The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-23
SENATE ORDERS
INVESTIGATION
OF STEEL ROW
Adopts Kenyon Resolution
Without Roll Call.
To Determine Whether Con-
gressiOnaI Action Needed.
BEGIN HEARINGS ON THURSDAY
BEGIN HEARINGS ON THURSDAY
Judge Gary and Fitzpatrick To
Be First Witnesses.
Sen. Smith Charges Interior
ence Smacks of Socialism.

Washington, Sept 23.-Investiga-
ton of the steel strike by the senate
labor committee was ordered today by
the senate. A resolution by Senator
Kenyon, Republican, Iowa, providing
for the inquiry and authorizing a re-
port as to whether any remedial fed
eral action could be taken, was
adopted without roll call.
Senator Kenyon said it was pro-
posed to call leaders representing both
ton in an effort to determine the cause
of the strike. Visits by the committee
to the steel centers are not planned,
he said.
Hearings Begin Thursday.
Senator Kenyon announced later
that the investigation would be be-
gun Thursday and that the first wit
nesSes would be Chairman Gary of
the United States Steel corporation,
and John J. Fitzpatrick, chairman of
the national committee organizing the
steel workers.
The steel strike is the first skirmish
in an industrial war in the United
States, Senator Kenyon declared. in
urging the senate to adopt his resolu-
ton.
olution and does not require concur
renee of the house.
Union Counsel at Capitol.
At the same time w. S. Rubin,
counsel for the steel men, was at the
| capitol trying to arrange conferences
with senator's and house members.
Rubin will probably confer with
| Senator Kenyon.
Senator Smith, South Carolina, said
interference by congress in the private
affairs of people of the country looked
| like Socialism. He decried the prac-
tice of having congress take a hand in
| settling such matters as the strike, de-
| claring that 'the good sense of the
people should be tested to the very
last before congress takes a hand"
Kenyon declared that his resolution
was introduced as a measure in behalf
| either of the strikers or the employers
| Would 'Disapprove" Strike.
| Senator Thomas. Colorado. offered a
| resolution to express the "disappr
all of the senate at the steel strike
| The resolution criticised the closed
shop as "unAmerican.'
| Senator Thomas declared Judge
Gary's refusal to confer with union
( leaders was ''unwise and unjustified,' -
altho the strike was 'repugnant to
free institutions"
| Senator Knox. Pennsylvania, de-
clared foreigners, for whom we are
being asked to do much" apparently
were taking a leading part in promot-
I ing the strike and that this raised ar
| issue much broader than the investi-
| cation proposed by Senator Kenyon.
! Passage of the resolution was
urged by Senator Owen, Oklahoma
who said all users of steel products are
directly affected.
Foster Bitterly Denounced.
i william z. Foster, of the steel strike
leaders, was bitterly denounced in the
house today by Representative Cooper
of Youngstown, O.. who is a member
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
geers.
Il Cooper charged Foster had writer
in favor of syndicatism and declared
by these writings Foster showed hi
"unfitness as labor leader and dis
qualities himself from the name of al
American citizen deserving the pro
! lection of the American flag"