Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-30
STEEL MEN VISIT
White HOUSE AND
EXPLAIN TROUBLE:
Confer With President ReIa-
tive to Treatment Received
by Steel Trust.
REClTE HISTORY OF LONG
CONTROVERSY WITH FIRM
Send Word to Union Heads to
Do All Possible tc Avoid
Strike.
LROAD MEN RETURN
Dircctor-Gcncral Hines Order to
Report Is Having Effect, Ac-
cording to Adviccs.
RECITE HISTORY OF LONG
CONTROVERSY WITH FIRM
l. r o AD MEN TURN

WASN'T NGTON. Nuguss tsa-Preyt-
"ent Hompers OF the American Fed
mittee representing tho employees of
the United states Steel Corporation to
sec the President regarding the threat
cncd strike and Afterwards lhcld a
conference with the committed
at the conclusion o. the conference
Mr. Tonipers refused 20 say anything
hpout the interview with the Presi-
dent or TO state what conclusions had
ncen reached with the men. At the
White House Mr., Gompers said that
any staiemen, on the talk with the
dent himself
The members OF the steel workers
committee came out OF the White House
in good humor and. although they
gave the impression that the Prcsi-
dent having, listened to their arr
raignment of the steel CORPORATIONS
methods OF dealing with organized
labor would follow his usual course
of hearing tho other side before an
nouncing conclusion.
The implication OF the statements
mace by the steel workers represcn-
tatlves is that the Presiden, viii com
muntcate with Judge Ebert II. Gary
chairman of the finance committee o.
the United States S,ceI Corporation
Judge Gary has steadfastIy refused
TO meet the committee which has been
him. or failing to accomplish that. to
set date for a strike.
Mon Ask for Justice.
from the mem bers OF tho committee
II vas learned that the Interview with
the President lasted for moro iban an
hour. during which time they reci,ed
the history OF their controversy with
me steel corporation and urged tho
Justice OF their case. Hopes of the
fui in securing the influence Of presi-
dent Wilson in inducing the steel cor
poration TO deal with them were
Ih ~,
the President would give them an ap-
following telegram 10 lanes Mul
holland. secretary OF the Gary Ailiel
Iron and Steel Workers Council:
,.-imnes,nd s,1e ", workers a.. are being dis
discrimination is for the purpose OF
forcing strike. The steel companies
arc doing tho same in many places
nut in spite OF this persecution try 20
means OF settlement have been cx.
nausted.
The executive council OF the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor is ncrot!at-
ing for conference with Prcsiden,
Wilson today. Steel companies show
oy their action detc crmination TO force
me me Issue sue before the President has
had a chance to pass on merits of the
controversy. We are doing all nos
sible to secure justice for the men and
10 prevent the national disaster of
"Do Not Strike" Snys Me..aEc.
do not strike under any circum.
stances until the strike date has bccn
sat by the committee"
Ihs committee of steel workers told
the President that twenty-four Inter
nationa! labor organizations were rep
resented by the locals which have been
formed OF employees of the steel cor
poration and which the steel cornor,
tion has refused to recognize.
They lso charged that the steel cor.
poration is discriminating against en-
nn}ons n1Goees M wh1 have joined the labor
OF union men are being made by the
steel companies.
me committee recited their efforts,
upon instructions by the steel work
ers TO secure conference with Judge
Gary and Of his refusal to see them or
TO recognize the rights of the union
purpose of dealing with the steel cor
poTation regarding wages. hours and
conditions of employment
Inc committee also described in de-
tail the miserable working and liv-
ing conditions of the steel. workers"
and appealed to the President to exert
ms influence to prepare the way for
giving justice to the men.
President Gompers and members Of
inc executive council spent the great
or part of the day in executive session
their consideration. One Of the oues
tions is whether or not they shall in
dorse the Plumb plan for disposing
of railroads.
Railway Men Return.
~ the United states railroad ad-
ministration It was said that Director
General Hines had nothing to add TO
his. ordor issued last night 10 the
strikers In California. Nevada and
Arizona to return to work Saturdny
morning under penalty of dismissal.
According to reports received here the
men are already returning to work.
Railroad labor leaders here pointed
out that Director General Hines order
to the men to lgo back to their jobs
was a natural development of the
situation.
President Jewell. OF the Railroad
Employees Department. repeated today
that no statement regarding the shop
mems vote on President Wilson's OFFER
OF 4-cent raise would be made until
the complete poll is taken. He denied
that the letter sent to the shopmen
urging that no strike be called for at
least ninety days. had It's origin in
Instructions from President Gompers.
Gay Ocean View.
G. g. o. Sunday outing. trains