The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-17
PITTSBURG'S MAYOR
CAN'T TRUST FOSTER
Plans Ultra Safe Stand on
Meetings Owing to Strike
Leaders, Reputation.
BEGAN OTHER TROUBLES
Lsborites Will Go to Court to
Obtain ''Free Speech and
Free Assemblage."
BEGAN OTHER TROUBLES

PrrrspURG, Oct. 1e.-Labor leaders
conducting the steel workers strike in the
Pittsburg district continued their prepa-
rations to-day to make legal attack
against authorities in Allegheny county
on the question of free speech and free
assemblage. which have been denied to
them, tire speakers charge. Papers have
been prepared and it is expected in
functions viii be applied for tomorrow
against officials in Pittsburg and Allie
sheny county and In some cities and
boroughs Of the county to restrain them
from interfering with local unions and
labor mass meetings. Applications for
injunctions, Il was said, might be APP
Piled for both in the county and Federal
courts.
Mayor E. v. Babcock issued a state
ment to-day in reply to a warning sent
him yesterday by counsel for the strikers
that legal action would be taken in case
Of unlawful interference with union
meetings.
Statement by the Mayor.
The Mayor said in a statement:
.aThat all may clearly understand my
position In the controversy raised by At
torney W. b. Rubin, representing among
others John Fitzpatrick, Chicago. chair
man, and William z. sF'oster. secretary
treasurer of the National Committee for
Organizing Steel Workers. over holding
meetings in the city of Pittsburg, de-
sire to say that I deem It for the best
interest of the city that no meetings be
held In the strike zones. I have given
orders to that effect
Peace and order In the city must
be maintained. The fact that Mr.. Foster
is continually in the city and had the
reputation of starting trouble IN other
places caused me to plan to be ultra
safe and conservative in the interest OF
the city of Pittsburg and all the people
inside Of its confines There is no OBJ
lection whatever to public meetings out
side of the strike zones in the city
limits"
The Mayor said the police department
10 maintaining order with a nrm nand
~but not with a rough or inhumar
hand"
The general situation Is excellent
said Secretary Foster tonight, with
prospects Of gains IN small communi'
ties to which We have been unable t6
give more attention heretofore. Only
the successful outcome Of the lesa
proceedings under way to secure free
places in the immediate vicinity OF
Pittsburg which are now crippled to g
less degree than mills elsewhere"
The national committee received {
long report giving conditions in thu
Chicago district. The situation there
from the strikers viewpoint. was re-
ported as very favorable.
Corporations had little to give out to
day regarding conditions In their mills
The Carnegie company announced tina
500 to 500 men. are daily seeking worl
in its Monongahela Valley plants. abou
half of whom are old employees. 1
was added that forty-one OF the com
pany's forty-eight blast furnaces wer,
In operation, seven being down on AZ
count of the strike.
Union Survey of Homestead.
Strike headquarters gave out what wa
ssid to be a report of actual conditions
as found on October IA by union mai
In the Homestead works of the Carnegi
company. 1t purported to give the mum
Der Of men found in the various depart
ments. In the blacksmith shop, 1t said
men were playing cards; open hearth
furnace No. 1 was lit up, but no one wa
working; in the 81 and 70 inch mil
men were wrestling and monkeyinl
around" Various departments were de
clared to be down tight"
Union leaders announced conference
for tomorrow at Youngstown. at whici
efforts will be made to settle with tn
Struthers Furnace Company.
A letter to Gov. Sproul from James
Maurer. president of the Pennsylvania
State Federation of Labor. regarding
conditions in western Pennsylvania, wa
made public tonight. The communica
ton Is in reply to one in which the Gov
ernor said he was sorry that Maurer Ii
a Chicago speech had conveyed wronl
impression of conditions as they exis
In Pennsylvania.
Maurer at great length details allege
unlawful acts by State and local polio
and other local authorities against strik
ers women and children. He submitte
ninety-eight affidavits, and referred tn
Governor to testimony taken by the Sen
ate investigating committee.