Evening star., 1919-09-25
Tells Senators Judge
Gary Could Have
Ayerted It.
ALLEGES CAMPAIGN
AGAINST UNION MEN
Fitzpatrick Reviews Labor
Conditions in Industry
at Opening Of Inquiry.

.I0ndltl0ns IN Industry
at Opening Of Inquiry.
Corporation consent to meet repre-
sentatives of the men, the nationwide
strike of steel workers could not now
be called or, in the opinion Of John
Fitzpatrick, chairman Of the strikers
committee, as expressed today at the
opening of the Senate labor commit
tees investigation Of the strike.
"The $4,000 men on strike" Fits.
patrick declared. ARE going to de- .
mand from the United States States I
government justice, decent Justice"
Late in Arriving.
Fitzpatrick was late in arriving
from Pittsburgh this morning and
was crowded with senator's, repre-
sentatives and others interested. He
was accompanied by William H. Hu-
bin. counsel for the steel strikers. +
who. at the outset of the hearing. E
asked what assurance had been given
by Judge Elbert H. Gary, chairman Of
the board of the United States Steel Cor
poration, that he would appear before J
the committee next Wednesday.
Senator Kenyon replied that Judge :
Gary had telephoned him that he would
be present Wednesday, and added that I
until that time we will not question
his being here"
Rubin requested that the committee :
tween Joseph p. Tumulfy, socrefAry to I.
the President; Samuel GompeSu, 1pre0i-
dent Of the American Federation Of !
Labor, and Chairman Fftxpakr1ck5 re- Z
Senator Kenyon asked Rubia TO re4d
the teleprams and letters, which already
have been published.
Recites Conditions.
Fitzpatrick opened his statement |,
with what he said was q brf1f history +,
Of labor conditions in the steel in-
syk VIII u. cs..s,oa ID a. "a esr-
the object OF pushing otIgntz y work. I
ers out OF the milla she S6td. ~
great sum of Enuney, 4 don't. know
Mhethsr II was s., 1,e06,ee0 or t4e. .o0o.-ss
900, was appropriated In recent
tremendous importance OF the steel in I,
dustry and its influences on other I'M !.
dustries. 49,
while we were getting the eight ,
hour day and better working condi-
operated with very long hours and /
with wages below the proper line- :
Labor understood then the necessity :
Of organizing the steel industry for /,
the purpose Of controlling its effects 1
on the others and at the two last
Labor the step was authorised"
. a4 -
Organized About Year Ago.
twenty-four international unions as
filfated with the American Federation
OF Labor met in Chicago about q year
ago and effected campaign commit q
tee to organize the steel workers.
Samuel Gompers was elected chairman &
and money. the witness said, were as
sembled, but funds were 80 limited
that the initial organization efforts
were confined to the Calumet district.
including Chicago and Gary, Ind. &
THE men in the stee, mills" Fitx-
patrick continued, were, looking for
relief. They. had no hope. They re-
sponded in large numbers. and. 1t was
only a short time until we had a very
successful organisation"
Start Of Unionism.
up to that time there had been no
unionism in the steel mills?" asked
NO." Fitzpatrick replied. About
that time-October. 191a-the steel Z
corporation was resorting to every
effort to force action on the part of :
the men or Of the labor organization
to spread their influence. They an
nounced establishment Of the eight !
hour day, and we knew that was an
effort to prevent our organisation.
Senator Jones. democrat. New Mex
leo. asked whether the employees had
Federation of Labor for orgafiiza-
tion or whether the movement had
been initiated by the American Fed
eratioL. of Labor.
Initiated by A. F. of L. -
"The American Federation of Labor &
initiated the movement" Fitzpatrick
was there no movement of the men
inviting the organization? asked
Senator Jones.
mo. only as the men met in differ
ent localities and expressed their de-
why was it incumbent on the
American Federation. Of Labor to or
ganize the steel Industry Senator
Jones asked. ess:
ut was bad spot in the industrial !.
situation" Fitzpatrick replied "In s.
the steel industry the hours are long
the wages small and the treatment
you can't describe the treatment"
These conditions, he added, led 9th.
er large employers to consider impos. !
ing similar conditions on their en-
ployes, and so. for the benefft of or
ganized workmen everywhere In the :
country organization Of the steel In.
dustry was deemed essential by the
leaders of the labor movement.
About 500, 900 Employed.
How many men are employed in
steel mills? asked Senator Kenyon
sWe figure about 50o.0o0."' Fftzpat-
rick replied. : - 8
rick said the Steel Cooperation finally
gave assurances that It would estab-
lish an eight-hour day. but the steel
Youngstown, Pittsburgh, that orKan-
ixers be sent to help then1 he said
"The first opposition was met in Nc {
Keesport. We were told there we
could have no meetings In rented Z
halls or lots.
I'VE went to NcKecsport and put
the matter before city authorities. The
mayor said we coul6n't meet there
and the city council said the mayor !.
had full authority" 5gsAs
This was in October. 1918, Fttx- n
patrick said and the issue vas
brought to Washington.
"sssaidsnt GomDeEs ot tn A4a S