Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-18
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. Q . . . q . Q o o o . . 8 o o .
tsv MORNING JOURNAL srsclAL LEASED wisEI
Pittsburgh, Pa. Sept. 1.-THE ma
| tional committee for organizing iron
| and steel workers went into session
here shortly before noon today to take
| definite action on the matter of post
poning the strike of iron and steel
workers called for September 20. Be-
fore going into the meeting John
| Fitzpatrick. Chicago, chairman of the
national committee, SAID that unless
there was last minute telegram
from E bert ii. Gary, chairman of the
board of the United states Steel corr
poration, no postponement OF the
strike as requested by President Will
son until after the industrial confer
ence at Washington october 6 would
be considered.
Fitzpatrick said the men were fully
organized and prepared 10 walk oat
next Monday.
The meeting of the national COM
mittee today was called primarily TO
make preparations for the proposed
strike.
| AT 2 O'Clock the national committee
of the steel workers took recess un-
til O'Clock. No announcement was
| given out after the meeting. CHAR
4 man Fitzpatrick, when asked concern
ing the postponement of the projected
strike said that thought of such action
was a xdream."
1t was reported that telegram has
been sent to President Gompers of
the American Federation Of Labor,
asking him to attend the meeting of
the national committee here tomorrow
afternoon. Labor leaders refused to
discuss the report.
Gary Defines Attitude.
The Carnegie Steel company today
! gave out letter from II. II. Gary,
chairman of the United States Steel
corporation, addressed to the presi-
dents of the subsidiary companies set
ting forth the reasons of the corpora
tion for declining to deal with labor
unions and expalning the attitude of
the concern toward It's employees.
The letter states that the corpora
tion does not combat labor unions as
such and that II does not negotiate
with unions because 1t would indicate
the closing of the shops against nom
union labor.
1T is the settled determination of
the United States Steel corporation
and its subsidiaries" the letter states.
that the wages and working condi-
tions of their employees shall compare
favorably with the higest standard of
propriety and Justice
The letter follows in part.
mot long since ! respectfully de-
clined to meet, for the purpose of dis
cussing matters pertaining to labor at
our various plants. number of gen.
tlemen representing certain labor
unions They claim this furnishes
cause for complaint and have stated
that they intend, If possible, to pre-
vent a continuance of operations at
lour mills and factories.
II deem it proper to repeat in let
ter what heretofore has been said to
you verbally. / entertain no feeling
of animosty towards the gentlemen
, personally and would not hesitate to
meet them as Individuals but l did
not and do not now consider Il proper
to confer with them under the circum-
stances.
Why Declination Was Made.
:, "The declination was made for two
| reasons. First, because | did not be-
lieve the gentlemen were authorized
to speak for large numbers of our
lemployes. whose interests and wishes
are of prime Importance. Secondly,
because a conference with these men
would have been treated by them as a
recognition of the closed shop method
of employment. We do not combat
labor unions as such. We do not ne
, gotiate with labor unions. because il
would indicate the closing of our shops
against non-unon labor, and large
numbers of our workmen are not
members of unions and do not care to
be.
THE principle of open shop is
vital to the greatest industrial prog
ress and prosperity. 1t is of equal
benefit to employer and employe. II
means that every man may engage in
any line of employment that he Sc
lects and under such terms as he and
the employer may agree upon; that he
lmay arrange for the kind and charac-
; ter of works which he believes will
, bring to him the largest compensa-
ton and the most satisfactory condi-
tions, depending upon his own merit
and disposition.
What "Closed shop Means.
"The closed shop means that ne
man can obtain employment in that
: shap, except through and upon the
/ terms and conditions imposed by the
: labor unions He Is compelled to Join
} the union and submit to the dictation
] of its leader. ]. He is then re-
} stricted as to place of work. hours OF
work land therefore amount of COM
pensation) and advancement in posi-
] ton. regardless of merit: and some
times, by the dictum OF the union