The sun., 1919-09-16
DENIES DEFERMENT
OF STEEL WALKOUT
w. q. Foster, Labor Organizer,
Calls Optimistic Reports
Propaganda.
LEADERS TO MEET AGAIN
Superintendent Of Pittsburg
Plants Preparing for
Shutdown.
LEADERS TO MEET AGAIN
SPECIAL pespateh to rnn spx.

PIrTsBURG, Sept. is. Absolutely
nothing to tho report that the walkout
of iron and steel workers has been de-
ferred." declared w. z. Foster, secre-
tary of the National Organization Com
mittee of the American Federation of
Labor this morning
IL have been in communication with
Mr.. Gompers and I know what I am
talking about. No one has any author
ity to postpone the strike. That is a
question that can only be settled by the
executive board. They have not met
and consequently no action such as re-
ported has been taken"
Mr.. Fosters emphatic declaration was
made in response to question as to
the truth of the report that the strike
Of iron and steel workers called for
September 22 had been deferred until
after the Labor Conference called for
october 6 In Washington. To show fur
Their the falsity of the report Mr.. Foster
stated that the executive committee had
been called for a conference on Wednes-
day to complete plans for the handling
Of the strike and that the meeting would
take place as scheduled.
Calls 1t Propaganda.
Pure invention" and steel Corpora
ton propaganda" was the definition
given by Mr.. Foster for the reported
postponement
Superintendents of several big steel
plants in this district were not deferred
from preparing for a long close down of
their mills by the reported strike post
ponement. Every steel corporation plant
In the Pittsburg district anticipates a
waikout on September 20 and will be
ready for It
PrTrsBUR5. Pa, Sept l6.-whether
the strike in the steel industry. called
for next Monday. will be deferred until
after the industrial conference sum-
moned by President Wilson to be held at
Washington, October 6, will depend upon
the action OF the National Committee for
Organizing Iron and Steel Workers meet
ing here Wednesday.
Labor leaders here interested in the
purposed steel strike said they were not
sure that the wishes OF President Wilson.
who desires the postponement of the
strike. Will be carried out. It all de-
Ponds upon reports to be made at the
meeting, one of the leaders said.
NJ. f. Tlghe of Pittsburg. president of
the Amalgamated Association of Iron.
Steel and Tin Workers, said tonight
he had received letter from Samuel
Gompers, president OF the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, enclosing the proposal
Of President Wilson that the walkout
hr postponed. Mr.. Tighe would not say
whether no would support a move -
defer the strike but said the result OF
the meeting is 'problematical"
Organizers Discharged.
He said It might be difficult to CON-
vince the national presidents of unions
affiliated in the steel industry, composing
the national committee, because Of con-
diuons surrounding the workers Com
panies continue to discharge men for
organizing or presenting wage scales, he
declared.
only this afternoon received a re-
port that workmen were discharged in
a tin mill at McKeesport for presenting
a scale OF wages" he asserted.
II is said here that President Wilson's
telegram asking for a postponement of
the strike was received after the ma
tional committee had decided TO call
the steel workers out. The fact that
his telegram came after that action will.
1t 10 said, have strong weight among
union leaders to reconsider the decision
reached at Washington last week.
In the meantime, preparation for initi-
ating the strike are going forward, &C
oording to William z. Foster, secretary
treasurer of the national committee.
There will be a conference OF ORGANIC
ers tomorrow, in preparation for the
meeting OF the national committee
Wednesday.