the measure was put upon the record
books OF the executive council of the
federation
The grievances of organized labor
against the steel organization az set
inrth in the resolution have been for
warded to President Taft, to the
United states senate and To the house
Of representatives. Governors of the
states I'm which the United States
Steel corporation owns plants or has
interests also will receive copies. The
resolution In part follows:
IrtsS ARISES.
"A crisis In the affairs of labor has
arisen. The gigantic trust. the United
States Steel corporation. Is using its
great Nfalth and power in an effort
to rob the toilers OF their rights OF
American manhood and of the OPP
portunity To resist its further en-
croachment. Grown rich by the con-
sent of the people of our country, this
corporation In its mad greed for stiil
further riches sweeps aside. makes
and unmakes law. its enactors and ex-
ecutors and Is now engaged in an ef-
fort to destroy the only factor-tha
organization of its ampioyes-standing
between 1t and unlimited. unchecked
ana unbridled Industrial, political. So
cial and moral carnage. 1t there ex-
lists any viriie power in our time and
life to check the absolute autocratie
domination of civic. industrial and po-
litical life of our people and our re-
public. II must be found i'm the in |
domnitable will and mission of the /
much h-misnnderstond and misrepresent-
ed organizations of labor.
War on Labor.
''The decree went into effect July
has declared war on labor In Its
secret councils this corporation has de-
creed that the only obstacle to its
complete sway-organized labor-shali
be crushed. The labor organizations
consist of its employees, the workers
their wives and little onesl human
flesh and blood. 1t is by their labor
hat they live: they have no purpose
'ther than safeguarding their lives.
heir character. their future. the safe
y of the republic and humanity.
These factors now confront each
'ther. BY their purposes. attitude and
'etions must they be judged ON june
]. 1909. the United States Steel cor
'nratlon proclaimed its decree of hos
iltty toward labor. The right of the
workers to associate for their COM
non protection was no longer to be
recognized or tolerated. Accompany
ng that decree was notice of fur
her reduction In the already scant
wages of the workers.
Earnest Effort.
THE decree went into efefet July
1903. We therefore urge that AN
arnest effort be made to thoroughly
rganize all employees In the iron. steel
ND tin plate industries and subsidiary
n-fetated trades. owing to immediate
astlle attitude of the United States
teei corporation. We earnestly call
II all national and international
MONS of America 10 send at least one
rganfzer In assist In this work. We ,
arther urge and recommend that i'm :.
ii places where mills are located the
peciai committees with Instructions
, Cooperate in this work. For edu-
atnnal purposes we recommend that
lis manifesto be made IA special order
| all central labor organizations at
he first meeting in January. 1910.
We recommend that the executive , !,
tnnc!i Of the American Federation of
abar issue a circular 10 all unions .
America and appeal for financial :
to aid the striking iron.
eel and tin plate workers We fur ,
her recommend that the amount nf !.
leh contribution should be nor less :.
IAN 10 cents per member. !,
Recommended atoms. Y
In view of the great wrongs per ;,
strated by the United States Steel =
not only against the ;
arkers. but the public generally. we :
commend that y committee be an- .
ssntrd by this conference To wait up- =
the president of the United States,
te president of the United States
nate. the speaker af the house OF
and such members of $,
ther house of congress as may he h
.emed advisable. for the purpose Of /:
wing before them the grievances X
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