New-York tribune., 1919-10-25
Cary's Stand
Is Upheld by
Steel Institute
800 Members in Conven.
ton Here Approve His
Fight in Washington Con.
ference for Open Shop

The American Iron and Steel Insti-
tute declared its firm support of the
open-shop principle, when 1900 of its
members, representing the entire steel
industry of the United States, in ses-
sion yesterday At Hotel Commodore,
voted approval Of the stand maintained d
by their president, Ebert II. Gary. at
the industrial conference in Washing
ton.
This action followed 8 speech by
Mr.. Gary, in which he charged the
American Federation of Labor with
the responsibility for breaking up the
Washington conference because its
representatives would not listen to any
scheme for collective bargaining which
did not specify or imply that the wage
earners in any dispute should be rep
resented only by union labor leaders.
The adoption of the resolution was
followed by several minutes of sus-
tanned cheering. NJ. Gary, in thanking
the members of the institute for their
tribute, said he realized they were hon
oring fundamental principle Of
American liberty which he had cham
pioncd with their aid
Resolution Indorsing Gary
The resolution. introduced by Joseph
G. Butler, Of Youpgstown, Ohio. fol
lows:
Whereas, Ebert H. Gary, presi-
dent of the American Iron and Steel
Institute, has rendered to the Amer
lean people and the American Iron
and Steel industries, a service of in
estimable value by his course as
representative of the public in the
industrial conference at Washington;
therefore.
Be it resolved. that the American
Iron and Steel Institute, assembled
IN its semi annual meeting, hereby
records It's unqualified approval of
Mr.. Gary's firm stand against the in
fringement of the rights of the indi-
vidual in labor or in business, rights
fundamental to American industrial
supremacy as we'll as TO American
liberty; that It admired the vision
and courage enabling him 10 discern
and effectively oppose the radicalism
injected into trade unionism BY un-
scrupulous leaders. an element espe-
clally dangerous under present con-
dltions, when world wide unrest has
created an opportunity for agitation
aimed al the perpetuity o. institu-
tons under which our country has
achieved its strength and our indus
tries attained their efficiency and
prosperity
Puts Hope in Public Group
Mr.. Gary. in his address, expressed
hope that the public group of the In
dustrial Conference, acting alone.
might achieve some important results
It would consider, he said the oues-
tions of general industrial welfare,
which should have been the subject Of
the deliberations of the major confer
ence, such as working hours, living and
working conditions, women's work.
child labor, recreation, medical and
surgical treatment. pensions, relief in
times OF stress, rates of compensation
schoo $. churches and other educational
facilities. ''All Of US, he said, "are in
favor of these principles and Of any
others that may be suggested which
NE believe will be of real benefit 20
the wage earners and the general pub
lie"
No objection was offered TO the prin-
clple Of collective bargaining, said Mr..
Gary. by any party to the conference,
provided that both employees and en-
piOyelS HclS 1iSe rum OutsiOe repre-
sentation and direction.
Against One-Side Bargaining
'All through the conference" SAID
Mr.. Gary, whenever the principle of
collective bargaining was discussed it
was apparent that the union labor
leaders would not support any resolu-
tion in favor OF collective BARGAINING
except on the basis that collec-'>e bar
gaining meant bargaining through
labor unions.
THE labor group, so-called. was made
up of union labor leaders, leaving un-
organized labor without special repre-
sentation. The same mistake seems to
have been made by the public that was
made during the war, namely, that
organized labor really represents the
workmen or wage-earners generally.
Notwithstanding, as q matter Of fact.
that at least S5 per cent of the total
are non-union men. not members of
any union organization.
THE employers group, in which were
men first-class in every respect, in
cluded men connected with large and
important lines of industry, and also