The diamond drill., 1919-09-27
STRIKE NEWS
0vERSHAD0WS ALL
A SUSPENSION OF MINING OPERA
TONS NOT UNLIKELY
LOOK FOR A LONG STRUGGLE
Opinion Seems to be That Now is
the Time to Fight it to AFinish
and Determine Future

The steel strike overshadowed all
else in Crystal Falls this week. Ev-
eryone seems on the qui vive to know
il the strike is going TO effect the
mining country, and II so TO what ex-
tent.
The general opinion is that the
strike will cause a partial, IL not a
general, shutdown in the Lake Su-
perior district IL 1t runs the course
that indications are IL will run.
The preparations that have been
made by both sides for this strike
were very apparent last Monday when
the strike began. II was evident that
the steel men had fortified themselves
for the struggle and are content to
let II run its course.
That the union men had been act
i've was apparent in the number !
workers who left their jobs. So con-
fused are the reports on both sides
that one cannot get any accurate idea
OF just how many men are working or
how many are on a strike.
Radicals In Control.
What is known as the radical wing
OF the labor organizations is in con.
troll OF this strike. The conservative
leaders ranged about Samuel Comp
ers were rode over rough shod in the
conferences preparatory to the strike
and they have stepped aside and left
the burden as we'll as the responsible
ity for the success or failure OF the
strike In the hands OF the radical ele-
ment.
The fact that the radical wing is in
control is very significant for. under
their surface demands for recognition
of the union, changed working condi-
tions and so on there is the soviet
plan OF operating industry to which
this wing Is welded and for which II
intends TO strike il successful in this
contest
The strike. therefore. has double
significance It's success undoubtedly
means a great step forward in the
plans OF radicals towards selling all
industry and operating IL for the bene-
fit OF those engaged in the industry
solely. The Plumb plan proposed as
a solution OF the railroad situation
was primarily a soviet proposal, and II
the steel workers are successful in
this strike the next move will be tc
operate the steel and iron industry
on soviet basis. That. OF course, ~
not openly talked OF. but II one reads
carefully the statements OF Foster,
the secretary OF the association OF
steel workers, he can easily determine
the goal to which the strike leaders
are directing their steps.
Means Fight to Finish.
For that reason many OF the best
informed expect this strike to be
long fought out one and very exhaust
ing to both the principals engaged and
10 the industry at large the nation
over.
There is a possibility OF President
Wilson stepping In as he did In the
railroad contention in 1916 and fore
ing a compromise that will simply de-
lay the evil day, but the danger from
that Is not so great at the present time
as the mind OF the country opposed
to soviet government seems prepared
10 make the stand on this line and
stand or fall thereon.
A conference has been called for
Oct 6 at Washington 10 which all
phases OF laborites have been invited
as wen as capitalists OF all degrees.
E. ~. Gary will be- one OF the most
prominent conferees and the fact that |
the strike Is one that will lend added !
interest 90 this conference.
IN addition congress has taken cog
nizance Of the situation and has sum
moned the leaders on both sides to m
IL "a very probable
that II congress goes the limit with
this investigation the exposures re-