The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-21
BOTH SIDES LINED UP
FOR BIG STEEL FIGHT
No Talk of Using Strike
Breakers in Pittsburg.

PrrrsBuRG, Sept. 20-The eve OF the
nationwide strike in the steel industry
finds both sides in the contest appar-
emily prepared for the battle. Final ar
iangemehts were rushed to-day, the cor
porations paying much attention to
plans for guarding their property and
tho union leaders continuing their in
tensive campaign to unionize morgan
lied men and urging others to stand by
the workers.
Expressing confidence that the unions
have not the power to compel general
shutdown, officials of the United States
Steel Corporation. the main subject OF
attnck of labor, and of other steel COM
panies said they would blow their
whistles as usual Monday morning and
try to operate their plants. They frankly
admit they will do their best, and IL
SUFFICIENT men do not report, which they
do not concede. they will shut down un-
I'll such time as they can command
enough men to make 1t worth while TO
start again.
There is no talk OF bringing strike
breakers into this district in the event
the unions cripple or close down the
plants. 1t is said the larger corpora
tons prefer to remain closed than cause
unnecessary turmoil lldL SOlncllhlcS lOi-
lows such a move.
Municipal and borough officials in
many parts OF the Pittsburg district
prepared to-day to meet the situation
and have taken precautions to maintain
law and order in their communities.
Mayor Forbids Strike Meeting.
A mass meeting Is scheduled for Nc
Keesport tomorrow. The Mayor said 1t
cannot be held. w. z. Foster, secretary
of the steel workers national commit
tee. said 1t would take place as sched-
uled. but he would not say where.
Proclamations were issued by various
Burgesses. but were confined to the
usual legal form OF calling upon all citi-
zens to keep the peace. The Pittsburs
police authorities have also laid plans
to maintain order around the iron and
steel mills within the city limits.
The Sheriff of Allegheny county has
had Deputy Sheriffs at the corporation's
steel plants swearing In many loyal
workers to do guard duty. Each deputy
It is said. gave a bond Of $4,000, fur
nished by the corporation.
The Jones' & Laughlin Steel Company
second only in size to the Steel Corpora
ton in the Pittsburg district, had no
information to give, out regarding II
6tr1ke plans Deyond the mere statement
that Il would continue to operate its
works as long as 1t can.
Beyond the coming and going of or
Eanizers preparing for the holding OF
mass meetings In all steel communities
tomorrow, there was little information
to be had at national labor headquarters
from points outside the Pittsburg dis
trict. Secretary Foster said he had no
reports from other parts Of the country.
Faint Hope OF Settlement.
Despite all the preparations for the
strike by both sides there was still q
faint hope in some quarters that the
conflict may yet be averted. When this
was brought to Mr.. Fosters attention
he shook his head and said there was
not a chance Of stopping the walkout.
President Wilson's name is still fire.
quently heard in the talk of possible
Intervention.
The Sharon Steel Hoop Company at
Sharon, Pa, issued statement to its
employees that the plant will open Mon
day. but that In the event OF a strike
operations will cease.
After a conference with NJ. r. TiEhe.
president OF the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers,
]. NJ. Scott. president of the Wheeling