Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-12-17
FEDERATION LEADERS ISSUE DEC
LARATION AFTER LONG CON-
FERENCE IN PITTSBURG.
WILL APPEAL TO PRESIDENT.
Statement Alleges That Profits of $500
Yearly Are Made Off Workmen Who
Make Less Than $500.
GOVERNORS ARE ASKED FOR AID.

PITTSBURG Dec. 15.-Labor lead
ars in conference in the Monongahela
house Tuesday afternoon declared war
on the United States Steel corporation.
There were fOrty-fve of the most intlu-
entia labor leaders in the meeting, and
their decision that the big steel corpora
ton must be curbed and forced to recog-
nize the rights of the workmen is coun-
try wide.
The men in the conference represent
every big labor union in the country, and
they call upon the federal government
the governors of states, officials Of coun-
ties and municipalities to take steps to
bring the big corporation to realize that
the condition of the workmen in it's
plants must be alIeviated. A committee
will be appointed to call upon the COVER
nors and other government officials and
ay the grievance of the Workmen before
them.
Funds are also asked to aid the move
ment. and John y ;lliamS of the Anal
gamated association at Pittsburg has
been named as treasurer, to whom all
moneys should be sent. 1t is pledged
that all money received will be used in
waging war on the American Sheet and
Tin Plate company, whose wOrkmen
have been striking in the Pittsburg dis
trict since June 80 last.
Statement IN Part.
A statement given out in part follows
A crisis in the affairs of labor has come
The gigantic trust-the United States Steel
corpora tion-has used and is using its great
wealth and power i'll an effort to rob the
toilers not only of a livelihood, but their
right, American manhood, and of the op-
nDrtunlty to resist IFS further pncFO1ph-
ments.
The United States Steel corporation has
declared war on labor; In its secret coun-
ellis this corporation has decreed that the
only obstacle to its complete sway-Organ-
lied labOr-shall be crushed. This soulless
corporation represents nothing but dollars,
Knowing neither body nor soul. Its god is
the almighty dollar. It's profits amount to
$500 yearly from each employee, said en-
ploye making less than $500 yearly in
wages.
We urge that an earnest, systematic Ell
fort be made thoroughly and completely to
organize all employees in the iron, steel and
ttnplate Industry and subsidiary correlated
trades.
Urge Special Committees.
We further urge and recommend that
in all places where mills are located the
central labor organization appoint special
committees with instructions to cooperate
in this work.
We recommend that Che executive conn
ell of the American Federation of Labor
prepare and issue at stated periods q cir
cular to all international, national, central
and local unions of America, an appeal for
financial contributions TO aid the striking
iron, steel and tin workers.
Will Wait on Taft.
In view of the great wrongs perpetrated
by the United States Steel corporation not
only against the workers but the whole
public generally, we recommend that q COM
mittee be appointed by this conference to
wait upon the President of the ITniteo
States, the president of the United States
Senate and the speaker of the House OF
Representatives, and such members OF
either house of Congress as may be deemed
advisable, for the purpose Of laying before
them the grievances from which labor SUI
fers at the hands of this corporation: and
that the committee herein provided demand
u thorough investigation as to the legality
of the actions and the existence under the
law of the United States Steel corporation.
Call Upon Governors.
We therefore recommend that commit
tees be appointed by this conference to walt
upon the governors of states and such other
official representatives of counties and mu-
inequalities as are in control where the
United States Steel corporation has plants
located, for the purpose Of presenting to
these officials the great wrongs inflicted
upon the people of these communities, and
that the committees demand an tnvestiga-
ton of the complaints made and, where
charges are Substantiated by evidence the
officers responsible thtrefor be removed and
the wrongs righted. Respectfully,
JAMES O'CONNELL,
I. L. LEWIS,
w. d. MAHON,
GEORGE w. PERKINS,
J. w. HAYS,
FRANK NJ RYAN,
T. HEALY,
SAMUEL GOMPERS,
P. j. MARBLE,
CHARLES f. LAWYER,