The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-26
IMPORTANT
DEVELOPMENTS IN
STRIKE PENDING
Pittsburgh Meeting Today To
Decide Bethlehem WaIkOut.
Company Hopes To Keep 10000
Men on Jobs.
YOUNGSTOWN BACK TO WORK?
Great Lakes Sailors VIII De-
eide Sympathetic Strike Today.
Many Steel Workers Returning
Battle at Clarion, Pa.
Company Hopes To Keep 4O,OOC
Men on Jobs.
YOUNGSTOWN BACK TO WORK?

Three important developments were
pending today in the steel strike any
one of which may have a vital bear
ing on the outcome of the great in
dustrial struggle.
In Pittsburgh the national steel
workers committee was to meet late
today and a definite decision was ex-
pected in regard to calling out the
40, 600 workers of the Bethlehem steel
plants Monday. Altho the company
officials have so far shown no inclina-
ton to compromise, local union Of
ficials at Allentown expressed opti-
mism over the prospect of a strike
being averted
In youngstown where the strikers
have succeeded in completely tying up
the steel industry in the Mahoning
valley, district meetings were an
nounced of unskilled and semi-skilled
workers to discuss the question of re-
turning to work. Some mystery en-
veloped these meetings as both the
strike leaders and the mill managers
professed to know nothing Of their
origin.
The third development was prom
ised at Cleveland. where the executive
committee of the Great Lake ship
ping unions claiming to represent TO-
600 seamen, engineers and men of al
lied trades, met to decide whether
sympathetic strike. Such a strike al
ready has been authorized by the in
ternational unions
Strike Battle at Clarion.
Pittsburgh, Pa, Sept. 26.-Strikers
and state and local police engaged In
a long range gun battle at Clarion
early today.
The firing was between a. m. and
s a. m. when about a dozen strikers
began firing on men who were on
their way to the steel plants for the
days work. 1t was dark and only the
flash from the guns of the strikers re-
vealed their whereabouts.
Expecting possible trouble the state
and local police were lying in wait
and Immediately returned the fire.
Giving chase they captured three men,
whose guns, they said, had been emp
tied and then reloaded. 1t is not
known whether any of the strikers
was hit. Several yells were heard, but
no wounded were found.
Try to Tie Up Bethlehem Works.
With plants in the Pittsburgh dis
trict slowly, but steadily gaining
leaders will probably be an attempt to
tie up the big Bethlehem Steel COM
pany plants.
President Grace of the Bethlehem
company having refused to grant the
steel workers committee a conference,
! =
take action between now and Monday.
The Bethlehem plants were not in
cluded in the last strike call because
negotiations were still on. 1t was un-
derstood that the Bethlehem strike
date had been tentatively set for Sep
tember %. Secretary Foster stated
that action by the national committee
was necessary before the strike could
be called, however, and added that he
expected the committee to meet i'm
mediately.
The Bethlehem company employs
| approximately so, 900 men. with plants
at South Bethlehem, Steelton, Le-
| banon, Reading. Titusville. Pa, and
| Sparrows Point, Md. Foster claims
! the Bethlehem employees are well
| organized.
More Men Back to Work.
Reports as the morning shifts went
| to work in the Monongahela Valley
| today were again that an increasing
number of men were reporting. Sec
| retary Foster predicted that he would
have the Jones and Laughlin plant of
| Pittsburgh, closed by Thursday night.
This is the biggest independent plant
in the district. The plant claimed to-
| day, however, to be operating 100 per
cent. Both sides continued to charge
intimidation of workmen.
According to reports in Charlton
Braddock. and Rankin many foreign
ers are endeavoring to leave the dis
trict and return to Europe as a result
of the strike.
A strikers committee protested to
Sheriff Haddock against the state po-
lice and the orders prohibiting meet
lings. The sheriff told them they could
hold meetings, providing they pro-
cured halls, but that open air meetings
would continue to be prohibited.
Resuming Work in Chi Area.
Chicago, Sept. 26.-Steel company
Iofficials in the Chicago district claimed
today that they were gradually resum-
ing operations.
The Illinois Steel company in south
/ Chicago had six furnaces going. AT
official predicted that all departments
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