The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-22
Bands Of Workmen Employed in Pitts
burg District Strike Before Midnight
Because Of Trivial Disputes Between
Foremen and Labors-- Midnight Shifts
Fail to Appear in Some Of Shops.
Whole Steel District Is Under Armed Guard and
Eighteen Union Men Are Placed in Jail on
Charges Of Raising Observation-Disclosures OF
Constabulary Ride Through Crowds.

"a,
nokefed Allegheny valleys the great steel strike vii be
fact The opposing of the American Federation 81
the United States Steel corporation with LIS ass
companies facing each other with bitterness DOTH
of long enmity with emotions that may olaze lnto phys
ence at the first contact.
Bands of workmtn employed the Psburg district steel
mills strck before midnight though the official order makes
the strike effective when the morning shifts report Tor DUTY
Trivial disputes between foemen and aborers certain SHOPS
the premature wakout In others the men OF the mo
night shift simply failed to appear
It will he fortveight hours, both union and company Oh
fca agree full strength of the strike can De caicu
lated accuracy Many who will refuse to report Ior
work expected report Tuesday And many
the mills tomorrow expected to be persuaded dur
ing the day to quit. Is
Labor leaders have approached hundreds OF wives g wol.
during the past oryght hours with threats Ct trouble
they allowed their husbands to work after the strike cali
was asserted tonight by corporation officers.
The whole steel district from Youngstown to Johnstow
guard State and city officials of communities
numbering than 100 towns and villages are hourly swear
ing in additional officers of the law Mounted men, with re-
vover swinging from their belts ride through the streets an
from city city close military formation The sca1tered
populace regard them with fear and awe
At five, and SIX and o'clock tomorrow morning when
the dav shifts report for work. the crisis Will come.
Between 10000 and 100000 employed in the mills
The federation officers claim that fifty per cent will fail to
nort The eouanie 4elan that high ninety per
will march through the gates to the shops to report for
work.
in vivid fashion Clarion and McKeespor about twenty
miles from this city Throngs representing dozen OF the
twenty unions of the district filled two vacant lots to hear
Eighteen Are Arrested
Into the crowds squads constabu-
larry dashed welding clubs horseback poughed through
the huddled masses.
Eighteen of the union thrown into jail after the
audiences were dispersed None admitted TO bail per
tted confer with counsel all the charge was IN
citing to riot.
Mayor George FL vsle of, Mceerort asserted that the
meeting there was called in defiance his order forbiddins
public meetings of any kind while the strike pending He
said:
az don't care whether the men union nonunion;
have order don't know whether these were dis
orderly, but they had business to hold meeting.
Of shots fred during the melee at Charlton when
the conSabuary charged the Many heads
made by contact with the constables' clubs
William Foster secretary treasurer of the national
ttee organize steel and iron workers. addressing
every hand he urged keep away from the mills Go home
and acquainted with Go fishing Do anything
you lihe--but don t be disorderly''
Lawrence f. Rdde the members of the operating
board of the Carnegie company and superintendent Of the
Isabella Lucy and Neville Island plants said:
"We expect to operate all plants in full tomorrow
have been assured that ninety five per cent of
loyal If all report for the first morning shift the plants will
to full capacity IF half report will half capacity
less than half of the to work, the plant aactd
will shut down and remain shut down."
This is the position of virtually every corporation affected
and clear cut statement Of what they intend to do a.
plants shut the fires will be drawn banked vhch
that at least days will be required to start ths f
again:
Each plant will be distinct unit Forces win not be
shifted from partly manned plant to supplement the partial
working force OF another plant Each will be distinct and
crate close down. according the loyalty OF It's
declared tonight In other words the mill opara de
not intend using loyal workmen az strike breakers
raaat y