Arizona republican., 1919-09-20
SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 20, 1919
The Steel Strike
He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts too small
 Who will not put to the touch,

Or his deserts too small
 Who win not put to the touch,
 And win lose it all"
 The national committee of the steeworkers have determined to lose in finding out whether the steel industry the steeworkers are the stronger The committee has been forced into action It is in the position of general the head of a large army of men who have become nervous through inacton and arc threatened with loss of morale. The ,om- mittee evidently feels that fight alone and quick will prevent the collapse their organization which has been building for years. this fear they would doubtless accede to the request of President Wilson for delay of the strike until after the con- ference called for October G.
 Perhaps, also the committee counts upon another circumstance-that the strike spirit is in the as never before. Within the three months there have been 10000 strikes. big and ttle east of the Mississippi. with, some without cause Thus for two reasons the leaders believe is now or never
 The immediate of the strike is the absolute refusal of the steel corporation to receive the repre- sentatves of organized steel workers. Such con ference would only have opened a way for demand for recognition of the union The conference there fore. could have resulted in nothing but disagree ment and the holding of it might led the workers into belief that the corporation might be induced to yield.
 
 ing half of which there would not necessarily have been dispute. They relate to matters concerning which there is probably little no grievance. such as hours, working conditions and wages sufficient to guaranty American standard of living" Even there might have been understanding reached rel atve to the principle of collective bargaining
 But most of the others would certainly have been rejected with indignation and fnality; among them two that must be unthinkabe to the steel corpo ration the abolition of the company unions and the the adoption of the "check-off" system.
 As to the outcome The leaders of the steel work CTS claim that the industry has been 100 per cent ganzed That of is ridculously preposterous 1t is claimed the part of the steel industry that only fifteen per cent of it's employees belong to the union. That is also probably preposterous. How many will go out next Monday is matter of conjecture.
 It would seem reasonably that many thou sands of the benefciares of the pension other aiding systems the steel industry which have been several years in building will not be willing to cast to the winds advantages which have grown be of such great financial value to them They could bal ance against their certain loss only the result of strike which if successful might their wages by small sum. Some of them though would regard the strike necessary step toward the democratza ton of the industry
 The organization of the steel workers for several months in anticipation of this contest fever ishly carried on. The real object has not been the betterment of the condition of the workers. blow the open shop principle has been contemplated from the outset The steel industry is the greatest ployer of labor in the world It is open shop and labor leaders have realized that stands as an ob- struction to the closed shop This obstruction must be removed little headway toward the closed shop can be made Here and there small conquests may be gained but they must be inconsequentia long as the open shop of the steel industry stands.
 Organized labor is rskng good deal. The Amer ican Federation appears to realize this and though supporting the steel workers of ate it appears to have retired little further into the background. with some sort of line of retreat open in the case of disaster.
 The struggle will be a fierce and obstinate one perbaps the 1ercest in the history of industrial dis nutes How far it will extend only be conjecIred vybether it can be limited to the steel and iron pro- dncne industry is very doubtful If it breaks over natural channel for it to follow would be to the mines another to the railroads and still another to the build ing trades Fierce and obstinate as it may be, will probably not be a strike of long duration The hope ossneas of the contest believe will quickly become apnarent to one side the other.