The sun., 1919-10-04
ANSWER is FORCED
ON STRIKE LEADER



-
called a meeting Of the entire commit
tee before acting.
For example, when the proposition
was made for vote on the question OF
striking some members were absent. Be
fore acting they were all called in to
consider II, and they unanimously de-
clared In favor of the strike vote. That
action was on July 20 last. II was not
an order 70 strike, but an order to take
vote of the unions as to whether q
strike should be ordered. II was directed
that the strike vote should be returned
one month from that day,
Committes Can't order Strike
THE committee itself has no power
to order a strike. 1t merely brings the
accredited representatives OF the men
together to discuss II and express their
own opinions Each man was known
fully to represent his organization and
to act for It. Then the matter goes to
the different unions and each takes the
vote on the question Of striking under its
own laws and populations.
They then report 20 the general COM
mittee, giving the, percentages of men
In each trade voting for and against the
strike In some cases, however. the
committee itself took the vote because
some OF the MEN were not assigned TO
the proper organizations and 1t also
took the vote Of the unorganiSed men so
far as possible. The representations TO
Us showed us that 98 per cent OF the
men---and that Ia a conservative state
ment---voted for the strike"
Can you tell the numbers in tho diff
ferent trades who voted for and against
tho striker asked Senator Kenyon
(Iowa)-
AS the returns were made in most
eases by percentages. l am not able TO
tell the absolute number voting" re-
piled Mr.. Foster.
Before the strike vote was ordered
the committee, as understand, had de-
clared itself in favor of striklng?" asked
Senator Sterling Is. d..
NO: the committee had only declared
in favor of taking a strike vote. They
submitted to the unions, to be voted on,
the simple question: Are you willing to
support the committee to the extent OF
stopping work."
Was any propaganda in favor OF
striking put out and circulatedT' was
asked.
None whatever" replied Mr.. Foster.
What discussion was held what wa,
it's general character about the question
of striking?" asked Senator Kenyon
Decide to. Ask n Conference.
ION January as last a general CON
ference was held at Pittsburg to ascer
tain the opinions OF steel makers regard
ing the demands that should be sub
| Initted. resolution was adopted askln<
a conference with the steel companies re-
garding the grievances.
Each local organization was repre-
sented by two or three delegates in thi
conference. A great many complaint
were brought forward by the men a
that time"
What was the nature OF these com
plaintsT' asked Senator Kenyon.
II sohuld say the chief of them con
cerned the lack of what I may call in
dustrial democracy. The men felt tina
they should have more consideration
They feel that there are two factors Il
an industry. the capital or property ant
the men. As industry is now organize,
the property has all the rights.
They believe that capital il a grea
factor. but that labor is also a grea
factor. II is true that the empioye
makes the investment, but SO. also do tn
men, who give their lives and their fami
lies and they are entitled to representa-
ton through what we call collective bar
gaining. That I regard as the funda
mental in this controversy. d.
The men are making a supreme effor
TO get II. II they fail now they mus
, so on with that effort. They have Ell
fected a big organization with which t
fight for it. but II 1t is not big enoug
then still bigger one must be forme
, and the fight must go. on until we win.
HAS there been any complaint sbou
| fl,A h lraA 40
, Kenyon.
Complaint About Steel Wages.
Many suggested scales and reorgan
lied scales have been referred to tn
/ committee" Mr. Foster answered. "Yei
; the complaint Is partly with respect I
wages But there Is a very strong com
plant concerning the hours the me
work. Our men look about and see tn
United States Government--which
, sovereign In this country II anything
Notwithstanding with its employees
through the representatives, OF their o,
i. ganizations. They see that the Govern
ment OF this great country does not bal
OF hesitate TO deal with and discuss a
these matters with its employees.
J at meets them, haggles and bubble
over particular schedules and works OF
> NnN ny buis pTOCcbs OF pal
gaining. And our men feel that IL tn
great sovereign Government OF thi
country can do this Gary and his Stes
: Corporation cannot fail to do the same
! You place collective bargalnin
. first?' said Senator Borah Idaho,
: Then the basis Of the strike lie the pun
pose TO establish that princpieg'
! That is a large part OF it. am pos
tive that II that right had been recol
J mixed there would have been no strike
At this point Senator McKells
tTenn.) suddenly interjected the quei
) ton that the committee and the aud
ence had been waiting for-Mr. Foster
syndiealism and radical views,
. He asked: "Mr. Foster, do you fay,
: organized Government
Mr.. Foster was slightly shocked
the audiences OF the question, an
hesitated a moment. The Senat,
handed to him a copy of the little r,
e book on syndlcallsm, which bears Fo
ter's name as one OF the authors, al
which has been the subject OF SO mu,
discussion since the strike started.