South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-21
EVE OF STEEL
STRIKE FINDS
FACTIONS SET
Corporation Heads Arranging
Plans to Safeguard Their
Property.
UNIONS ORGANIZE FORCES

BY Associated Press
PITTSBURG, sept. 2O.-The eve
of the nationwide strike in the
steel industry finds both sides in
the contest apparently prepared for
the battle. Final arrangements
were rushed Saturday. the corpora
tons paying much attention 70 plans
for guarding their property and the
union leaders continuing their in
tensive campaign TO unionize unor-
ganized men and urging others 10
stand by the workers. Saturday
there seemed 10 be nothing 10 do
but wait for the test of strength on
Monday when the strike will Off
cially begin.
Unions Confident.
Expressing confidence that the
unions have not the power TO COM
pei a general shutdown, officials of
the United States Steel corporation.
the main object of the attack of la
Dor and OF other steel companies.
said. they will blow their whistles
as usual Monday morning and try 10
operate their plants. They frankly
admit they will do their best and if
sufficient men do not report, which
they do not concede, they will shut
down until such time as they can
command enough men to make it
worth while 10 start up again.
There is no talk of bringing strike
breakers into this district in the
event the unions cripple or close
down the plants. 1t is said the larg-
er corporations prefer to remain
closed than cause unnecessary tur-
moil that sometimes follows the
bringing of strike breakers into a
community.
Strike Affects 100000.
The strike order affects approx
mately 200. 900 iron and steel work
ers in the inner and outer Pittsburg
district between Johnstown. Pa. on
the east, and Youngstown. Ohio. on
the west. Union leaders claim that
a majority of these men Will follow
the request of the steel workers ma
tiOnal committee and refuse to go
10 work Monday. They assert that
not only union men Will be in the
walkout, but that they will be Joined
by thousands who are not affiliated
with any labor organization.
Municipal and borough officials in
many parts Of the Pittsburg district
Saturday also prepared to meet the
situation and have taken precau-
tons 10 maintain law and order in
their communities. Mayor George
II. Lysle of MckeespOrt, who union
/ leaders complain. has refused to
: permit labor organizations to hold
public meetings in that city. issued
a long proclamation calling upon
citizens to support the constituted
authorities in their efforts to main
tain peace.
a number Of organizers have been
arrested in McKeesport in recent
weeks for holding meetings without
/ permits. Labor leaders say they
/ tried 10 get permits but were re-
fused. A mass meeting is scheduled
for MCkeesport tomorrow The
mayor said il cannot be held. w.
Z. Foster. secretary of the steel
workers national committee, said il
would take place as scheduled. but
he would not say where in McKees-
/ port it would he held
Proclamations were issued bv
various burgesses but were confined
/ 10 the usual legal form of calling
upon all citizens 10 keep the peace.
I The PittsbUrg police authorities
have also laid plans 10 maintain or
/ der around the iron and steel mills.
/ within the city limits.