Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-22
Union Steel Men Are
Attacked by Troops
Confined from Page ons.,

| men nad dccided NOT 70 report TO-
night.
Sunday was a day of expectancy
| in virtually all the iron and steel
mill communities in the district.
Active unionists were busy can
vassing men in their communities
to get an idea of the extent of the
walk-out, and in the afternoon mass
meetings were held in many places
in last efforts to persuade men to
join the strike.
| National leaders of labor unions
involved have long prepared for
the strike, in the event they could
not make a settlement. They say
they are prepared for bitter battle
and would not have gone into it if
they were not sure they could sus-
tain the struggle. Confidence has
been expressed that money to f.
nance the strike will not be lack
ing. 1t was said a meeting of the
national unions will be held soon
to complete plans for the support,
of the strike.
No Help from Wilson.
Labor leaders were asked today if
they knew of any efforts being made
/ to bring about suspension OF the
strike. They said they did not. Up
| to the last minute there was faint
hope held out that President Wilson
! might find way out, but nothing
has come from him to the union
leaders.
National headquarters of the steel
| workers were deserted today. All
organizers were out in the felds
holding meetings.
William Z. Foster, secretary
tire asurer of the national commit
tee spoke in halls at Rankin and
Braddock. He warned the men to
keep away from the mills and act
orderly.
At the headquarters of the Anal
gamated Associated Iron and Steel
Workers, the largest individual
union in the conflict, N. F.. Tighe,
the president, said much of his time
has been taken up in keeping men
at work in plants where the Amalga-
mated association has men. Argu-
ments were for them to remain at
work but not to perform duties for
men in other lines who were out on
strike.
Corporations Silent.
No information came from the
corporation side of the contest to-
| day. Officials of subsidiaries and
independent concerns during the
past week declared they would
operate their plants if they can, and
they have made all preparations to
|do SO and protect their loyal
workers and property. Guards
were on duty. at all the steel mills
in this district. City and borough
authorities Throughout Allegheny
county are also prepared for any
emergency. Union leaders in their
circulars and otherwise, have eau
toned their men against violence.
There was no attempt made to-
day to predict the number of men
who will obey the strike order.
moses will be counted tomorrow"
said Secretary Foster and we will
know pretty we'll by Tuesday how
effectively we have tied up the steel
plants. National leaders ridicule
statements of the steel officials that
not more than Is per cent of the
workers are organized. The lead
ers also claim that 90 per cent of
the steel workers in the union voted
for the strike.
Protests Attacks.
Secretary Foster sent telegram
to Governor Sproul late tonight pro-
testing "unwarranted attacks" by
the state police on the strength of
the clashes between members of the
constabulary and iron and steel
workers and sympathizers at North
Charlton and McKeesport. The tele-
gram follows:
"At North Clarion, Pa, today
while Representatives of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor were hold
ing meeting of steel workers at
place especially designated for this
purpose by the borough officials, a
detachment of state constabulary
suddenly appeared on the scene and
began riding down and clubbing the
helpless and innocent bystanders in
murderous fashion. Many were seri-
ously injured and many others were
thrown into jail.
Similar events transpired at Nc
Keesport at a meeting held on our
own property. We protest against
these outrages and appeal to you to
restrain the state constabulary from
these unwarranted attacks"
Remove Belongings.
Pueblo, Colo, Spet. 21.-Hun-
dreds of employees of the Minnequa
steel plant of the Colorado Fuel &
Iron Co. today removed their per-
sonal belongings from the mill in
preparation for the strike scheduled
for 7 o'clock tomorrow morning.
4, Even non-union employees took
this precantion in the belief that a
shutdown of the plant is inevitable.
s The company officials tonight an
nounced the plans will be open as
usual tomorrow morning, .announc-
ing that work would be found for
all who desire employment under
the "open-shop plan"
Union leaders predict complete
tie-up.
Plants to Operate.