New-York tribune., 1919-09-19
Men Explain Their
Stand to Wilson,
Make Public Letter Ciu-
ing Eleren Reasons for
Not Delaying Strike

PITTSBURGH, Sept. '1S.-The steel
workers. national committee late to-
night made public q letter it had
drafted and sent to President Wilson
giving eleven reasons why it could not
comply with his request to postpone
the steel workers. strike called for next
Monday.
Answer Plea for Delay
The text of the letter is as follows:
"Answering your request through
Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor, that the
date Of tho striko in tho steel industry
OF this country be postponed from Sep
temher g next. The date heretofore
fixed, until after a conference called by
you to meet in Washington or October
8 neNt, We respectfully make the fol-
lowing report:
"For years there has been great I'M
rest among the steel workers of our
country because OF the unusual, un-
american and despotic Industrial con-
ditions. Finding no redress in ind-
vIdHal efforts, the men naturally
sought, by the example OF other work
sociatc themselves for collective de-
fence. Oppression growing beyond en-
durancc. the call for assistance to re-
dress grievances came from every
quarter OF the industry to the St. Paul
convention Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor. held in June, 1918.
Men Eager TO Organize
"a committee consisting of rcpre-
sentat!ves of the crafts engaged in
this industry were ordered to and did
make investigation. They found the
field overripe for organization. The
enrolment Of membership grew by
leaps and bounds. Relief from thcir
oppression was imminent, and yet, out
o tnatriotic consideration to our cause,
they endured the continued suffering
without cessation Of their labors to
the end thai dcspotism abroad might
not gain thereby aid and comfort
Immediately after the armistice
was declared the men insisted upon
having their wrongs righted. They
were persuaded. however, to wait until
the Atlantic City convention Of the
American Federation Of Labor. held in
June, 1919. Following a report made
to that convention, Mr. Gompers
sought a conference with Mr.. Gary,
chairman OF the finance committee of
tho United States Steel Corporation,
on tnat subject in the hope OF avoiding
q grave industrial conflict. MIR. Com
pcrs. whose constructive patriotism is
beyond any question, was denied even
the courtesy OF a reply.
How Strike Was Voted
"Thcn the mon insisted upon action.
and. following authorization for taking
vote upcn I. strike. beginning with
July 20 and ending August 90 .his
year, oS per cent Of the men voted for
Il strike.
"Fcllowing the vote taken, a com
mittee representa- th~ crafts involved
went to Mr.. Gary for the purpose OF
obtaining conference, in TIE hope
OF avoiding the strike. Mr.. Gary re-
fused to see the committee or deal with
any one OF them. The committee, still
desirous Of avoiding the conflict, lald
sne entire matter before the executive
council Of tho American Federation Of
Labor. MI. GompcTs and the executive
council indOrsea the actions Of the
n,en. Nevertheless, in the hope OF
avesting a conflict, an appeal was made
TO your honor.
Blame Gary's "Obstinact"
"Mr. Gary obstinate in his denial
TO grant relief. caused such great un-
rest as to neccssitate calling meet
ing Of the presidents OF the twenty
four crafts involved. After thorough
calm, and deliberate review and study
Of The entire situation. taking into
consideration all the consequences that
would naturally fow thcye.rom, these
twcnty-our presidents, representing
over 100000 organized men, indorscd
the strike and set September o. as the
date therefor.
"'Thc date was deferred to September
g. against the best interests of the
strike solely IN the hope that Mr.. Gary
and his assoc iates ight in the mean
while reconsider their position. so as
to avoid the otherwise inevitable con-
fict.
'ln meeting called on September
II at Pittsburgh OF the representatives
Of the aforesaid crafts for the purpose
Of devising ways and means of con-
ducting the strike, your communication
through Mr.. Gompcrs requesting that
the date of the strike be postponed was
received Two days Of consideration