Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-09-03
GARY REFUSES n |
DEAL WITH UNIONS
Tells Labor Leaders That Steel
Mills Will Remain Open.
MEN MAY APPEAL TO VII SOu
Chairman of Board of Steel Corpora.I
tlon Notifies Committee of Amer.
can Federation That He In.
sists Upon Open Shop.

siStS upon open Shop.
New York, Aug. 2S.-Elbert n
Gary, chairman of the board of 1bal
United States Steel corporation medaI
public a communication sent by himI
to a committee of the American Fed.
GRAFTON of Labor, which is Organizipol
workers in the iron and steel induS.
try, asserting that his corporationl
would decline to discuss business re-
lations with trades unions as such.
Mr.. Gary's letter was addressed tol
| John Fitzpatrick, chairman of theI
| committee and his assistants in renIvl
to request for an interview to dis
cuss hours of labor, working condi-
tons and union recognition. 1t said u
1--WE do not think you are author
lied to represent the sentiment of a!
majority of the employees of thel
United States Steel corporation and
its subsidiaries. We express no Opin-
ion concerning any other members of
the iron and steel industry.
| CAS- heretofore publicly stated andl
repeated, our corporation and sub
salaries, although they do not com
bat labor unions as such, decline tOl
discuss business with them. The cor
| poration and subsidiaries are opposed
| to the closed shop.
'They stand for the open shop,
which permits one to engage in anyl
line of employment whether one does
or does not belong to labor union.
This best promotes the welfare of
both employees and employers.
''In view of the well-knOwn attitude,
as above expressed, we respectfully
decline to discuss with you, as repre-
| sentatives of labor unions, any mat
| tiers relating to employees. In doing
so, no personal discourtesy is intended,
"Best Interests at Heart"
"In all decisions and acts of thes
corporation and subsidiaries pertain
ing to employees and employment
their interests are of highest impor-
lance. In wage rates, living and work
| ing conditions, conservation of life and
health, care and comfort in time of
| sickness or old age, and providing ia
cilities for the general welfare AMI
happiness of the employees and Their
families, the corporation and subSl-
diaries have endeavOred to occupy a
leading and advanced position among
employers.
at will be the object of the cor
poration and subsidiaries to give such
consideration to employees as to snow
them their loyal and efficient service
in the past is appreciated, and they
may expect in the future fair treat
ment."
Mr.. Gary's letter was in reply 10
the following communication from the
committee:
During a general campaign OF Or
ganization and education conducted
under the auspices Of the American
Federation Of Labor, many thousands
of men employed in the iron and steer
industry made application and were
enrolled as members of the Variou"
organizations to which they were as
signed.
"Tbis work has been carried on 10
a point where we feel justlhed III Sla.
ing to you that we represent the "en'I
mont of q vast majority of the ell
nlovees of this industry and acLns I"
behalf of them we solicit of you tlaI
hearing be given to the underSisneu
committee who have been selecteu Wy
the duly accredited representatives VI
tho emplovees to place before you
matters that are of vital concern "
them and concerning hours OF l"poi'
wages. working conditions ana INC
right of collective bargaining
Conference Was Refused.
.srha committee called at your oo
flee at 8 D. m. Tuesday, August ~,
and requested a conference we W., au
advised nv your messenger that you
wished to be excused from peISo oIod
interview at this time ana Ieque''S
nc IN have our business in Wrluhs "ut
whatever matters we wish to saOlni 5
would be taken up by yourseLi , anu
YOUR colleagues and given conS'O'
ton. ...ir, in
.rrberefore we are submitting IL
brief. the principal subjects tna' r W.
desire to have a conference on 4 tng
committee has an important in9' AID
IN another city on Thursday nez, ,, alp +
will leave New York at i've . .oa
on August q, 1919. May we respeI he /
fulIv request that your answer r,tz, I
sent before that time to 0 D0,nnoduav 4
natrick. Continental hotel Bro I at+r
and Forty-frst street, Ne" 4oIh 81 m, NJ. &
Before receiving the reply . 20 in. 3
carv. members of the committee an N
tin1ated that they would max axe, a. fo;Ipd \
n rna,,1 to president Wilson if they ls+ rSs
to get hearing from officials u
Steel corporation.
MERCER STARTS SEPT -