The sun., 1919-10-01
'UNTERMYER URGES
GRACE TO SEE MEN
Bethlehem's Largest Share
holder Calls Gary's Attitude
"Indefensible."
SAYS CAPITAL is UNWISE
Steel Workers Offer to Make
Lawyer Sole Arbiter Of
Differences.

Samuel Untermyer. one OF the larg-
est stockholders in the Bethlehem Steel
Corporation, has urged officials of that
corporation not to follow the methods
Of the United States Steel Corporation
in dealing with. officials of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. In series
Of communications to Eugene @. Grace
president of the Bethlehem, he asserts
that sin these days labor's right to
collective bargaining through its own
agencies can no longer be successfully
denied" and that capital is simply
adding fuel to the fire" by combating
such a right.
1t was disclosed yesterday that John
Fitzpatrick and W. B. Rubin, leaders
In the steel strike, sent a message to
Mr.. ,UntermSer on September ~ asking
him to use his influence to prevent a
strike and offering to agree to let him
act as sole arbiter. Mr.. Untermyer
sent this wire to President Grace:
Il have just received the following
telegram from Pittsburg signed by John
Fitzpatrick and w. b. Rubin: The
Bethlehem steel men will strike on Mon
day for the reason that President Grace
has refused to meet representatives at a
conference to- present grievances at
their employees request May we ask
you to use. your influence as a large
stakeholder to bring it to their attention
and have the matter submitted TO
arbitration We have such confidence
In you that we would be even willing
to let you sit as Judge or arbitrator
or have you devise any means whereby
Bethlehem and It's employees can get
together for arbitration and settlement.
Wire reply to w. b. Rubin, lillian
Penn Hotel, Pittsburg'
II there is any possible way In which
you believe L may be of service please
wire me here at Greystone 1t seems
Incredible that there should not be some
way OF averting this strike. The meet
ing Of these men In conference does not
involve recognition of their right to
speak for their members So long as
language Is at your disposal, surely your
position can be adequately safeguarded.
"(Signed) SAMUEL UNTERMrER"
Grace Regrets Plea.
To this President Grace replied as fol-
lows
Samuel Untermyer, Greystono, Yonkers.
The representations Of Messrs Fitx-
patrick and Rubin to you are totally
without foundation.
We have In cooperation and by
agreement with our employees installed
system Of employees representa- ton In
every employee an opportunity to deal
with the management on ali conditions
under which they render service.
we never refuse TO meet with our
men In conference, but will not consent
to meet with members of the national
committee of the American Federation
ofLabor. whose sole purpose in seeking
an Interview ia TO have US substitute an
agreement with them to represent our
An fnn
have with our men to deal direct with
them.
They the American Federation OF
Labor-are interlopers, trying TO cause
strife In the ranks of our loyal en-
ployees, and II you knew the whole
facts of the case i am sure YOU would
approve our position. There are no
differences between the large majority
Of our employees and the management
and we have no fears as 10 the result OF
the interference off Mr.. Fitzpatrick and
his associates in our affairs.
1T will give me great pleasure at the
first opportunity to tell you all OF the in
side facts OF the present attack on the
steel ndustry-particularly In respect to
Bethlehem interests.
"E. @. GRACE"
In response Mr. Untermyer said
Thanks for your message, which /
have carefully considered and which
doubtless has elements Of great force
from your point OF view. Bit is there
not another side to this as to most ques-
tons?
There may be many of your mer
who. left to their own choice, wisely or
unwisely, would prefer to be represented
in their own way rather than through a
form of representation supplied by their
employer.
Attacks Gary's stand.
Frankly, consider as unwise and
lndefensible (Gary's action In refusing 70
confer with an organization that, al
though newly formed and against great
Obstacles, admittedly already repro