The sun., 1919-08-27

mas passed between us. think Il is
oetter Tor those gentlemen and for me
10 leaVe no chance for ding
IN regard to what has been or shall be
saio. 1 have intended no personal dis
Despite the danger that the labor men
might feel they had been aftronted, a
canvass OF men In steel circles yesterday
INDICATED no alarm over the labor situa-
uon In the steel industry. From author
native sources in the trade II was
learned that reports had been received
IN the last few days showing that not
more than 10 per cent and possibly not
more than 10 per cent. OF all the en-
ployees in the industry have Joined or
were previously members of union or
ganizations AFFILIATED with the American
Federation OF Labor.
Although there are a number Of inde-
pendent employees organizations in
some Of the companies these are not af-
Inflated with the A. +. of L., and their
Representatives deal directly with the Of
ncials Of the companies on all question
that might arise Because OF these facts
the best authorities in the industry ere
confident that no serious disturbances
are likely.
Can Call Out 10000.
On the other hand the labor leaders
were vehement In their declaration that
they could call a strike at an hours
notice which would directly affect 400,-
600 workers In the steel and iron indus
try, and that upwards of 100000 other
workers would be affected indirectly.
Tho threatened strike. they said, hinged
on the attitude to be taken by Samuel
Gompers. =
Following Mr.. Gomperss arrival and
he return OF the delegation from Judge
Gary's Office, there was meeting OF
labor leaders at the Hotel Continental
In, this assembly were the following
John Fitzpatrick, chairman of the sub
committee of the Organization or Iron
and Steel Workers. recently formed al
the convention at Youngstown, Ohio, and
president of the Chicago Federation OF
Labor; William Foster Of Pittsburg, Sec
rotary of the subcommittee William
Harmon of Washington, d. ]. Davis OF
Pittsburg, e. ]. Evans of the Interna.
tional Electrical Workers of Chicago
Hugh Frayne. general organizer OF the
New York Federation of Labor, and
Glenn Plumb. counsel for the railroad
brotherhoods and father OF the Plumb
bill.
After the meeting Mr.. Fitzpatrick SAID
that Samuel Gompers wrote to Chairman
Gary Of the steel trust last June asking
for q conference and that his letter wa,
ignored. He added that unless Mr.
Gary reconsidered his decision not Il
confer with the labor leaders Mr.. Com
pers 10 expected to empower him to cal
strike at once. Mr.. Fitzpatrick ex
planned that 1t will not be necessary t
| wait until the end of August as agreed
upon at the youngstown conference
With authority from Samuel Gompers
he said, the call can go. forth at a mo
ment's notice. Mr.. Davis added tina
should the strike be called 1t would b,
extended to the ore carrying ships o
the great lakes and that twenty 81,
unions interested In the steel industr,
| would be tied up.
The steel trust issued a statement
not long ago." Mr.. Fitzpatrick said, eli
which II was said no strike we coult
call would affect the industry. We car
shut down every mill operated by tn,
steel trust and not wheel will turf
once we give the word. Gary has re
fused to see us or to listen to U.S. Nov
he will both see and hear US unless h,
| wants to shut down his entire works
We are here for business and We know
| where we stand"