The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-09-25

PITTSBURGH. Pa Sept s&-The
fsht Of the striking steel workers IN
the Pittsburgh district for the right OF
free speech and free asSemolage VIII De
carried to the United States Senate
John Fitzpatrick. Of Chicago. Chairman
OF the national committee TOT orsan.a,
ing iron and steel workers, announced
here tonight at the close OF the com
mittee meeting. He said that he would
leave at once for Washington to present
the strikers appeal to the Senate com
nittee investigating the strike. oetore
which he will testify tomorrow.
Mr. Fitzpatrick declared that the sit
uation was critical in this district be-
cause OF brutal assaults by the state
police on strikers. He charged that
they had dubbed and ridden down
women and children ut Clarion, Home
stead and McKcesport.
Although disinclincd to talk about
the committee meeting today. Secre-
tary William II. Foster. OF the commit
tee said that a subcommittee haG been
OF the four railroad brotherhoods "a
discuss matters pertaining TO the
strike" He refused TO go into partic-
ulars.
According to Mr.. Foster. another
committee was appointed to meet with
sheriff william 5. Haddock. Of .Nlle-
gheny county and make protest
against the actions OF the state troop
ers
Several members OF the national COM
mittcc will remain in Pittsburgh 10 act
in an adyisoIe' capacity in conducting
tho strike. Mr.. Foster said The main
committee adjourned without date.
Highly PLEASED.
When asked regarding the progress
Of the strike. Mr.. Fitzpatrick said that
ne was highly pleased with reports and
that the mills were shutting down
throughout the country He said the
Homestead situation was we'll in the
control Of the union and that the plants
there were closing. although the Car
negtc company WIS making hard
fight to keep them In operation. He
charged that the company was running
the rolls without steel in an, effort TO
make q pretcnse OF operating
Mr.. Fitzpatrick declared that the
strike was the unions answer to Judge
GarY's declaration that 1t did not rep.
resent the majority Of the employees OF
the United States Steel corporation
We have concluSiVrly proved that MIR.
Cary Is wrong, he said.
When asked IL he would communicate
with Mr.. Gary and again Demand con-
ference. Mr.. Fitzpatrick said that he
would not.
When Mr.. Gary refused to comply
with the request Of the President OF
the United States. We feel that in call
ing this strike We arc supporting the
government. SaiQ tue StTlkc
He said the next move" was up To
Mr.. Gary and that the 'only possible
hope for settlement would be the
granting OF the steel mems request for
3 conference.
The steel strike has the support Of
the American Federation OF Labor. Mr..
Fitzpatrick went on to say. Reports
circulated 10 the contrary are mtslead-
ing and false he added
UltiInafum TO Bethlehern.
According to Secretary Foster con-
siderable part Of the committees time
to-day was taken up with a discussion
OF the Bethlehem Steel Companys case
He said that the company had been sent
an uitimatum demanding that the union
be granted conference AT once. II no
reply IS received from the Bethlehem
officials by o'clock tomorrow after
noon h" indicated that strike whnld
be called in the plants Of that company.
"~Th~ Bethlehem plants which employ
N" best organized In the country" NJ.
Foster asserted.
Mr. Foster said that no had no, re-
Investigating committee TO appear be-
fore that body in Washington TO answer
charges made by Representative Cooper.
Of Youngstown. o.. that he was "rad!-
cal agitator."
when the invitation comes I will
gladly accept the opportunity to ap-
near before the committee" said Mr..
Foster.
There is no possibility OF 4 general
strike growing out OF the steel work