Arizona republican., 1919-09-20
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY IN PRE-STRIKE FORECASTS---
 SCATTERING GROUPS QUIT.
Workers and Employers Express Confi- dence In Ultimate Outcome---Test of
 Strength Between Organized Labor and
 Capital Expected Early In Controversy
ERspusI.ean A. ?. Leased wIrel

for the test of strength between organ ized labor and capital in the steel in- dustry throughout the United States to begin Monday, went forward today with both sides apparently confident of the outcome. There were no official state ments forthcoming from either side, but informal talks indicated that they were ready for the contest
 Representatives of steel companies in the Pittsburg district let it be known that they intend to operate their plants Monday and also let the impression go out that they do not look for so large a waIkout as the union leaders assert win take place. Organized labor ex- poets a big turnout of men and predicts that the employers will receive the sur prise of their lives. Neither side will venture figures. Both frankly con fessed they do not know how many men will remain at work or fail to an- swer the whistle. Monday only can tell, they said.
 Steel companies in many cases are understood to have canvassed their men to get an idea of the number of men who will strike. Union leaders said that from their experiences these can vases usually prove to be inaccurate and pointed to past strikes where a majority of men in a plant have signed up not to strike and then quit when the time came.
 Some Men Have Quit Already
 It was said tonight that in num- ber of plants some men have already quit and sought work in other places. It was expected by union leaders here that many men on the night shifts to- night will take their personal belong ings out of the mills at quitting time tomorrow morning, as many of them do not work Saturday and Sunday nights.
 All the national leaders of unions involved in the strike had left the city tonight for their respective headquar- tcrs, to make final plans for the strike and much Of the activity about the offices of the steel workers national committee had to do with the prepara- tons in the Pittsburg district. While national headquarters are in this city in charge of William z. Foster, secre- tary of the national committee, it was learned that much of the work will be conducted by districts. These dis tricts and the men in charge, Mir. Eos ter said. are as follows:
 Chicago, E. J. Evans; Cleveland. H. W. Raisse; Youngstown, J. E. McCad- den; Inner Pittsburg. J. l.. Beaghan; Outer Pittsburg, J. McCaig Bethle- hem, David Williams; Buffalo, H. c. Thompson Birmingham, Ala. E. s. Ingram Pueblo. Colo. w. II. Young
 Reports of strike developments will be made to these districts and if im- portant enough, will be forwarded 10 national headquarters.
 Mir. Poster, in answer 10 queries said that all men in non-union mills have been asked to strike. None will be left to preserve company property such as keeping up furnace fires and preventing ore from cooling, he said. "Thc companies have had 12 days notice of the strike" he said. "and if they have not arranged to look after their furnaces, it is not our fault"
 It was given out here that an i'm portant meeting of the executive coun- ci of the American Federation of La bor and representatives of the unions in tho strike will be held probably in Pittsburg within two weeks. Ques- tons of financing the contest, it was said, would be taken up. According to the letter addressed to President Will son last night by the national con- nittee. the unions cooperating in the strike have a total membership of two millions. Members of these unions not involved in the strike will be expected 10 assist fellow members.
 M F. Tighe, international president Of the Algamated Association of Iron. Steel and Tin workers, said today his organization which is the largest mum erically in the steel industry, has many agreements with employers and that none of these will be affected by the walkout. Manufacturers identified with the Western Bar Iron association. scattered around the country will not be affected because they have work ing agreements with the Algamated association.
 Some of the committies in the Pitts burg district are quietly preparing to maintain peace during the strike. In Mckeesport the mayor, in connection with business men, has volunteer force to assist the police. Plants that are not shut down will be picketed by strikers. it was said and local police will endeavor to prevent clashes be- tween men going to work and those who quit. Patrols of the Pennsylvania state police, 1t was said here tonight. have been selected and will be on duty in the Allegheny valley near Bracken- ridge, at Homestead, between McKees- port and Duquesne, at Clarion and about Rankin and Braddock.
 Word came from Monessen today that the plant of the Pittsburg Steel company at that place was closed yes terday after 800 men, mostly foreign CTS, quit work.
 According to superintendent of the plant the shutdown was due to lack of orders, but men employed there said it followed the walkout of a for eigner. When he quit, the workers said, 500 others left their jobs, and The company scenting possible trouble shut down the entire works.