South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-21
LOCAL PLANTS
Are CONFIDENT
Enough Steel on Hand or on
the Road to Last Some
Time.

The South Bend industries that
VIII be affected by the proposed
strike OF the steel workers. are all
confident they can withstand a strike
Of long duration.
While even the shortest strike will
curtail the output TO a certain ex-
tent, all have enough steel on hand
or upon the road 10 keep them run
ming for some length of time. With
an unlimited amount of steel on
hand, factories are needing various
grades daily and il is these small
items that will be the only trouble
raisers should the fOundries close.
The larger industries have sup
plies of steel to last them from thirty
TO ninety days while the smaller ones
Will require replenishment before
that time. But the small factory
has the advantage of being able TO
pick up enough steel in Chicago and
other centers to keep them running.
Will Not Give I'm.
II is the opinion of the greater
part that the steel companies will
not give in TO the demands of the
workers, thus leaving the burden of
action up TO the men, Should they
strike. it has been said. they will not
be allowed 10 return TO work at their
former wages. thus adjusting the ex-
ceedingly high wages that are now
, being paid TO steel workers. With
efforts being exerted everywhere TO
/ bring the high cost of living down,
the reduction of unnecessarily high
wages il is thought viii have the
sanction of the government in its
fight 10 reduce the cost Of living
W. W. Austin. factory superinten-
dent for the Studebaker corporation
stated they had from a thirty TO
ninety day supply of steel and would
be able 10 run for that length of
time. output being curtailed 10 a
certain extent if the strike is called.
! While a strike of. even few DAY S
would be felt. il would not be suf-
hcient 10 force them 10 shut down
and would probably be more keenly
felt some time after than at the time
the strike happened Mr.. Austin eN-
pressed the opinion that there would
not be a foundry running 10y Mon
day morning.
No Complete Tie Up.
A. A. Frederick, purchasing agent
of the Oliver Chilled Plow company
stated il was the policy OF the com
pany 20 keep a large enough sup
PLY OF steel on hand TO meet sudden
emergencies and that they would
run as long as possible should the
strike be called. However, he stated
he was not looking for a complete
tieup and was confident a settle
ment would be reached before any
/ lack Of supplies would be felt here
/ Mr.. Frederick also said that there
were various minor grades OF steel
/ that they needed from day 10 da>
and a strike of any duration would
/ restrict their production 10 a Ger
tain extent, but work would not be
I stopped.
II. L. Wolverton. purchasing agent
OF the Nalleable steel Range com
pany. stated the company had taker
+ ever. precaution TO protect itself IN
I case OF a strike All steel supplies
are under contract and, unless the
strike is of unusual duration, he Is
confident only a slight effect will be
felt. The factory is now working
full force and using its maximum
amount OF steel. but the outlook
/ shows favorable and the company Is
I prepared for strike as far as pos
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