New-York tribune., 1919-09-22
Men Quit Mills
Ahead dofSchedule
Day Shifts Lighter. Than
Usual and Many Fail
to Report at N igh hit

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 21.-Although
strike effective tomorrow morning,
reports showed that steel companies in
the Pittsburgh district, at least, have
already felt the effect of the summons
The skeleton Sunday day shifts in
many plants were not as complete as
under normal conditions, and union
leaders said that large number of
men had decided not to report tonight
All plants in the McKeesport dis
tricts are under heavy guard tonight
SearfchligEts have been installed and
command al, entrances to the COM
pany's property.
No attempt was made by borough Of
tlclals to stop mass meeting tonight
in a hall at Homestead |. W. Reilly.
secretary of the Homestead district of
the American Federation of Labor, act
ed as chairman and told the mill men
that ga per cent of the iron and steel
workers in the plants of the Home
stead Steel Company, the Mesta Ma
chine Company, Harbison- Vale Re-
fractories Company and the keystone
Car Wheel Company had signed cards
to strike tomorrow. He cautioned the
men against any kind Of demonstration
or acts Of violence, saying such meth
DDS would iniurc their cause.
Foster Urges All to Strike
Secretary Foster of the steel work
ers' national committee also smoke to-
night in a Polish hall on the south
side of Pittsburgh.
"The man who makes steel to-mor-
row is a strike breaker" he told the
workers.
Pamphlets we're distributed at the
meeting containing statements said to
have been made by Rabbi Stephen S.
Wise, Of New York, in favor Of or
ganzed labor in the steel industry.
superintendent August Mann of the
American Steel and Wire Company's
wire plant at Donora said tonight that
the operation Of the mills is UP to the
men. "If they appear for work we will
operate the plant; otherwise we will
shut down. No strike breakers will be
employed" he said.
Night shifts in the steel and zinc de-
partments starting at 6 o'clock to-
night appeared in full force, it was
said.
f. r. Crawford, president Of the Nc
kcesport Tin Plate Company, with
works at Fort Nue, announced tonight
OF a meeting of citizens at that place
cease at midnight tonight for an in
definite period. More than $500 men
arc employed in the works.
Prepared for Long Fight
How the strike will end and what its
cost would be were questions that came
to the minds Of men when they real
izcd that the industrial conflict had ma
tcrlalizcd. National leaders of labor
unlons involved have long prepared for
the strike. They say they are prepared
for bitter battle and would not have
gone into it if they we're not sure they
could sustain the struggle. The Ques-
.ion of finance was discussed at the
last meeting Of the National Committee
for Organizing the Iron and Steel
Workers, and it was said a meeting of
the national unions will be held soon
to complete plans for the support of
the strike
Labor leaders were asked to-day if
they know of any efforts being made to
bring about a suspension Of the strike
now that it is on. They said they did
not. Up to the last minute there was
faint hope held out that President
Wilson might find way out, but moth
ing has come from him to the union
leaders.
Prepared to Run Plants
no information came from The cor
roration side of tho contest to-day
officials Of subsidiaries and independ-
on. concerns during the la It week de-
ciarod they would operate tht!r plante
il they cun. and they have made all
preparations TO do so and protect their
loyal workers and property. Guards
were on duty at all The steel mills in
this district. City and borough au-
thoritics throughout Allegheny County
were also prepared for any emergency.
Union leaders in their circulars and
otherwise have cautioned their men
against violence. "Thc American Fed
Grafton of Labor has won all its great
progress by peaceful and legal
methods,' says the strike order.
Strike Calls Posted
'Tarentum. breckenridge and \"
trona to-day were posted with card