The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-17
LABOR WILL WAGE
STEEL MILL WAR
Fight for Unionizing Of En-
plOyecs to Begin in Pitts
burg District.
BACKED BY FEDERATION
Committee Headed by GOmpers
viii Attempt'to Organize
100000 Workers There.

ATLANTIC CITY, June IA finish
fight between the American Federation
OF Labor and the great steel corporations
Of the country for the unionization of
employees in the steel plants was decided
upon here tonight. At a conference of
committee made up Of twenty-four presi-
dents of the International unions inter-
ested In the organization of the steel
workers 1t was voted to launch immedi-
ateiy extraordinary efforts in all of the
stsel producing sections. particularly in
the Pittsburg district. The committee Is
headed by Samuel Gompers, president of
the American Federation OF Labor. The
fight, according to the committee. is TO be
for the right of free assemblage, free
speech and a free press"
The presidents of the unions repre-
scented at the conference pledged them
selves to "go to Jail if necessary in
the attempt to organize the 1000
workers in the Pittsburg. McKeesEort
Homestead and Monongahela regions.
At the same time an equally vigorous
campaign is to be conducted in other
stsel manufacturing centres, including
the mills in Alabama,
The decision to inausurate the fight
for unionism was reached after one of
the conferees had declared that the
steel barons in the Pittsburg region have
refused to permit organization meetings
to be held for the last six months
The employers in the steel industry,
1t was asserted by speakers, are firmly
against permitting the organization Of
their workers. II was urged that the
time had come for the American Fedora
ton of Labor to inject itself more ac-
lively into the situation and force union
recognition. The present time is re-
garded by the union leaders as being
especially favorable for their fight. ow-
ing to the prospect of tremendous bust
ness ahead for the steel mills and the
outlook that the production this year
will exceed all previous records.
Cites Victory Over Packers. -
Mr.. Gompers told members Of the COM
mittee that the workers in the meat
packing industry recently had achieved
their ends and that he was Convinced
that the organization of the steel indus
try could be completed Just as quickly.
The iron and steel men are powerful
and have wealth beyond the ken of most
men and the contest is likely to be a
sharp one" warned Mr.. Gompers. al
ready We have managed to obtain an
eight hour day in the steel industry" he
went on. but let me tell you that was
not handed to US on a silver platter.
The interests did not know what the re-
suit might be IL they failed to make the
concession.
II may say to you also that You
needn't really fear going to jail. / was
sentenced twice to Jail and the judge
wanted me to go. But didn't go and
the man that sentenced me is no longer
a Judge.
I'VE want to bring new life to the
workers in the steel industry and we
are going. to insist on the right of free
speech, FREQ assembly and free press.
There is no power in the United States
that can prevent this campaign and, be
the results what they may. 50 far as we
are on the right, road so far as / am
concerned, I am willing 10 go the limit
With you. We will bring about the
emancipation Of the steel workers"
Fitzpatrick 20 he Leader.
Mr.. Gompers refused TO accept the
Craftsmanship OF the committee which
will take charge OF the fight. saying that
he could not spend the time to handle
IL properly In view of his other duties
as head OF the American Federation Of
Labor. John Fitzpatrick of Chicago
who directed the organization of the
workers in the meat packing industry
thereupon was elected chairman.
A committee of the International In Dor
leaders was named to draft resolutions
embodying the decision of the conferences
for presentation to the convention. prob
ably at to-morrow's session.
The organization campaign. 1t was an
nounced after the conference adjourned
probably will be inaugurated in McKees-
port where considerable difficulty is ex.
pected because of action looked for on
the part OF the municipal authorities who
hnve, in the past. it7wss said, attempted
to prevent peaceful efforts of orga nizers
The order in which the other towns
in the Pittsburg district will be visited
by the international officers has not yet
been decided upon. although 1t is in-
tended to make the first attacks in COM
munities where. according to the con-
ferees. the local authorities have taken
action similar TO that alleged at Me-
keesport.
The conference tonight was held as
result OF resolution adopted at last
weeks session of the convention now
.
mark the resumption OF a night which
has been carried on between the labor
leaders and the steel company officials
for many years.
Electrical Workers Win.
Word reached the convention Of labor
leaders here to-day from Postmaste
General Burleson that he had granted all
the demands Of the telephone electrical
workers as outlined in the resolution
taken to Washington Saturday by repre-.
sentatives of the American Federation OF
Labor and the Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers. There was tubilation among
the electrical workers at the receipt OF
the news They had deferred a nation
wide strike called for to-day, upon Mr.
Burleson's promise that he would adjust
the situation.
Under the terms of the regulat lions is.
sued by Mr. Burieson the telephone cleo
trical workers are given the right &c
unioniSe for collective bargaining with
the heads Of departments and to name
members to a board OF mediation to be
made UP of equal numbers of workers
ana representatives OF employers. There
was appointment on the part Of the
Post Office employees and members OF
the Commercial Telegraphers' Union
now on strike that the same rights were
not accorded Them as had been expected
The commercial telegraphers believe
their demands are to be sidetrac ked BY
me convention mere They did not ioir
the federation until the Government tool
over the wires, and before that time thsI
insisted on fighting their battlea inds,
pendentlv of the federation $1,000