The sun., 1919-09-18
GARY FIRM: WILL NOT
TREAT WITH UNIONS
Would Meet Any Workman
or Shop Delegation.


board Of directors of the United States
Steel Corporation, sent a letter dated
Tuesday to each head OF United States
Steal Corporation subsidiaries, in which
ne said that the corporation does not
combat labor unions as such, and that II
does not negotiate with unions because
n would indicate the closing Of the shops
against non-union labor. &C.
TT is the settled determination Of
the United States Steel Corporation and
its subsidiaries" the letter asserts, that
the wages and working conditions OF
their employees shall compare favorably
with the highest standards OF propriety
and Justice"
The letter, dated New York. septem-
Der 16, Is as follows:
t'sNot long since respectfully declined
to meet for the purpose OF discussing
matters pertaining to labor at our va
rious plants a number of gentlemen rep
resenting certain labor unions. They
claim this furnishes cause for complaint
and have stated that they intend, II
possible, to prevent, continuance OF
operation at our mills and factories.
81 deem It proper to repeat In a let
ter what heretofore has been said to you
verbally. 1 entertain no feeling Of anil
mostly toward the gentlemen personally
and would not hesitate to meet them as
consider it proper to confer with them
under the circumstances.
The declination was made for two
reasons: First, because I did not be-
lfeve the gentlemen were authorised to
speak for large numbers OF OUT en-
p1oyees, whose interests and wishes are
OF prime Importance. Secondly. because
\ conference with these men would have
teen treated by them as q recognition
Of the closed shop method Of employ
ment
No Dealings with Labor Unions.
1--WE do not combat labor unions as
such. We do not negotiate with labor
unions, because II would indicate the
closing of our shops against non-union
labor; and large numbers OF our work
men are not members of unions and do
not care to be.
The principle of open shop Is vital
70 the greatest Industrial progress and
prosperity. 1t Is Of equal benefs to EN-
p1oyer and employee. 1t means that
every man may engage in any line OF
employment that he selects and under
sisch terms as he and the employer may
aRree upon; that he may arrange for
the kind and character OF work which
he believes will bring to him the larg-
est compensation and the most satisfac-
tory conditions. depending upon his own
merit and disposition.
"The closed shop means that no man
can obtain employment in that shop.
except through and on the terms and
conditions imposed by the labor unions.
he Is compelled to Join the union and
ID submit to the dictation Of its leader
Before he can enter the place OF business.
IF he joins the union he is then
restricted by its leader as to place OF
cork, hours of work (and therefore
amount of compensatory. and advance
rhent In position. regardless of merit !:
and sometimes, by the dictum Of the
union leader. called out end prevented
from working for days or, weeks, al
though he has no reali ErsAvance. and
ius and his family are suffering for want
a the necessities of life. In short, he
ID subjected to the arbitrary direction
d the leader. and his personal independ-
once is gone Personal ambition to
succeed and prosper Is stifled.
Can't stand for Closed shop.
This country will not stand for the
closed shop 1t cannot AFFORD II. In
the light of experience, we know II
could signify descreased production. IN
creased cost of living and initiative
development and enterprise dwarfed. II
would be the beginning Of industrial
0cCay, anu al hJubtiCe " lhO Oihhioh
themselves, who prosper only when In
dustry succeeds. The open shop will
generally be approved by them, for this
permits them to engage in any employ
fhent whether they are or are not mem
6ers OF labor union.
'Tt is appropriate to emphasizes
further what has been said many times
d regard to our employees. Every one
Without exception must be treated by al
others Justly and according to merit
N accordance with our established
custom, one Of our workmen, or a mum
Ter of our workmen from any depart
ihent, will continue to be received by tht
management to consider the adjustment
6f any question presented.
at is the settled determination o.
the United States Steel Corporation
and its subsidiaries that the wages ant
working conditions of their employees
hall compare favorably with thu
highest standards OF propriety and Jus
fee. Interpretations have alread,
and will hereafter be made; unfavor
eble criticisms may be INDUCED in b,
outsiders. especially by, those who hav
little knowledge of the facts; our EN-
tloyees may be threatened and abuse,
Ih the effort to influence them to Joil
the unions against their own desire, blu
Whatever the circumstances may be, W
should proceed with tho conduct of on
Business in the usual way and shoul
give evidence to our employees that W
mean In be fei with them"