New-York tribune., 1919-10-01
Settles Down to
" ar of industrial Snip
ing, Both Sides Making
House-to-I4ouse Canvass
Bethlehem Claims
Nearly Full Crews
Strikers Being Evicted
From Homes; Com
panies Hiring New Men
By Theodore M. knappen


PITTSBURGH, Sept. 3O.-The steel
strike throughout the country has
settled down to n relentless fight on
both sides to "pick of" the opposition
forces. The mass attacks arc over
and now it is a case of winning men
one by one
The Bethlehem plants wcathercd
their second strike day with no cvi-
dcncc OF serious injury. Leaders
claimed so per cent of the men we're
out a. Bethlehem, but the mills con-
tlnued to operate HaA ,>.npo employer
would admit a loss of more than Is
per cent. Opera. ors at other plants
OF the Schwab corporation contende(i
that their output showed virtually no
decrease.
He,e in the Pittsburgh region loyal
employees are being besieged by pick
cts and labored with in their homes
in systematic attempt to win them
over. At the same time strikers are
receiving visits from their bosses who
are using the personal appeal and the
man man argument.
More and more the line is drawn by
the employers between Americans and
aliens. and the unions realizing the
disastrous results of cleavage now gre
doing theiv utmost TO keep the Amer
leans they have and gain more The
old union leaders view with dismay a
possible future of their unions almost
completely given over to a horde of
undisciplned foreigners taken in dur
ing the rush of the organization move
mcnt.
Strikers Being Evicted
Some companies, notably the West
Fem and Allegheny companies in the
Allegheny Valley, have publicly an
nounced that hereafter only American
citizens or those with first papers will
be employed. There also is a tendency
10 fix definite time limits within which
strikers must return to work or be
discharged. and for the first time to-
day the mills began 10 take on new
men. notably in the case OF the Edgar
Thomson plant of the Carnegie Com
pany at Braddock.
As result Of these policies the
tendency OF foreigners to migrate is
becoming more pronounced. Another
move that will cut deep was reported
at strike headquarters to-day to the
effect that at Breckenridge, where the
Vest Penn Company is situated, and at
Sharesville, strikers living in company
houses are being served with notices
Of eviction.
The steel companies are in deadly
earnest, and unless there is some sor
of government interference they in
tend TO iuht to an uncompromlsed
peace By victory. They intend to win
at any cost such a victory that It VIII
be at least another decade before an
other Foster will be able to tie up the
American steel industry.
Strike Done at Some Points
Despite ali denials Of the strikers
committee, it is no longer to be
doubted that in the Shenango Valley.
embracing such towns as Newcastle,
Sharon. Farrell and Sharpsville. the
strike is nearly "done,' and one proml-
ncnt labor leader conceded to-day that
the situation was desperate there,
though Secretary Foster continued to
claim that the men were standing firm
and that all the activity reported from
these towns was only camouflage, con-
si;ting mostly Of smoke screens thrown
cut hv Il few men with the aid Of tar
and othcr combustibles.
At Newcastle out Of $500 only 800
still are out; the Carnegie plant is
rapidly approaching normal and fifty
five Of sixty shot mills of the Ameri-
B
operating. AT Farrell 1000 men are
back at work, and the American Sheet
and Tin Plate Company plant there is
almost normal.
1t is notable that in these districts
the resumption of operations is coin
cident with the complete restoration
of order Fifty citizens of Sharon have
united in an affidavit for the benefit
Of the Senate committee that is to
come here the latter part of the week
to the effect that the work of the con-
lstabuary in restoring order was nee
cssary and praiseworthy.
Pittsburgh Situation Tense.
In Pittsburgh and in the Mononga-
hola Valley the struggle is still tense,
and while the mills are making some
gains there also ale some defections; ;
! and plants like the Jones & Laugh
( lin that have stood up throughout the
storm are having to fight desperately
those that were crippled are gaining
only inch by inch. 1t is said that it
would not be surprising If there were
something of reaction following this
! strain, during which the managers
would recuperatc for a new forward
shove of the slow and steady variety.
Reports from Johnstown indicate
| that the strikers are getting restive.
/ although as yet there have been TO
notable defections. The strikers stiil
tightly grip the situation in the Ma
honinr Valley and Youngstown dis
tricts. but the companies say that signs
appear md the closed mills Of the Car
negie Steel Company rs Youngstown