The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-27
Company Officials Confident
Their Ranks VIII Be SweIIed.
Try To Open Ohio Plants Mon
day-Gary in Operation.
STEEL COMPANIES ADVERTISE
"Return to Work." Ads Read
Charge Revolutionary Strike.
UA.tRs Trying To Get Aid of
Allied Industries.

The forty thousand employees
of the Bethlehem Steel company
today were ordered to strike at
6 o'clock next Monday morning
by the national committee of the
union.
Striking workers of the Inland
Steel n-pany, Indiana Harbor,
Ind, decided to meet Monday to
vote on returning to work. They
are anxious to go back if protec-
ton is assured.
The first week of the great steel
strife ended today with the situation
a virtual deadlock while both sides
waited with keen anticipation for
Monday. when a crucial test will be
afforded Of the claims of the oppo-
uent's respective strength. Steel COM
pany officials professed the fullest
confidence that the opening of another
week would see such defections in the
ranks Of the strikers that the back of
the unions resistance would be
broken. Leaders of the strikers were
equally optimistic in their predictions
that the ranks Of their followers would
BOT be seriously preached.
- In the meantime the strike gen.
erals were neglecting no effort to
strengthen their position in anticipa-
tion Of the coming test Mass meet
inEs were held today and will be con-
tinued tomorrow thruout the Pitts
burgh district. the strategic center OF
the battlefield and union organizers
strove increasingly to gain new re-
cruits and fortify their existing force
No Relief for Ohio Yet.
ha p,
the fact that the unsponsored meet
ings held in Youngstown area, al
which IL was announced the men
would vote on the question of return
ing to work. have so far resulted in
no relief of the Industrial paralysis
which has gripped the Mahoning val
ley. Carnegie officials have an
nounced an attempt will be made tC
reopen the Ohio works OF the mil
Monday. on the other hand. steel Of
ficials in the Chicago district con.
tinued their claims that increasinG
numbers Of men were returning t
work and announced the reopening o,
more mills at Gary.
Rumors of the pending spread o.
the strike to allied industries contin
ued but without definite basis or
which to base conclusion. A mas
meeting Of members OF the railroad
brotherhood has been announced a
Youngstown for tomorrow. but tn,
purpose Of the meeting is not stated
Order Bethlehem Out.
Pittsburgh. Pa. Sept 27.-Strike o
the forty thousand employees of tn,
Bethlehem Steel company was called
today by the steel workers nationa
committee.
The strike is to become effective a
? s o'clock Monday morning, Septem
Der 20.
The action was taken after secre
i
committee his letter requesting, ant
President Grace's letter refusing
conference between the company ant
union representatives,.
Mr.. Grace. in his reply. said tina
he would not grant a conference q
the union and that he would not aban
don the present system Of COLLECTIVE
bargaining with employees. which wa
adopted by the company during th'
war
Decide on Rail ParIcy Today.
After calling the Bethlehem strike
the committee adjourned to NEE
again late today. when the matter o
a conference with the heads OF tn
railroad brotherhoOds will be takel
up.
Unanimous for Strike?
Foster declared Bethlehem stee
employees were highly organized. an,
that his reports indicated they ha,
voted 100 per cent in favor of a strike
The final decision to call the strik
was reached after a three hour con
ference Of the committee.
- Foster characterized as ''newspape
reports" statements from Newcastl
and other points asserting that man
mills were resuming operation.
He declared he was still sausfie
with the progress Of the strike.
The telegram calling the strike wa
addressed to the local union repre-
sentatives in Bethlehem, Titusvill'
Reading. Steelton. Lebanon, Pa, an
Spnrrows Point Md.
Foster stated the strike was to in
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