Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-09-18
STEEL STRIKE
IS GIVEN CLEAR
COURSE BY MEN
Unless y. S. Corporation
Yields at Last Minute,
Begins Monday.
GARY ISSUES LETTER
DEFENDING OPEN SHOP

Pittsburgh. Sept. 17.-When the ma
tional committee for organizing iron and
steel workers. which met today to con-
slider matters in connection with the pro-
posed strike of steel workers. adjourned
until tomorrow morning, John Fitzpat-
rick, chairman Of the committee, made
the unequvocal statement that the walk
out would take place Monday morning
as decided upon. He said no action was
taken at today's meeting to postpone the
strike. He said a statement would be
issued by the association.
The meeting discussed the question Of
postponng the walkout until after the
industrial conference in Washington. be-
ginning Oct. 6, as requested by Pres
idcnt Wilson. Arguments were made
against postponement, on the ground
that the steel workers. having gone so
far in their campaign for settlement Of
grievances by collective bargaining, can
not turn back. Speakers said they would
not care to disappoint workers eager to
strike to win their demands. One speak
er said the union leaders would be ac-
cused by workers of having sold them
out"
No Picketing; Will Fish.
A report was circulated that Mr..
Gompers of the American Federation of
Labor. had been wired to come here
tomorrow but Chairman Fitzpatrick, to-
night, said the report was not true. Mr..
Gompers, according to report. is not un-
favorable to postponement if it will not
work injury to the steel workers.
Regarding the strike, Chairman F'itz-
patrick said:
There will be no picketing: the men
will 60 fishing. We will leave the mill
guards and professional gunmen run
the plants"
Last Minute Left Open.
Before going in the meeting, John
Fitzpatrick. Chicago, chairman of the
national committee, said that unless there
was "last minute telegram from Ell
bert Fl. Gary chairman of the board of
the United States Steel corporation. no
postponement Of the strike. as requested
by President Wilson until after the in
dustrial conference at Washington, Oc-
tober g. would be considered.
Fitzpatrick said the men were fully
organized and prepared to walk ont next
Monday.
Not Combating Unions.
The Carnegie Steel company. today,
gave out letter from f. H. Gary.
chairman of the United States Steel
corporation. addressed TO the presidents
forth reasons of the corporation for
declining to deal with labor unions and
explaining their attitude toward the
concern.
The letter states that the corpora
ton does not combat labor unions as
such that it does not negotiate with
unions. because it would indicate the
closing Of the shops against non union
labor.
1T is the settled determination Of the
United States Steel corporation and its
subsidiaries. the letter states. that
the wages and working conditions Of
their employees shall compare favorably
with the highest standard of property
and justice"
Open Versus Closed Shop.
The letter says in part:
THE principle Of open shop is vital
to the greatest industrial progress and
prosperity. 1t is of equal benefit to EN-
ployer and employe. 1t means that every
man may engage in any line Of employ
ment that he selects, and under such
terms as he and the employer may
agree upon; that he may arrange for
the kind and character of work which |
he believes will bring to him the largest
compensation and the most satisfactory
conditions, depending upon his own
merit and disposition.
"The closed shop means that no man |
can obtain employment in that shop
except through and upon the terms and |
conditions imposed BY the labor unions
He is compelled to join the labor unions
and to submit to the dictation of its I
leader. He is then restricted as to place /
OF work. hours Of work (and therefore I
amount of compensation and ad- |
vancement in position regardless Of
merit: and some times by the dictum |
Of the union leader called out and pre-
vented from working for days or weeks,
although he has no real grievance and /
his family are suffering for want Of the
necessities of life. Personal ambition to |
succeed and prosper is stifled