Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-11-14
Steel Strike Report.

very comprehensive an Illuminating
report has been submitted by the Senate
committee on education and labor as the
result of itsinvestigation of the steel strike.
1t reviews the main facts leading up to
the strike and discusses frankly and point
eddy the principal phases Of the contro-
versy. setting forth the committees conclu-
sions forcefully and not hesitating to criti-
CHE both the manufacturers and the unions.
The report relates the circumstances sur
rounding the request of the labor leaders
for conference with Judge Gary of the
steel corporation. and the judges refusal
to meet them. stating the attitude Of both
sides with fairness. But 1t does not sup
port Judge Gary in his attitude of unyielding
firmness. 1T seems to us" says the re-
port. that even 10 to is per cent of the
men had the right to select their own rep
resentatives and present their grievances
to the steel company. and that they should
have been heard. Judge Gary could have
announced to them, as well as he did
afterwards in his letters to the presidents
Of his subsidiary companies, that he would
not deal with the representatives of the
unions, etc.
On the other hand the committee sounds
a warning to organized labor in these
words: "Phe committee is of the opinion
that the American Federation of Labor
has made a serious mistake and has lost
much favorable public opinion which other
wise it would possess by permitting the
leadership of this strike movement to pass
into the hands of some who heretofore
have entertained most radical and DANGER
GUS doctrines" The report takes up the
record and the writings Of William z. Fos-
ter. secretary of the general strike COM
mittee, and comments in most u nfavorable
fashion upon his connection with the stee
strike. "Such men are dangerous to the
country and they are dangerous to the
cause of union labor" it states. IF Mr..
Foster has the real interest of the labor
ing man at heart he should remove him
self from any leadership \ II he will not
remove himself from leadership, the Ameri
can Federation of Labor should purge itself
of such leadership in order to sustain the
confidence which the country has had in it
under the leadership Of Mr.. Gompers."
1t is particularly pleasing to note in this
report the recognition which the committee
extends to the rights of the public in in
dustrial controversies. Upon this point it
says There is third party to all this
controversy great public. There is
no place in this country either for indus
trial despotism or labor despotism. No
one should be permitted to unjustly cause
the great body of the public to suffer"
Five recommendations of remedial
nsture are put forward by the committee.
These may be briefly stated as follows
First, the establishment Of a Federal
industrial commission with power of COM
pulsory investigation to develop the facts
in industrial disputes and to decide as to
their merits but not with authority to
enforce its findings. that being left to the
weight of public sentiment. Compulsory
arbitration is not proposed, but it is rec
commended that pending investigation by
this Federal board, there shall be no strike
or lockout.
Second, the enactment by Congress OF
an Americanization law providing for the
effective education and AUGMENTATION
Of illiterates. alien and native.
Third-The extension Of aid by steel
manufacturers. and possibly by Congress,
to workmen to enable them to own Their
own homes. as an antidote for unrest.
Fourth-More stringent naturalization
laws.
Fifth-The enactment of an effective
law dealing with anarchists. revolutionist:
and all who would destroy the American
government.
These recommendations are well worth
the earnest consideration Of Congress. fol
they all are along the line Of suppressine
the anti-American movement which is al
the bottom of most Of the industrial unrest