The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-29
CONFLICTING
CLAIMS open
new WEEK OF
STEEL STRIKE
Only Insignificant Minority
Has Gone Out at Bethlehem
Says Company - Workers
Report Plant is Crippled.
DOCK WORKERS ARE OUT
(By Associated Press)

(By Associated Press)
Today, proclaimed by both sides as
one of crucial test in the great steel
strike, opened with the situation still
obscure, because of conflicting claims.
The opposing leaders issued flatly
contradictory statements in regard to
the proposed strike today of the 10000
workers in the plants Of the Bethle-
hem steel corporation
The corporation officials claimed
that the strike calls had been obeyed
by only comparatively Insignificant
number and that operations in all
their mills were continuing. The un-
ion chiefs replied with a claim that
the huge plant at Bethlehem was COM
pletely crippled and that the power
house had been forced to close.
The reported conditions in the 9TH
er great steel centers indicated that
the balance was being held fairly
equitably between the two opposing
sides. On the other hand there was
nothing to support the prediction OF
the steel company officials that the
day would see wholesale desertions
in the ranks of the strikers, and on
the other hand. there was a definite
increase in mill operation.
Resume at Farrell.
At Farrell, in the Pittsburg district.
one of the most hotly contested sec
tors on the striking front the Carnegie
steel company resumed operations of
two blast furnaces.
At Youngstown, where the strikers
have so far been successful in COM
pletely stopping operations. groups OF
| workers entered Carnegie plant, but
the superintendent stated that opera
ton would not be resumed for the
present.
ITO Offset these relatively minor
| gains the strikers at Cleveland were
| successful in tying up the docks of
the Pennsylvania railroad company,
and the Otis steel company, through
| a sympathetic walkout of ore and
| cold handlers. AS usual at headQuar-
| ters of both sides expressed the ut
most confidence in the final issue of
the struggle was expressed.
FITZPATRICK is CONFIDENT.
! PITTSBURG, Sept 29.-The opening
OF the second week of the steel work
ers' strike in the Pittsburgh district
was marked today by efforts of en-
ployers to operate plants full handed
and an intensive campaign by large
[ force of union organizers to extend
| the walkout to include those men who
have remained at work. A thick blan-
ket of fog covered western Pennsyl-
vania when the day shifts turned out
for work this morning.
While early reports did not indicate
to what degree of success either side
met, it is known that many workers
voted last week to return to the mills
today and resume their duties and the
employers viewed the situation with
optimism.
From strike headquarters came the
statement that with the additional Or
ganizers brought into the field during
the past few days there would be very
few desertions and large number of
additions to the strikers ranks.
John Fitzpatrick, chairman Of the
national committee for organization Of
the steel workers, who was at his desk
here today said he believed the strike
was 'as good as won"
Instead of men going back to wohk"
Mr.. Fitzpatrick said, more are going
? out every day. There isn't a chance
to lose-the strike is as good as won"
No serious disorders were reported
anywhere in the district during the
J first week of the strike and union
leaders said instructions to strikers
were to observe the law.
MANY RETURN TO WORK.