Evening star., 1919-09-27
BETHLEHEM STEEL
STRIKE IS ORDERED,
+ TOSTART MONDAY
Nearly $4,000 Men Will Be
! Affected by Action of
Union Leaders.
BEGINNING OF WEEK
TO BRING HARD TEST
Both Sides in Great Struggle Ex-
press Optimism-Railroad
Men to Meet.

A general strike in the plants Of the
Bethlehem Steel Company was ordered
today. :
The first week Of the great steel
strike ended today with the situation
waited with keen anticipation for
Monday. when a crucial test will be
afforded of the claims of the oppo-
nents' respective strength.
Steel company offlciais professed
the fullest confidence that the open
Ing of another working week would
see such defections in the ranks of
the strikers that the back of the
unions resistance would be broken.
Leaders of the strikers were equally
optimistic in their predictions that
the ranks of their followers would
not be seriously preached.
In the meantime the strike generals
were neglectinE no effort to strength
en- their position in anticipation Of
the coming test. Mass meetings were
held today and will be continued to-
morrow throughout the Pittsburgh
district. the strategic center of the
sstrove increasingly TO gain recruits
and fortify the resolution of their
existing forces.
Results at Other Points.
The strikers were encouraged by
the fact that the unsponsored meet
which it was announced the men
would vote on the Question Of return
ing to work, have so far resulted in
no relief of the Industrial paralysis
which has gripped the M4honinE VAL
ley. On the other hand. steal olicials
IN the Chicago district continued their
claims that Increasing numbers OF
men were returning to work and
announced the reopenint Of more
mills at Gary. as s1
Rumors Of the pending spread Of
the strike to allied Industries con-
finues, but without definite basis on
which to form concluston. 4 mast
brotherhood has been announced 1T
YeunEstown. -far.E6sno4r0.Ns het= the
purpose Of the meeting II not Stated.
10 Strike At BsthleAsm Plants.
PITTSBURGH, September z7.-The
national committee for organising
iron and steel workers at o meeting
here today ordered q general strike
in the plants Of the Bethlehem Steel
Company to become effectfve next
; Monday morning at O'Clock.
Secretary William 2. Foster Of the
committee, in announcing the strike.
said that between 10000 and $4,000
z men were expected to be affected. He
asserted the Bethlehem plants were
among the best organized in the coun-
try. 49,
z The committee, with John Fitxpat.
rick, chairman, present. met in spe-
cial session to consider the reply Of
E. G. Grace. president Of the Bethle-
hem Steel Company. to the unions
demand for conference. Mr.. Grace
In his reply said that he would not
grant a conference to the union and
that he would not abandon the pres
ent system Of collective bargaining
with employees which was adopted by
the company during the war.
youngstown Effort to Resume.
YOUNGSTOWN. Ohio. September q.
Following a canvass Of employees
as they received their pay today, Of
ncials of the Ohio works Of the Car
negie Steel Company here announced
that an attempt will be made on Mon
day to reopen the mill. The an
nouncement marks the first effort at
resumption in the Mahoning valley
since the steel strike caused all fits
plants to close.
A mass meeting Of all the railroad
brotherhoods has been called for Sun
day afternoon. No announcement has
been made as to the purpose of the