The Red Cloud chief., 1919-10-09
Indications That Union Labor
May Get the Worst Of the -.-'
Great Steel Strike.
SENATE STARTS An INQUIRY
Many Workers Said to Be Returning
to ths MiiI:7status Of the Peace
Treaty contest-D'Annunxio's
Raid, ,Preeiplta.es Crisis, ,,..,,,-..
In Italy.
ey EpWARp w. PACKARn.

DeyelopRe6is OK the week In the
great strteotsstefh aSSsktrs INDICATED
that, this, perhaps the, sevarest, ties. TO
which union labor n America ever has
sub ecteds Itself. aGuid result adverse
ly tbatsye Nniensa i9i,i,H aa's @ii' I
A. tfres besinhing, trhtsy 'thppsdhds OF
men in the United States Steel corpor-
ation's numerous plants scattered
throughout the country quit work, re-
gardless Of whether or not they were
members Of the unions. w. z. Foster,
general organizer, claimed that 342.-
900 had gone out before the weekwas
hslf over. This was not directly dis.
pnted by the corporation officials, but
they declared the tide already had
turned and that the men were coming
back to the mills in large numbers
seeking their old jobs. A great many
OF the plants were closed down at the
beginning Of the week, but In some Of
the districts these were being reopened
gradually with increasing forces of
workers. In the Pittsburgh district
the employers asserted they were in
creasing production In all the impor-
tant plants; the Gary and Indiana
Harbor mills resumed partial opera
ton; the strikers at Canton. o., and
Birmingham, returned to work. On
the other hand there was virtually n
complete tie-up In the Mahoning val
ley, the Colorado district and at other
points.
Though the union officials had de-
clared the strike would he conducted
without violence on the part Of the
men, rioting started promptly In some
regions. especially in Pennsylvania.
Several deaths and many injuries re-
suited. The state constabulary got
into action promptly and effectively,
breaking up all assemblaces and In
general restoring order. Sabotage was
in evidence in various plants.
The strike leaders were earnestly
endeavOring 10 expand the strike into
a walkout OF allied ORBITS. which In.
clude the men in % unions. ON the
Great Lakes II appeared likely the sea-
men and marine firemen who trans.
port iron ore would go out, and switch
men on railroads that especially serve
steel plants were reported 10 be ready
Y quit.
x The senate comwittee. on education
and labprI began' AMI Inquiry INTO the
strike and the frst- witness vas John
Fitzpatrick, chairman Of the commit.
tee on organization OF the steel work.
Ders and real leader Of me strike. 7,
was announced that MIR. Gary would
appear befofe the COMMITTEE later ItC
present the case for the employers
Fitzpatrick admitted 10 the commit
tee that there had been no demand
from the steel workers for unioniza
ton. but that the Federation of Lnhol
considered II necessary because the
steel industry was bad spot" In tn,
Industrial situation and that the con
ditiOns prevailing in II led other, larg.
employers 10 consider imposing sim
liar conditions on their employees III,
told at length 81 the vain efforts 10 In
duce Mr.. Gary 10 confer with his com
mittee, and said that even II the stee
corporation should now consent L
meet the union Representatives 4
would be too late 10 stop the strike
as the men "are going e, depaAd de
cent iuyi}e Of the tnttkd $tit$ ,eSy
ernment"
However. Fitzpatrick said, fb'
unions would call off the strike II tn
steel corporation would agree 10 sub
Nit the issue involved to arbitration b,
accommodation TO he namsdby Presiden
Wilson. When this was told TO MI
Gary in New York. he replied that