The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-23

men and guards III and around
 the local plants, the first "A hours of the steel workers strike called yesterday morning g
 has been uneventful and near ly all of the plants are work ing normal.
 Not single plant has been
 shut down and it is estimated
 that hardly 500 men quit work
 yesterday morning in obedience
 to the strike order.
 Labor leaders. while admitting that
 the result was not up to their e0pec-
 tations. state they are neither discour-
 aged nor dismayed. and claim that as
 the full knowledge of the scope and
 extent of the strike comes to the
 workers, particularly from Pittsburg
 and other large centers, they will come
 out in large numbers. and that by the end of the week every union man fin
 the 24 allied trades working at the plant will be out. Interest yesterday was centered in the plants of the steel corporation at
 Ens,ey and Fairfield and early yes- tcrday morning newspaper men, com pany officials, labor leaders, policemen
 and guards were on the scene A brass
 band was also in evidence at Ensley and played livery n.rs during the period when the workmen began their way to the plants to take up their
 daily toll.
 NO INTERFERING
 There was no effort either on the part of the strike leaders, officials or guards toward interference, and the steady stream of workmen entered the gates of the steel plant and other in- dustries. even as in normal times. At the steel plant it was stated by an official that when the roll was called there were 153 workers in excess of the number required.
 At the steel and wire company's s plant at Fairfield there was a reversal of this situation, and it was apparent that the usual number of men did not pass through the gates. Labor lead CTS claimed that fully 50 per cent of the men employed at this plant had ldlleu to report TOT WOTk. 1nlS WAS denied by officials of the plant. who contended that the operation of the plant was not materially disturbed by the few men who had quit work At the Woodward plant it was re- ported that every man was at his Iost when the whistle blew for work yes- terday morning and that only one out of the hundreds of men employed at this plant had joined the ranks of the strikers.
 Prem all appearances to a man ou the outside all the pants were work ing at their normal capacity. Smoke issued in dense volume from the smokestacks, steam was seen escaping 2 at various points, the noise of whis- ties, the clang of bells, the moving of trains and the other activities tha. mark the operation of an industrial plant, but none except those on duty were admitted within the gates CROWDS ORDERLY
 Tn Ensley and the other localities where men went on strike there was little unusual Perhaps there were a few more men on the streets and cer- tainly policemen were much more in evidence than usual. but it is doubtful if one knowing nothing of the sitna- tion could have guessed that a strike was in progress. There were no dis OIuCFS OI any hlIu, anu lIc usual ulS- cussions and arguments were exccp- tionally calm. The only thir9 in the nature of demonstration was a pro- cession consisting of one wagon. bear ing banner in the form of tent, which stated that the steel employes were called upon to strike and aIi- nouncing that meeting would be held at 10 o'clock Memoli's hand headed the procession. This demonstration attracted little attention. The work CTS on their way to the plants hardly noticed it. Those coming from work stood around and talked a little more than usual. but displayed no enthusi- asm for joining the procession. The strikers meeting yesterday 400, who packed themselves into the small Ensley auditorium and cheered all the speakers. shouting enthusiastic lapproval of their statements. rhe men were told that this was only the first day. that if they stuck to their guns new men would join them daily, and that they were sure to win. We are out to win in the Birmin gharl district just as much as anywhere else" said William Lynn. international organizer for the American Federation of Labor. We are going to win, too Nothing can stop us" Plans were made for continuing the work of or ganization and the men were promised that they need have no fear of not gaining by the strike.
 POLICE PRAISED
 A rather unusual note in the meet l ing was the enthusiastic approval of | the way the police department had prepared to handle the situation and l the high tribute paid to the city coni-
 mission >and the people of Birmingham | '1n Pittsburg men are shot for mere l ly attending a meeting" said Mir i Lynn. Here we can not only hold 1 them. but the city provides the place | for them" Every assurance was 1 given that there would be no disorde,
 on the part of the strikers
 | It seemed equally certain that nc I trouble will he started in other quar- | ters. Ample police arc on duty to pre- went outbreaks and there will be no irelaxation of precaution une1 .ha strike is ended. Before leaving for l, Montgomery yesterday Commissioner Taylor expressed himself as being well l pleased with the situation. We hive
 had no trouble of any kind" he said :, "and anticipate none. However. We
 I will take no chances No men will he called off duty ln Ens'ev until the
 strike is settled and conditions becon4