Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-20
INTEREST IN STEEL
CENTERED ON LABOR
Belief Prevails That Companies
Will Defeat Unions in Efforts
for "Closed Shop"

New York. Sept. 20.-virtually all
the interest in the steel trade during
the last week was centered around the
labor situation. The various reports
which were received in this city were
closely studied and as result little
attention was given to the different
markets. so that not much can be said
about conditions.
On the labor situation there are many
opinions with regard to details. but it
appears to be the unanimous belief that
the steel companies will defeat the
unions in their efforts to bring about
the "closed shop" through having their
organizations recognized by the lead
ing concerns. including the United
States Steel Corporation.
The attitude of Judge Gary on the
matter is being followed by all the
others, both large and small, and al
though there was some fear early in the
week that the judge might possible
weaken a little in his attitude toward
the radicals in the labor unions, the let
ter which he sent to the presidents of
the subsidiaries, showed conclusively
hat he would stand firm.
Many of the smaller interests in the
industry are elated over this fact, and
maintain that there will be no diff
ulty in overcoming the strike. There
has been no change in the estimates as
to the number of men that belong to the
unions, namely from 10 to 15 per cent,
but in the financial district there is
belief that possibly 25 per cent of the
! men might have become affiliated with
4 he various organizations.
l The various rather irresponsible
charges which were made by the labor
leaders in their statements to the public
press during the last week are refuted
by all the highest authorities in the
industry. There has been reference
about humane working and living
conditions in these statements. In this
connection one official of n steel COM
Ipany said:
"When this fight is over and the
companies have been victorious it will
be seen on what side the So called hu-
name conditions predominant The
record of all strikes has been that when
the unions have lost the fight the agi-
tators and labor leaders who started
the trouble have left the vicinity of the
walkOuts and allowed the workers. who
are the chief sufferers in the end, to get
along the best they can.
1T will be the policy of our com
pany to treat the men fairly. even after
they have been defeated. We will not
hold against them the fact that they
have made u mistake at this time, be-
cause none of us is infallblc and we
all have made blunders in the past
The men naturally have been misled by
the promises which have been made to
them. They have been told that after
this fight has been won a 30 30 profit
sharing basis will be insisted upon.
Foreigners naturally have become
interested in the movement because of
these promises, but this must not be
taken to mean that ali the foreign ele-
ment is connected with the union. AS
n matter of fact there will prove to be
many loyal foreigners in the various
plants-men with families who hope to
make their homes here for all time.
These men will work as long as they
are allowed to.
+ "1ntimidations will be practiccd by
the pickets at some plants and this
might bring out more men than the
unions control. but at the moment it
appears as though those who are will =
ing to continue to work will be given
the proper protection, and il this is
done there is no doubt in nv mind that
the strike will tizzle out in less time
than many believe possible at pres
ent.
80 far as the American workers are
concerned, they are loyal almost to a
man. They are willing to continue
as in the past, and have no imaginary
grievances. Their futures denend upon
the steel industry and we will see to il
that they are not interfered with so
far as our company's mills are con
cerned,