The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-04-21
THE SOUTH
BETHLEHEM
Seel Strike Situation Discussed by
Jacob Tozelaar, Organizer of the
A. F. of L.

No doubt the readers OF your paper
have read in the associated press state.
ments eminating from some source or
other, that the strike in the Bethlehem
Steel Co., South Bethlehem, Pa, has been
settled
Ever since the beginning of this strike,
ten weeks ago, the associated press has
been at the disposal of Mr.. Schwab and
his agents, and through it has sent out
4 great many misleading statements for
the purpose of enticing working men to
come to South Bethlehem to work under
deplorablc conditions.
Out of $500 men, who were employed
in this plant, at least 5000 have left the
borough of South Bethlehem and have
found employment elsewhere There is
still a large number of men on strike,
who are in no position to leave the boz.
ough, though they have received but very
little financial assistance the ten weeks
that they have been out on strike.
The whole strength of organized labor
Will be required to secure from congress,
men and United States senators an an
swer to questions put to them by the ex.
ecutive committee of the striking en-.
ployes, not to give any further govern.
ment contracts to the Bethlehem Steel
Company, until such time as they adjust
their grievances with the striking EN-
ployes.
1t will require the strength of all
building trades to bring this company to
terms Que of their specialties being the
manufacture of vaults, safes, structural
iron and gas engines. Nearly all of this
product must pass through the hands of
union men, particularly in our larger cit
les, where fire-proof buildings are being
erected.
The building trades involved in this
struggle here are the structural iron
workers, carpenters, painters and eectri-
cal workers, numbering 1000 men, The
company is now about one year behind in
its work, particularly upon government
work, and has failed to secure competent
help, due to the low wages, long hours,
and Sunday labor. Failing in their at
tempts to induce working men from other
points to this city, they are now resort
ing to other tactics in trying to fill their
shops with child labor, and almost every
day advertisements can be found in dali
ly and weekly newspapers.
Aside from this, the company has a
small army of agents on the road entic-
ing young men away from their homes,
making all kinds of promises It must
be remembered that for humber of
tween this company and the United
States government. 1t has been stated
on many occasions that some government
officials are financially interested, which
is thought to be one of the reasons why
the Bethlehem Steel Co. has secured at
least $9,O00,000 dollars worth of work
per year from the United Sattes govern
ment. Only short while ago it was an
nounced that brother of President Taft
had business relations with this company,
and was a stockholdcr in one of the new
plants just to be erected.
For n large number of years it was i'm
possible for the unions to secure foot
hold in South Bethlehem, owing 70 the
tyranny of Mr.. Schwab and his associ.
establishing n good organization here,
and I believe that the union sentiment is
SO strong that this powerful corporation
Will be unable to destroy the work that
has been accomplished
Every trades unonist is urged to write
to the congressman of his district and
the United States senator's of his state
asking that they use their influence with
the war department not to Civ" any fur.
Their contracts to the Bethlehem Steel
Co. until they adjust the trouble with
their workmen.