Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-09-19
Impossible to Delay Strike.

request Your request for postpone
ment would have been gladly grant
ed, were it not for the following facts:
'First-Mr. Gary asserted that his
in their behalf in presenting their
grievances. Notwithstanding that they
can neither economically, by lack of
means, nor intelligently, by lack Of
schooling. cope with his representa-
tives.
"Second-That ever since the men
started to organize. a systematic per-
with discharge and ending with MUIR
der. recalling to US wildly the days of
Homestead and the reign of
despotism in Russia
Mon Denied Free Speech.
'Third-Through the efforts Of the
steel industry. officials in various To-
calities have denied the men free as
sembly and free speech. Instances
too numerous where meetings have
been suppressed, men arrested tried
on various u%nfounded charges, ex-
cessive bail required and cruel
punishment imposed. all without war
rant in law and justice.
amples-in the city of McKeesport, a
meeting held by the men within their
legislative rights was broken up and
men arrested Inc thrown into Jail,
charged with riot and held to the ex-
cessive bail Of $1,000 each, while m
Of the hirelings of the steel industry
arrested for the murder OF a woman
speaker at Breckenridge, Pa, Is
being held under hail Of but $2,50o.
Another patent example is Hammond.
Ind, where four defenseless union
men were charged upon and killed by
hired detectives of the steel industry.
and witnesses in behalf of their sur
vivors ave been so inundated and
maltreated that the truth of the kill
ing was suppressed.
"Fifth-Guns and canno have been
planted in mills, highly charged cleo
trio wires have bee strung around
their premises.
"Sixth-Armed men In large num-
bers are going about intimidating not
only the workers, but everybody in
many communities who show the
slightest indication Of sympathy with
the men.
.'seventh-Men have been discharg-
ed in increasingly large numbers day
by day. Threats and intimidation
are resorted to for the purpose Of
putting the men in lear and prevent
them from exercise their own free
will. coerced into signing statements
that they are not members nor will
become members of any labor organ
i~zation, and threatened with eviction,
blacklist. denial Of credit and starva-
ton.
"Eighth-That a forced decline Of
the market would be imposed, so as
to wipe out their holdings in stock
which they were induced to partici-
pate in years. Threats to the
mills and to close them up Indefinite
"Ninth-rhat an organized propa-
ganda for v%ilification of the American
mors that the strike will be delayed
and that, such delay is only a sell-out.
Tenth-Showing no opposition to
the men joining dual organizations.
AS a result of this propaganda. the I.
w. w. is making rapid Roadway in
some Of the districts.
"Eleven-That the real reason for
opposition to organized labor repre-
s~entation on behalf of the men who
dustry is preparing to cut wages and
to lower the standards to pre-wa:
times n return to a condition that
encouraged the pardon system, so
prevalent in that particular industry
Cannot Meet Request
Mr.. President, delay is no longer
possible. We have tried to find a
way, but cannot We regret that fol
the first time you call upon organ.
lied labor cannot meet with favorable
response. Believe US, the fault is no,
ours. II delay were no more than
delay, even at the cost or loss Of
membership In our organizations, We
would urge the, same to the fullest o1
our ability, notwithstanding the mer
are firmly set for an immediate strike
But delay here means the surrender
Of all hope. This strike is no at the
call of its leaders. but 't1fat Of the mer
involved. Win or lose, the strike Il
inevitable and VIII be continued unit
industrial despotism VIII ,recede from
the untenable position nov occupied
by Mr.. Gary. We have faith in you
desire TO bring about "a conferenc.
and hope You will succeed therein
We fully understand the hardship,
that meanwhile will follow. the reig1
OF terror that unfair methods will IN
stitute. The burden falls upon tn,
men, but the great responsibilit!
therefore rests upon the other side.
tSs@H1Ets IAE%LE