The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-25
STRIKERS TO CARRY
FIGHT TO SENATE
Fitzpatrick Will Appeal for
"Right of Free Speech and
Free Assemblage."
DECLARES POLICE BRUTAL
National Union Committee
Keeps Secret Details Of
Pittsburg Meeting.

PrrrsBuRo, Sept. 24.-The fight Of the
striking steel workers In the Pittsburg
district for the right of free speech and
free assemblage will be carried to the
United States Senate. John Fitzpatrick
Of Chicago. chairman of the national
committee for organizing iron and steel
workers announced here to-nighteat the
close of the committee meeting. He
said that he would leave at once for
washington to present the strikers APP
neal to the Senate committee inveSti-
eating the strike. before which he Will
testify tomorrow.
Mr. Fitzpatrick declared that the
situation was critical in this district
because of brutal assaults by the State
police on strikers. He charged that
they had dubbed and run down women
and childen with their horses at Clair
Ton. Homestead and NTcKeesport.
~ am taking sufficient evidence to
washington to present our case" the
chairman added. 1T Is our intention
of the workers be upheld by the Federal
Government"
No General Strike.
There is no possibility Of a general
strike growing out of the steel workers
walkout. Mr.. Fitzpatrick declared. "All
talk Of a general strike is ridiculous"
he added.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick asserted that the steel
workers strike was an American strike"
He said that reports that only foreigners
had walked out of the plants were false
and mot substantiated by fact"
II defy any one to prove that this
Is not an American striker; said Mr..
Fitzpatrick. Although large numbers
Of foreign-born workers have walked out
many American-born men have Joined
our ranks. OF course It must be remem-
bered that large numbers of foreign-born
men are employed in unskilled labor in
,the steel industry"
Although disinclined to talk about the
committees meeting to-day, Secretary
William z. Foster said that a sub-com-
mlttee had been appointed to meet with
the presidents of the four railroad
brotherhoods to discuss matters per
tanning to the strike" He refused to go
into particulars regarding the purpose OF
the meeting with the railroad chiefs.
According to Mr.. Foster, smother COM
mittee was appointed to meet with Sher-
III William S. Haddock of Allegheny
county and make a protest against the
actions of the State troopers called into
the county by the Sheriff.
Several members oftthe national COM
mittee will remain in Pittsburg and act
IN an advisory capacity in conducting
the strike. Mr. Foster said. The main
committee, however. was adjourned
without date.
Claim Americans Striking.
americans are appearing in our
Ticket lines in increasing numbers" Mr..
Foster said.
We claim 5000 additions to the ranks
Of the strikers for the day in Pitts
burg, making a total number out here
in the Jones and Laughlin plants in
Soho and on the South Side, where
TWO plants are slowly going down.
over the entire country our gains
over the day before are Is 1905, 900 in
this city and 10000 in the Youngstown
Ohio, district-making the total out
here $4,000. a complete shut down. We
CAIN $4,000 workers in the iron and
steel and allied industries are on strike
tAroughout the country.
'Machinists' lodges in. a body struck
'c-day in Birmingham. Ala, steel plants
We are chec1T.g up our figures on the
humber out re e."
Mr.. ritzps rick declared that the
strike was t:!s unions answer to Judge
Gary's declaration that 1t did not rep
resent the majority of the employees In
the United States Steel Corporation.
We have conclusively proved that Mr.
Gary is wrong" he said.
When asked If ne would communicate
With Mr.. Gary and again demand a con-
ference Mr. Fitzpatrick said that he
would not.
When Mr.. Gary refused to. comply
with the request of the President of the
Tinted States we feel that In calling this
strike we are supporting the Govern
flent," said the strike leader. THE
workers are loyal to the Government and
IRE determined TO stand back of Presi-
cent Wilson in his fight for democracy.
We consider our action is In support of
1'e nations Chief Executive, who is
Icing defed by Judge Gary"
He said the next move" was up to
Mr.. Gary and that the only possible hope
lcr a settlement would be the granting
Of the steel mems request for a conNr-
euce
The steel strike has the support of the
-,merican Federation of Labor. Mr.. Fitz-
latick went on to say. Reports circu-
ltted TO the contrary are misleading
ana false" he said.