Republican farmer., 1919-10-03
Detilolelrl
 Decision
 
Three Important Matters Affecting Big Strike
 Develope Today.
DEBATE SYMPATHETIC
 STRIKE OF SAILORS

Three important developments were pending today in the steel strike. any one of which may have a vital bearing on the outcome of the great industrial struggle
 In Pittsburgh the national steel workers committee was to meet late today and a definite decision was eX- pected in regard to calling out the 900 workers in the Bethlehem steel plants on Monday. Although the company officials have so far shown no inclination to compromise, local union officials at Allentown ex- pressed optimism over the prospect of the strike being averted.
 In Youngstown, where the strikers have succeeded in completely tying Up the steel industry in the Mahon- ing Valley district, meetings were an nounced of unskilled and seni-skilied workers to discuss the question of re- turning to work. Some mystery en- veloped these meetings, as both the strike leaders and the mill managers professed to know nothing of theiF origin.
 The third development was promis- ed at Cleveland, where the executive committees of the great lakes ship ping unions, claiming to represent 1S,000 seamen, engineers and men of allied trades, met to decide whether their organizations would declare Q sympathetic strike. Such a strike already had been authorized by the international unions.
 With conditions in the steel cen ters remaining practically unchanged, the Senate investigation at Washing ton was the focus of attention both sides
 The usual conflicting claims were made by the opposing generals in the pivotal battlegrounds of Pitts burgh and Chicago, but all definite news indicated no important change in conditions. At Pittsburgh two additional small plants closed and an attempt to reopen a third was re- ported by the police to have failed. The corporation officials made the customary claim that strikers con- tinued to return to work at various points.
 The management of the Illinois Steel Company at Chicago announced that they had 4,000 men at work, most of whom, they asserted, were re- turned strikers. On the other hand the strike leaders offered figures as proof that the strike was 100 per cent effective at several points, 90 per cent. at Hammond, 95 at Gary and 98 at Indiana Harbor.
 Allentown. Pa., Sept 26-Notwith- standing the refusal of E. G. Grace, president of the Bethlehem Steel Company, to negotiate with the steel workers national committee, a feel ing of optimism prevailed here today and it was hoped that strike of the company's employees may yet be averted or at least postponed. A strike had been ordered for next Monday unless officials of the com pany granted the unions request for a conference by p. m. yesterday. This request was refused by MT. Grace, who notified the national com mittee that the Bethlehem Company would not depart from it's present system of collective bargaining. Un- der this system, he said, the men have an opportunity to take up griev- ances with the officials of the com pany at any time.
 Pittsburgh, Sept. 26.-State troop CTS and steel workers exchanged shots early today in the woods between Clarion and North Clarion, accord ing to reports received here. No one was injured. The troopers arrested
 
 them in the Clairton police station.
 The path through the woods con- meeting the two towns has for several days been infested with men who take shots at loyal workers going to the steel plants The state troopers were patrolling the path when fired upon.
 All was quiet at strike headquarters today.
 Pittsburgh, Sept. 26-Interest ir the steel strike situation in the Pitts burGh district today centered about the fight of the union for ''the right of free speech and free assembla ge' in Allegheny county a question which had been prominent for months, anG which was brought to the head by the walkout of steel workers. Ac- cording to union representa- atives, au- thorities of certain cities and town: in the county have refused to gram permits for the holding of mass meet ings and have sanctioned the break ing up of such sessions by state troop: and local police in many instances.
 The action of troops and other of ficia1s in forcing the suspension o. what union leaders term ''orderly ant lawful meetings" since the strike started has caused the workers to ap peal to Sheriff W1ll1am B. Haddock with the request that county authorf ties afford them protection I'm troopers maintain that in breaking III the meetings, they are carrying out recent proclamation by the sheriff. il which the gathering of more thar three persons at any one point with in the strike zone is forbidden
 Chicago, Sept. 26.---Despite appear ance of added industry at severa steel mills in the Chicago district statements of directing heads that eIn- playes were returning to work in suf ficient numbers to permit operations in some departm were met by de- nia1s of defections from the strikers ,sanks by labor leaders.