Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-09-21
TEST
 DUE MONDAY In
 STEEL STRUGGLE
Eve of Nation wide Strike Finds Both Sides Feeling
 Confident.
WHISTLES WILL BLOW
 AS USUAL ON MONDAY
Report Circulated That 10000 Loyal Employees of II, $. Corporation Being Sworn Into Protect
 Property.

Pittsburgh, Pa, Sept. 20.-The eve of the nation wide strike in the steel industry finds both sides in the con- test apparently prepared for the battle. Final arrangements were rushed today, the corporation paying much attention to plans for guarding their property and the unions leaders continuing their intensive campaign to unionize unorganlzed men. To- night, there seemed to be nothing to do but wait for the test of strength on Monday when he srike will off cially begin. Expressing confidence that the unions have not the power to compel general shutdown. off cials of the United States Steel cor poration and of the other steel com panes said they will blow their Whis- ties as usual Monday morning and try to operate their plants. They frankly admit they will do their best, and if sufficient men do not report. which they not concede, they will shut down until such time as they can command enough men to make it worth while to start up again.
 There is no talk of brining strike breakers into this district.
 The strike order affects approX:- mately 200,00 iron and steel workers in the inner and outer Pittsburgh dis trict between Johnstown, Pennsylvan. ia, on the east, and Youngstown, Ohio on the west. Union leaders claim that q majority of these men will follow the request of the steel work CTS national committee and erfuse to to ,trnrk MAnln,, Thn,, t4af not only union men will be in walk out, but that these will be joined hv thousands who are not affiliated witt, any labor organization.
 Municipal and borough officials in many parts of the Pittsburgh dis trict today also prepared to meet the situation and have taken precau- tions to maintain law and order in their communite.
 Mayor Wants Order.
 Mayor George II. Lysle of McKees- port, who. union leaders complain, has refused to permit labor organiz, CTS to hold public meetings in that city. issued long proclamation calling upon citizens to support the constituted authorities in their ef- forts to maintain peace.
 A mass meeting is scheduled fof Nee Kesport tomorrow. The mayor said it cannot be held. w. z. Foster, secretary of the steel workers na- tional committee. said it would take place as scheduled.
 IA report was circulated today that the United States Steel corporation was swearing in 10000 of it's loyal employes as special guards to pro- t4rt property. Corporation officials, following their custom, refused to divulge what police arrangements they are making.
 Despite all the prenarations for the strike by both sides there was still faint hope in some quarters that the conflict may yet be avoided. When this was brought to Mr. Fosters att tention, he shook his head and said there was not chance of stepping the walkout President Wilson's name is still frequently heard in the talk of possible intervention. Won't Close in South.
 Birminham. Ala. Sept. 20.-Iron and steel workers in the Birmingham district will go out Monday in accord ance with plans for general strike in the industry all over the country, labor leaders announced here today.
 None of the steel plants expected to shut down, according to official and every attempt will be made to continue operations.