The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-15
Challenge Of the Steel Trust to
a Finish Fight
Is Accepted by the Leaders Of
Organized Labor.
TAFT AND CONGRESS.
Have Been Notified Regarding
the Cause Of Action.
General Appeal for Moral and
Financial Support.

PittsburE, Dec. 15.-War was form
ally declared upon the U. S. Steel cor
poration by the leaders of organized
labor throughout the United States
and Canada at the close of a two
days conference. The decision to
battle against the steel corporation in
its policy of "open shop" was reached
by the labor conferees after two hours
of debate. At the conference Samuel
Gompers presided and through him
the measure was put upon the record
books of the executive council of the
federation. The grievances against
the steel corporation have been for
warded to President Taft and to the
senate and house: The governors of
states in which the steel corporation
owns plants or has interests Will also
receive copy of the resolution. The
resolution in part follows:
"a crisis in the affairs of labor has
arisen. The gigantic trust, the U. S.
Steel corporation, is using it's great
wealth and power in an effort to rob
the toilers of their right of American
manhood and of the opportunity to
resist its further encroachments.
pie of our country, this corporation
In its mad greed for still greater
riches. sweeps aside, makes and I'M
makes law, its enactors and executors,
anu Is HOW GuSdSGQ oil OlIOIL "
destroy the only factor-the organiza-
ton of its employes-standing be-
tween it and unlimited, unchecked
and unbridled industrial, political,
social and moral carnage. If there
exists any virile power to check the
civic, industrial and political life of
our people and our republic, it must
be found in the indomitable will and
mission of the much misunderstood
fcrrn n6 nre or1iz ffor7 r0P
labor.
''The U. s. steel corporation has de-
clared war on labor. In its secret
councils this corporation has decided
sway - organized labor - shall be
crushed. The labor organization con-
sists of its employees. the workers
iCtheir wives and little ones, human
flesh and blood.) It is by their la
Dor that they live; they have no pur-
pose other than safeguarding their
lives, their character, their future,
the safety of the republic and
humanity.
started by the Trust
"On June 1, 1909 the U. S. Steel cor
poration proclaimed its decree of hos
titty toward labor. The right of the
workers to associate for common pro-
lection was no longer to be recognized
o. tolerated. Accompanying that de-
cree was notice of further reduc-
ton in the already scant wages of the
workers. The decree went into effect
July 1, 1909
I'VE, therefore, urge that an earnest
effort be made to thoroughly organize
all employees in the iron. steel and tin
plate industry and subsidiary co-rela-
ted trades. Owing to immediate press
drg necessity caused by the present
strike and the indefensibly hostile atti-
tude of the U. S. Steel corporation. we
earnestly call upon all national and
international unions to send at least
one organizer to assist in this work
I'VE recommend the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor
issue a circular to all unions of Amer
lea AMI appeal for financial contribu-