The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-20
Steps Are Being Taken To Put
Down Any Violence.
Two Companies Pennsylvania
State Police Ordered Out.
BAN ON WORKERS MEETINGS
L. S. Steel Denies Report 1t
Will Close Down.
Unions Hear Companies Are
FOrtifying Their Plants.

With the nationwide steel
strike less than two days off,
prospects of violence began to in
crease this afternoon.
Two companies of Pennsyl-
vania state police have been
ordered out and 10000 deputies
are being sworn in by the United
States Steel corporation, it is re-
ported. Borough presidents in
steel towns near Pittsburgh are
taking steps to prevent mass
meetings of steel workers, set
for Sunday.
Trouble is anticipated by
manufacturer in Ohio, who are
appealing to the authorities to
help guard their properties.
Greatest Industrial Drama.
The stage was set today for what
may prove one Of the greatest indus
trial dramas in American history.
Every preparation had been made
both by employers and employees for
the strike at dawn Monday.
Union leaders reiterated their con-
fidence of closing down every plant in
the country controlled by or affiliated
with the United States steel corpora
ton. Officials of the corporation
We're equally confident that the great
majority of their workmen would re-
main loyal and enable the plants to
continue operation.
John Fitzpatrick. chief organizer of
the steel workers. announced in Wash
ington today that women would be
employed by the strikers to aid in
keeping up the morale of their wives
and children.
Judge Elbert II. Gary, head of the
steel corpora ton, did not appear at
his New York office today and secre-
taries said they did not know his
wherea bouts. They were certain
there had been no deviation from his
attitude OF no compromise.
Will Operate Monday.
w b. Rubin, general counsel for
the steel workers, said in New York
today organized capital must meet
organized labor or organized riot"
Officials of the Allegheny Steel
company. Breckenridge. Pa, said their
employees had voted overwhelmingly
against a strike.
From all over the Pittsburgh dis
trict come reports that steel mills will
operate Monday II sufficient men re-
port for work.
The reports caused a stir in labor
circles here but were not believed in
view Of the statement made by e. Fl.
Gary. chairman Of the board of United
States steel corporation in his letter
q. asFs THal~=~
companies that the plants should pro-
ceed with their business the usual
way.
Fear Clashes VIII Occur.
Pittsburgh. Pa. Sept 2O.-Pros-
poets Of trouble. with possible clashes.
began to grow this afternoon as plans
and prepa rations for the big steei
strike progressed.
With two companies OF Pennsyl-
vania's state polce-royally hated by
every union man-ordered out, and
ten thousand deputies being sworn in
by the steel corporation, borough
presidents In the steel towns about
Pittsburg announced that steps will be
taken to prevent mass meetings Of the
steel workers, called for Sunday.
Refuse Meeting Permits.
Local ordinances require that per-
mits be obtained for all public meet
inEs or gatherings. The call for mass
headquarters to all points. Permits
will be refused and the borough presi-
dents declared they will order the ar
rest OF persons attending meetings
without permits.
Mayors or borough presidents Of
such towns as McKeesport. Clarion.
Homestead, Rankin and other big
steel centers issued proclamations or
statements this afternoon declaring all
gatherings would be prohibited and
that they would see that life and pro-
perty were protected.
Deny shutdown Report.
Reports that the United states Steel
corporation would shut down its
plants in the Pittsburgh district un-
less there was 100 per cent loyalty
shown by the workers were denied
today at the offices Of the Carnegie
steel company. a subsidiary. The
plants will operate as long as men re-
port for work, it was said.
All companies in the Pittsburgh dis
trict profess little concern over a gen
eral wallSout and declare their plants
will open as usual on Monday
Representatives of steel companies
all along have said that they will oper-
ate as long as they are able to do so.
Next Move Up To Employers.
At national strike headquarters to-
4riay w. z Foster, secretary of the ma
tional committee of the steel workers,
said the next move was up to the en-
I'VE have called the men out" he
said. land they will stay out until the
companies make a move that will
bring them back"
Asked how many men expected
would answer the strike call, Mr.. Fos-
ter replied that he did not now. but
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