New-York tribune., 1919-10-04

branches of the steel industry effected
by the strike have quit work.
This strike arose from the refusal
of conference by the companies,' y
Foster said "The strike was not post
poned at the request OF the Pre- sident
because while in some plants we might
have been able to postpone it there
were whole groups of plants where the
companies were carrying on the policy
Of Wholesale discharges of the men.
The men would have struck II 1t had
been postponed
Foster said he was in harmony with
most of Gomberss views now. II am
not 100 per cent in harmony with his
views, but | am on most of them he
said.
Mr.. Gompcrs was called to the wit
ness stand FOR a short time. He ex-
planned that the small vote cast for a
strike was due 10 the bylaws of most
OF the labor organizations that re-
qured three months membership be
fore a union laborer was entitled to
vote. and most Of the steel workers
were organized just before the strike
was called.
The committee also heard Michael f,
Tighe, president Of the Union Of Iron
Steel and Tin Workers.
81 was very much put out yesterday
by Judge Gary's refusal to compromise
or arbitrate this issue" said Tighe. "He
is sowing the seeds of anarchy: pro-
noting the insidious doctrine that
there is no way out OF industrial diff
ficuties except by the destruction of
one side or the other
Tighe Contradicts Gary
Giving detailed history of union
activities in the steel industry, Mr
Tighe told the committee that the
United States Steel Corporation in
stead of "leading the van in advancing
wages, as Judge Gary has claimed, has
Jagged behind our organlzation.'
Conformation given TO You by Judge
Gary" Tighe said. "was not trst-hand
evidence gained from practical knowl-
edge Of the industry, but, instead con
sisted Of the statements made to him
by his employees, foremcn and super
intendents 1t was lar and away from
being the truth about the industry"
Tighe repeated the Charge that Che
Steel Corporation early nits history
had appropriated S20,000,000 to fight
unions. and gave names of his in
formants The unions, he said, had
never sought the "closed shop" but
union shops"
"When the management signs con
tract as to scales and working COndl-
tions, it is union shop he explained
"The effect is the same as a closed
shop. isn't t?' asked Senator Sterling
Republican, of South Dakota.
"No," said Tighe. 1--WE are not ask
ing for closed shops and never have.
"This strike was called" Tighe said
"because Judge Gary would not gram
the request for conference with the
twenty four unions. If he had done
that there would have been no strike.
Blames L. W. w. Agitators
"Why could not it be delayed at tht
Presidents request asked Chairman
Kenyon.
because there were a number of /
w. ". organizers among the men,
said Tighe.
"If we had delayed, they would have
said that the American Federation OF
Labor could not do anything. They
were getting some influence, and woulc
have succeeded in calling some sporadic
strikes anyway"
"Then, in the last analysis, the T
W. w caused this strike said Sen
ator Sterling.
ooh, don't take that view,' Tighc re
sponded "lt' we had got a conference
we would have had something to SHOW
these men that their interests were
being protected, and could have helc
them on the job