The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-03

on long and arduous campaign IN an
effort to organize our mills, in which
threats. promises ana intimidation were
employed?"
But II as they claim they are not
attempting TO unionize all your men and
enforce the closed shop. then the situa-
tion is different from that which was
| presented to you at the time they asked
you for a conference" suggested Senator
Jones.
"If they say that now, why didn't they
4, say 1t then 2" demanded Judge Gary. Il
, wish your committee would ascertain
where in any place the unions are OPP
Grating and have contracts with the
owners of plants, and whore only a
minority are union men. ] don't know
a place where the unions acquiesce in
the rule of partly union and partly non
union employees" f
( 1T seems to me there is chance for
US to reach a common ground of agree
ment here" persisted Senator Jones.
! "If the men disclaim, as they do. their
intention to enforce the closed shop rule.
would you consider, on that basis a dis
cussion OF their twelve points of grew
ance and other matters that they want
to take up7"
THAT would not satisfy me-" replied
Judge Gary. 1T is contrary to all ex-
perience, and IL these leaders make such
a proposition in good faith, 1t would
mean that before long they would be
eliminated from their leaderships and
others substituted who would be ex-
! pected to organize all the men into the
unions. A mere statement Of that sort
would not satisfy me. have been in
formed that their plan is to unionize the
entire industry. 1 don't know now accu-
rate my information is. but It comes
from an important member of their or
ganization"
Nevertheless, the men have said that
the closed shop was not even suggested
by them" said Senator Jones' You
object because. first, you say they repre-
sent only minority of your men: and
second, because you believe they are az
tempting to establish the closed shop.
If we now eliminate the question of the
closed shop, ii seems to mo that we
might reach a basis for discussion and
agreement on the other matters"
Gary Gives Jones a Poser.
will you tell mo how you could elimi-
rate the closed shop proposition p
asked Judge Gary
mot being an authority on such mat
tiers, do not know the practical work
ings." replied Senator Jones.
IA mere statement doesn't eliminate
It," insisted Judge Gary. THE history
of unions and of strikes shows that It
can't be done. 1 have no, good opinion
of the conduct of strikes by unions, nor
OF some of the demands that are ad-
vanced by unions. l have no faith in
the union claims concerning the present
strike.
my information is that there are two
elements at work in the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor, and from the manner
In which this strike was started in the
effort to unionize the steer industry by
getting a minority of the men into the
union, then calling the strike and hand
ling the situation through threats in
timidation and assaults-which, l may
say. except for the courage of the officers
OF the law in indicating the community s
right to proper protection, would have
developed conditions In this country that
we would have greatly regretted must
say that / cannot deal with this subject
from the point of view which you take.
I believe in the exceptional circumstances
now existing every fair union man
should have said: There must be nc
strike at this time
"We cannot talk compromise or ar
hitration now. 1 am compelled to say
that, though I dislike to differ with the
apparent sentiment of this committee"
ION the record that has been made
here the representatives of the unions
have said that the closed shop was not
an ISSUE" said Senator Jones. You
have said that you were willing to main
tain the open shop, with union and non-
union men working together. The public
IL profoundly interested to have this
strike settled.
Il ut is unfortunate for the public and
for the steel corporation as well.
| judge. We are seeking for ground or
which all interests can be protected
This committee is not taking sides. If
understand you, there is only one solu-
, ton that seems possible to you
, IF I understand you correctly we
might as we'll end this examination right
here. If we can only permit this strike
, to wear itself out, IL no other solution
can be considered, then we might as vel
quit this examination now"
Sees No Result to the Inquiry.
That is clear and comprehensive
statement of the situation" replied
Judge Gary. you and l may differ a:
:. to the Interpretation Of existing public
! sentiment. You may be right and
wrong. But we are acting on our bes
: judgment and information and we be
lieve we are as loyal and faithful IL
considering the rights and interests o!
the public as are you gentlemen.
True, We are not as disinterested a!
: you are. The natural method of settle
3 ment is to leave everything open ant
free, everybody at liberty to act OF
natural laws and regulations as long a!
: all shall observe the law. believe tina
$ II the attitude of the public shall be t.
insist on strict observance of the Law
and rigid prevention OF breaches of TIN
g peace, so that all shall be protected II
t their rights, this difficulty will work 1t
: self out.
: IF either side IL transcendently II
error public sentiment will ultimatel.
I correct 1t. The fullest publicity has al
ways been our policy. I am sure tina
one OF the reasons for the public conf
dence that has been reposed in our cor
a poratlon is that we have always givel
= the fullest information to the public, an
= that we voluntarily allowed the Govern
ments representatives to examine al
our books and accounts. Public opin
ion is our strongest support
"If gentlemen like yourselves want t
accord special consideration to particu
= lar interests. you can accomplish you
Z purpose by passing general laws. Speak
ing for myself alone, not for the corpo
}, ration-for although 1 have very muc
a power use It very sparingly-I woul
not object to a law providing for incor
= poration and license, requiring the ap
pointment OF disinterested commtssio
n of qualified members to determine tn
conditions on which a corporation shoul
d get its charter or license. and to super
n wise the management, even to the con
- | duet NJ fha labor Drovidad that ones