The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-10-23
Steel Mills Resuming Production
and Strikers Losing Ground
Every Day.
GARY SAYS NO COMPROMISE
Tells Senate Committee Corporation
Will Never Deal With Unions
Lockout and Strike of Printers
In New York-War Over
Fiume Is Imminent.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.


President Wilson is every sick
man." according to his physician, Rear
Admiral Grayson. After consultation
with Drs. Dercum of Philadelphia and
Ruffin and Stitt of Washington, it was
announced that absolute rest was es-
sential for some time. 1t was reported
that an operation of some sort would
be performed.
Despite the confident assertions of
Fitzpatrick, Foster and other union
leaders, the developments of the week
In the steel strike went to strengthen
the belief that the battle will be won
by the employers. The mills at Gary
kept increasing their production until
1t was said to have reached so per cent
Of the normal, and many other plants
in that district, including South Chi
cago, reported that their workers were
returning. The Indiana Steel COM
Iany at Gary, for instance. was Oper-
aiing on Thursday with about 5000
men, or half the usual force. and the
Mark Manufacturing company, employ
ing between 5000 and 5000 men, was
preparing to reopen its plant with
large force. The strikers still out in
that area were growing restless as they
saw their fellow workers returning by
the thousands, and feared they would
lose their places permanently.
In the Pittsburgh region there was
rot much change in the situation. At
tile opening of the week the strike
against the Bethlehem company, the
largest independent steel concern in
the country, began, but 1t was far from
successful. A few Of the company's
departments in its various plants were
closed, but most of them were oper-
ating as usual, though with somewhat
reduced forces. The Pennsylvania
state police had the situation well in
hand and violence was quickly sup
pressed.
Judge Gary, appearing before the
senate committee on labor, made it
clear that there is no hope of arbitra-
ton or other amicable settlement of
the strike, for the United States Steel
corporation intends to fight the unions
to a finish. He said the issue is the
open shop against the closed shop, in
volving the right of employers to hire
whom they please; that the closed
shop is immoral, meaning decreased
production, higher prices and national
decay; that the Steel corporation will
never recognize the unions or contract
with them, and that 1t will never deal
with union leaders as such. He de-
clared the corporation does not object
to it's employees organizing, and is will
ing at all times to grant them hearings
concerning grievances. He told of the
wages paid the employees and what
the corporation has done in the way
Of housing them. The average wages
excluding administration and selling
forces have advanced from $2.88 on
July 1, 1914, to 1927 on July 1, 1919,
Judge Gary was followed on the
stand by William 2. Foster, who is
considered by many as the real leader
Of the strike.
Another labor dispute that will be
felt by the entire country is centered
in New York. A simultaneous lockout
and strike took place in some $50 print
ing and publishing plants which put
out virtually all the trade publications
and magazines issued in that city ard
a large percentage of the books. Ten
thousand members of local printing
trades unions were thrown out of work.
The action followed the refusal of the