The Washington times., 1919-09-25
SENATE PROBE AIMS.
AT STRIKE TRUCE.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

ing to every method to prevent the
organization" =" said Fitzpatrick.
''The American Federation OF Labor
initiated the movement 10 organize
the steel workers" Fitzpatrick said in
reply to a question from Senator
Jones Of New Mexico.
The eight hour day was the first
attempt to thWart organization, -
Fitzpatrick said. ''The- men wouldn't
pay any attention to promises. So we
went into the Pittsburgh district,
feeling we had the legal and citizen
ship rights to meet and discuss these
questions.
The hrst opposition we met was
in McKeesport. We were met with
all kinds of, resistance. We we're told
that we couldn't have a meeting Of
any kind in hall or a vacant lot"
Mayor Refused Meeting.
The national committee then took
the matter up with the mayor, Fitz-
patrick said. ''and the mayor OF Nc
Keesport said we absolutely couldn't
meet"
Fitzpatrick. accompanied by W, B.
Rubin, counsel for the steel strikers,
entered the committee room ten min
utes after the hour hxed for the hear
ing.
'1Ir. Chairman. may ask what as
surances there are that Mr.. Gary will
heed the request Of this committee"
asked ". p. Rubin, counsel for the
strikers at the outset Of the inquiry.
81 have only Mr.. Gary's word" an
swered Senator Kenyon.
Rubin read kilograms exchanged
between Joseph Tumulty and Samuel
Gompers asking that the steel strike
be postponed until after the indus
trial conference, set for October 9.
Fitzpatrick's letter in reply to Comp
ers' request that the strike be held
in leash" declared that amy post
ponement would mean entire demoral-
ization."
Forced To Strike.
In a telegram to President Wilson,
Fitzpatrick declared the strike was
ordered after calm and cool consid-
eration;'- that "every one desired to
comply with the Presidents request
for pOstpOnement, but that Gary's
attitude and systematic persecution,
ending in murder" made the strike
1--WE thought that was a very seri-
Gus situation, when men were denied
the matter up with Mr. GOmpers,"
continued.
H1dr. Gompers addressed a letter to
the mayor OF McKeespoTt and the
governor Of Pennsylvania President
GOmpers' letters were not answered.
I'VE got no relief
"In all the other points throughout
Pennsylvania We met the same kind
OF opposition.
CIamOF Began In May.
"By May, 1919, we had something
like $1,000 men in the organization.
These men were clamoring for relief.
They wanted to take some action. We
prevaired upon them 70 g patient.
"In the June convention Of the
American Federation OF Labor was
able to report over 100000 men in the
organization. also reported the de-
nial Of the right Of free speech.
president Gompesr addressed q
letter to President Gary. asking a
meeting for the purpose OF discussing
this situation. The letter was ignOT-
ed. In the meantime, all Of the
strength and power Of the United
States Steel Corporation was directed
against our organization. We had
the worst kind Of opposition.
"The international organization
were asked to take a strike vote, and
II the conferences which were being
asked were not granted, the men wre
told we would take action Ninety
eight per cent OF the men we were
able to reach authorized their lead
ers to call a strike"
what was the total number OF
members in the steel mills at the
time the vote was taken?" asked
Senator WOlcott.
About 100000" replied Fitzpat-
rick
The total in the indusetry?" puF-
sued Senator Wolcott.
About 500, OOO." answered Fitz-
patrick. I'VE had one-fiffth, and we
thought we had the right to ask for
a conference"
How many members have you
now p asked Senator Wolcott.
Our report yesterday showed 340,-
0OO," answered Fitzpatrick
we went 70 Judge Gary's office
We sent in our cards. He sent out
word asking to be# excused from a
personal interview, and asking that
we submit our business in writing.
We submitted our proposition. and
Immediately got an answer from
Judge Gary stating that he didn't
think We represented the men. and