The sun., 1919-09-17
STEEL MEN TO
DECIDE TO-DAY
National Organizers Assem-
bling in Pittsburg to Con-
slider Wilson's Plea.
WORKERS ARE RESTLESS
Some Leaders Favor Delay but
Others Insist Time Is
Right for Strike.
WORKERS ARE RESTLESS


postponing the big iron and steel strike
called for September 20 is to be decided
tomorrow at the meeting of the ma
tional organizing committee of the
American Federation of Labor. At
this meeting final action will be taken
as to whether the strike machinery.
already fully prepared. will be started
next Monday or whether the strike
will be deferred at the request of
President Wilson until after the labor
conference which meets in Washington
October 6.
Questioned as to the probable action
of the conference tomorrow NJ. F.
Tighe, secretary of the Amalgamated
Association Of Iron, Steel and Tin
retary of the national organizing COM
mittee Of the American Federation of
Labor, stated that in so far as they
had been able to determine the senti-
ment of the heads of the twenty-four
unions involved had not changed one
whit since the President made his re-
quest on Samuel Gompers for a post
ponement of the strike.
Mr.. Foster said: Naturally the Steel
Corporation would want the strike post
poned. They are doing everything pos
sible to rid themselves Of union men
at the present time. The longer the
strike is held OF the better they will
be fortified against it."
Fifty union organizers for western
Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio met this
afternoon to discuss final plans for the
strike. These men have been delegated
to bear the burden OF keeping the union
machinery running smoothly during the
walkout If it takes place.
Opposition to Postponement.
PITTsFuRG, Sept. le.-Supporters OF
the plan TO postpone the steel workers
strike, called FOR next Monday, until
after the Industrial conference to be
held at Washington, october 6, will en-
counter firm opposition when the sub
ject is considered by the National Com
mittee for Organizing Iron and Steel
Workers, at its meeting here tomorrow,
The meeting. which will be attended
by representatives of twenty-four labor
unions interested in the iron and steel
industry. was called primarily to make
final plans for initiating the strike in
all mills OF the country not working
under union agreements. But, since the
call was issued movement has been
started to have the strike deferred, as
requested by President Wilson, until
after the industrial conference.
The Amalgamated Association OF
Iron. Steel and Tin Workers. one Of the
largest organizations among the affili-
ated unions, will enter the meeting sup
porting the strike next Monday The
executive board OF the Amalgamated AS
sociation met here to-day, and while
nothing officially was given out, 1t is
understood the sentiment of the meeting
was that now is the time to strike. 1t
was pointed out by leaders that II the
industrial conference should fail 1t will
throw the strike back almost on the
threshold of winter.
Leaders Fear WaIkout Anyway.
Fear was expressed by some union
men that II the strike is postponed the
leaders could not prevent a walkout.
The radical element among steel work.
ers 1t was said at union headquarters,
would use a postponement TO further
the interests of organizations outside of
the American Federation of Labor.
Board members of the Amalgamated
Association said that certain steel COM
panies are discharging men for union
activity and that they did not feel they
could support postponement while this
alleged discrimination is going on.
On the other hand, there are elements
In the committee that considered II a
matter of wisdom to follow the wishes
of President Wilson. 1t would place the
organization in a position. 1t was pointed
out, Of having exhausted all means to
prevent a strike before ordering a walk
out
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, who is a
member of the national committee, will
not attend the meeting tomorrow but
will be represented. Mr.. Gompers is re-
ported as favoring postponing the strike
II 1t will cause no injury to the workers