El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-25
S0LONS BEGIN
STRIKE PROBE
John Fitzpatrick Traces
History of Steel Labor
Conditions.

Continued from page II
that the corporation would not meet
the representative Of labor said
Fitzpatrick
after the steel situation had been
discussed at the June convention Of
the American Federation Of Labor,
president Gompers wrote chairman
Gary Fitzpatrick said. adding;
That letter was ignored absolutely
| There was no reply"
In continuing the steel workers or
gaaiZation, Fitzpatrick said. the union
organizers were Jailed and opposed
in every possible way Finally, on
July 20. he said. the "a steel unions
representatives decided to take a
strike vote Of the men,
Response Is Unanimous.
The organization responded unan-
imously," the witness continued
did YOU have the total number OF
men who voted on the strike asked
senator WOlcOtt Democrat Delaware
NO: each union got its own figures
and reported whatever percent had
voted for the strike. The average OF
the q unions was IS percent
Fitzpatrick said One-fifth Of
the men in the steel industry
were in the union when the vote
was taken, but added that when
the workers saw hope, 10000
more jOined.Y
Asked as TO the number now affil-
lated. he said 100000 had Joined the
strike.
we authorized a committee to ap-
proach judge Gary and get confer
ence." he said. He sent word asking
to be excused from a personal inter-
view. but saying we could submit our
proposals in writing We did 50, ana
got a letter from him saying that he
did not consider US TO be represen-
tatives OF the men"
Too Late To Call Off Strike.
IF judge Gary had consented TO
this conference would this strike have
been ealled?'' asked senator Kenyon
No"
IF Judge Gary consents now. will
the strike go on?'
Yes; they are going on now. in my
opinion. until they get Justice
AT that time. had the presidents
industrial conference been called?'
mo, IL had not"
Wed be interested in having you
tell US why you couldn't postpone the
strike until after that" continued
senator Kenyon.
The date had been set" Fitzpat.
rick said If we had waited we would
have been shot 10 pieces"
Tells of Woman Being Shot.
What do you mean by THAR
asked senator Smith. Democrat,
Georgia
An kinds Of fntimidations. through
the business men," Fitzpatrick said
Men given the choice Of tearing
up their union cards or quitting their
jobs Shot Ike Fannie Sellens. one Of
our organizers at Breckenridge. Pa"
Pressed for an explanation Fitz-
patrick introduced photograph Of a
dead woman.
@She spoke ut one OF our meet
inEs,7 he said. SWhen the gun
men shot an old man. she tried
TO protect some children with her
skirts Then the order was
given; XIII this one, TOO And
they shot her"
a news dispatch from PittsburE
on August % reported the killing OF Z
Miss Sellens. but said she was an &
organizer for the United Mine Work I
ers and was killed in a labor riot .
near the plant Of the Allegheny Coal I
and Coke company. near Brecken- /
ridge Pa It did not appear that ]
she was concerned in organization I
for the steel striker
AGED Picket shot Down.
Pointing his finger at various
members Of the committee and wav-
ing a photograph. Fitzpatrick said a
picket man 60 years Of age-was
shot down in cold blood. Several /
children. he said were attracted by /
the firing.
This woman" he continued. came
around the corner Of the allev and
saw the children Then the gunner
appeared she was AFRAID the chill
dren would be shot She reached
down and pulled I'D her skirts and
pulled them around the children
around corner. Immediately the
gunner fired and killed her"
Who were these gunmen2" asked !
chairman Kenyon
Gunner Hired ny Company.
They were employees OF the COM
pany-hired TO terrorize the commu-
mites Fitzpatrick answered. "The
deputy sheriffs and gunner are act
ing all together"
What you mean to say" said SEN
ator Walsh. Democrat. Massachu-
sets. is that directly. or indirectly. Z
these men were influenced or df-
rected by the steel corporation
Yes; they are mill guards" Fftz-
patrick replied
Public officials" asked senator
Welsh.
They are sworn in as deputy
sherlfts. the witness explained I'VE l
don't know where their pay comes
from"
1T is fact that shooting occurred /
IN connection with a coal strike and
before the steel trouble. isn't it7'
ked senator Phipps. Republican.
But she was shot TO put the fear
into our people" Fitzpatrick said
OFT OF DANGER