The sun., 1919-09-19

Wilson nor others who favored post
ponement were cognizant OF the actual
conditions surrounding iron and steel
n.llls 1t was asserted that workers
were eager for the strike. that they were
Disseminated against for union activi-
ties and that the organized workers
would lose confidence in their leaders II
they turned back and deserted the men
at this time.
Some of the committeeman said that
organizers who had helped build up the
unions at steel plants throughout the
country would not dare so back and race
the men II the strike were called OF.
The request of President Wilson to
Mr.. Gompers and the later's communi-
cation submitting the Presidents pro-
posal were read to the committee when
the question OF postponement came up.
Those who favored putting on the
strike realized that the effort to defer
would fail before the motion was made,
as they had sounded the sentiment OF
the committeeman and found II strong
against such action.
John Fitzpatrick OF Chicago. chair
man of the national committee, said
after the meeting that plans had been
formulated for making the strike
effective Monday. morning. He said
there was nothing further TO do now
but to let the men walk out. He added
that the mills throughout the country
were well organized and that he was
confident the United States Steel Cor
poration, the principal point Of attack.
would have 70 recede from Its position
of declining to receive union leaders
representing organized men In Its plants.
Much of the time Of two long ses-
sions of the committee to-day were
taken up with consideration Of plans
for the walkout. 1t was agreed that
the national committee had wide powers
TO conduct the strike, and plans were
discussed for bringing about unity OF
action among 1.-THE twenty-fonr unions.
The question of assessments and
financing were discussed too. 1t was
agreed also to send TO all iron and steel
plants In the country the twelve de-
mands formulated BIZ the workers.
Hope for Individual Pacts.
II is said the national committee will
epdeavor to reach agreements with indi-
vidual and so-called independent con-
Germs and II successful the strikers will
return to mills in which settlements are
reached. 1t was pointed out that this
would strengthen the unions in their
fight and help to bring about agreements
with larger concerns
Inc strike CIRCULAR winch mas already
been distributed among steel workers
throughout the country. reads in part:
"The workers on the iron and steel
mills and blast furnaces not working un-
der union agreements are requested not
to go to work on September % and to
refuse to resume their employment until
such time as the demands Of the or
ganizations have been conceded by the
steel corporations"
The committee before going into ses'
sion issued a statement in reply TO tho
letter sent to the presidents of the sub!
sidiary companies of the United States
Steel Corporation by E. II. Gary. chair.
man Of the board of the parent organiza.
ton.
Members OF the committee after the
adjournment said that they we're of the
opinion that suggestions for a postpone
renr did not come from friends of the
workers, but II they were friends of the
workers they were misguided. The com
mittecmen realized. they said. the strike
would be hard one and expressed the
opinion that the officers of steel COM
rsnies would be surprised by the large
number of men who would refuse to re-
port for work next Monday.
Among those who expressed confidence
OF successful outcome for the workers
was w. b. Rubin of New York. for
merly OF Milwaukee, general counsel for
the committee. He said that in 1875 the
fcrefathers fought against taxation with
cut representation, and that IN the strike
the slogan would be mo labor without
representation"