New-York tribune., 1919-09-23

that 67,500 men had obeyed the strike
call the total being distributed as fol-
lows: Gary, Ind, $4,000; Indiana Har-
Dor, Ind, 1000; South Chicago, 10000;
Joliet. Chicago Heights. H., 1000;
Hammond, Ind, 5000; Evanston, H.,
l,50o; Waukcgan. H., $500; Milwaukee
Wis, 5000; Sterling, Ill.,, 1000; De
kalb, ILL.,. 1900.
At Gary the men who had formed the
for the night and it was intimatcd
that they would not be asked to 20
home while the strike was in progress.
In South Chicago late in the day
it was learned that the Wisconsin
Steel Mills of the International Har-
vester Company were closing down. In
a statement the company said the ac-
ton was taken upon recommendation
of the elected Representatives of the
employees. although nine -tenths OF the
working force was on duty at the usual
hour
The works council of the plant, the
recommending closing because "somo
Of the plants in the district were
practically closed down and because
OF the nationwide extent of the strike
and the consequent possibility of VIC
lcnce and interference with any plans
to continue operating"
The plant normally employs about
1000 men, it was stated.
Al Waukcgan the night shift was
not called to the plant of the Amcri-
can Steel and Wire Company. The
concerns officials said that 30 per cent
of the iS00 employees were at work TO-
day. The union Offset this with re-
port of what they said was an actual
count of all employees, clerical and
official and hands who entered the
gates. This total was announced as
1872. Tho union leaders said they had
arranged for daily meetings, at which
vaudeville and other entertainment
features would keep the strikers away
from possible trouble.
One Of The most important meetings
was scheduled Cor Gary, where cngiN-
neers who Friday waited 10 strike in d.
tiance Of their international officers
were summoned to rescind their action
1t was intimated that refusal to carry
out their contracts would result in d
forfeiture Of charters
somewhat similar situation con
fronted employees Of the Elgin, Joliet
aud Eastern Railroad, the outer belt
line of the Chicago switching district
Strike murmurs among them brought
an oiiit ittl iiCtltt lbUl Inc TOHU was OIl-
der the United States Railroad Admin
istration, and that the Steel Cooperation
had no voice in its management
"Ihe points in this district which
VIC expected would be weakest IN the
STRIKE have proved the strongest,
John Fitzpatrick, organizer OF the steel
workers strike, said. "Those are Mil
waukee aud Indiana Harbor We are
advised that 90 per cent Of the men
went out at Milwaukee and that every
thing was shut down al Indiana IIar-
bor.'
Mr Fitzpatrick said j. would be two
or three days before the full strength
OF tho strike appears He issued a
notice 70 all steel companies, irrespec-
tive Of whether they have any conncc-
ton with the United States Steel Cor
poYatlon, asking them t. confer with
". L. Foster at the Pittsburgh head
quarters of the strike. The strike. he
said, will be effective against all steel
concerns, except those reaching agree
ments with the union through Mr..
Hoster.
With the possiole exception of a
few engineers employed in the steel
mills AT Cary and Joliet. all members
of the international Union of Steam
and Operative Engineers reported for
work at the steel plants, according to
information reaching II. NJ. Comerford,
general treasurer and secretary of the
union.
The strike of the steel workers was
not approved by the engineers. Com
erford said 200 engineers in the Gary
plants, despite instructions not 10
strike. were undecided in regard to the
walk out. If they finally decide to
strike. they would have to accept the
responsibility Secretary Comerford
50 id