Evening star., 1909-08-30
Interest of A. F. of L. in
McKeeS Rock Troubles.
ALLEGED WAGE REDUCTION
Suggestion That Tariff Legislation
Is Sidetracked.
BENEFIT TO EMPLOYER ONLY
Secretary Morrison Addresses Let
ter to the Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor.

The American Federation Of Labor has
taken q hand in the troubles at Mckees
Rocks, Pa. Frank Morrison. secretary Of
the federation. has forwarded to Secre-
tary OF Commerce and Labor NaSel a
communication in which he asserts that
the Iaborers employed by the Pressed
steel Car Company at McKees Rocks.
Pa, the scene OF the present strike, are
not paid the share to which they are en-
titled under the protective tariff system .
Mr. Morrison takes the position that as
the company is enabled. by the protective
system. to charge much higher prices
for it's products than otherwise 1t would
receive. the government Is under ohliga-
ton TO make inquiry for the protection of
the Iaborers. The request for the inquiry
Is based upon section OF the act OF Feb
ruary IL, 1903, which requires the Secre
fary OF Commerce and Labor to make
special investigations either upon the re-
quest OF the President or Of either house
Of Congress or upon his own initiative.
Alleged Reduction in Wages.
Pointing out that the strikers are aliens
and are not members of any labor organi-
zation. Mr.. Morrison declaress that their
wages have been reduced by the off,
GERS OF the Pressed Steel Car Company
70 the extent that in sheer desperation
they decided to cease work until their
many grievances which they could no
longer bear, were remedied and higher
wage rate was paid.
Mr.. Morrison takes the position that
the rioting and needless sacrifice of
human life should not be permitted to
divert attention from the fact that these
regrettable inc dents are 1.-THE direct re-
suit OF the unbearable and unbelievable
conditions forced
these defenseless and helpless wage work
ers."
In support Of his contention that the
conditions are bad, Mr.. Morrison quotes
made recently by Paul L. kellogg. Mr..
Kellogg gives many instances OF low
wage payments, and he says that the men
complain especially that they are denied
sll means of checking up their earnings.
No piece rates are posted, as under the
old system, and the men claim that the
hourly rate is not guaranteed mini
mum. It is asserted that in one instance
man received only one dollar for three
days work, that another worked four
teen days for SIS, and that another work.
ed ten days for $3.50.
Testimony Of Catholic Pastor.
Rev. A. F. Toner. pastor OF st. Mary's 8
Catholic Church at McKees Rocks. Is
quoted as saying that ''the conditions
under which the employees work and live
are such that they are unfit for publica-
tion''
Mr.. Morrison then enters his plea for
investigation on the ground that better
wages should be paid under the tartn
system. On that point he says:
IF this very brief mention of exist
ing conditions In McKees Rocks Is SUI
fcient for you to deem it necessary and
urgent to inaugurate an Investigation
Ea RI tha niihlfc.
would particularly direct your attention
to the facts that the Pressed Steel Car
Company is especially favored by the
United States government; that this
company is end bled by a protective tar
iff to place q much higher price upon
it's products than it would If they were
on the free list; that this company be-
Cause OF the tariff enjoyed by the iron
and steel industry collects vast sum
of money each year from the American
public; that the new tariff law has just
been enacted: that the representatives
of the great iron and steel ccmpa-
nies set up the idea that if the present
tariff was continued on their products
the benefits would accrue to their en-
ployes, and that if the tariff was not
enacted they would be forced to reduce
the wages of their employees; that be-
cause of such information being sub
n,itted by representatives Of the iron
and steel companies, who desired a
still higher tariff, the present law was
adopted in good faith by the last Con-
Eress.
Rights Of the Public.
Il therefore contend that the public has
a right to know if the iron and steel COM
panies which are profting on account of
a protective tariff are keeping faith with
the government, and are paying their
employees a reasonable wage rate. a wage
rate In keeping with the protection en-
ioyed by the companies
"A careful investigation Of all the facts
in this case would place YOU In possession
cf sufficient information to enable you tn
inform the public whether the increased
prices charged by the Pressed Steel Car
Company, as the result of the existing
tariff on their products and In the mate
rails OF which they are composed. are re-
ceived by their employees. or. on the other
hand. II they are diverted In part. or IN
their entirety. to enlarge the profits OF
the various companies and to increase the
dividends of their stockholders.