The sun., 1919-05-27
GARY STICKS TO HIS
LABOR UNION VIEWS
Tells Tighe Corporation Won't
Treat With or Combat
Them as Such.
STANDS FOR OPEN SHOP
Head Of Amalgamated Work
ers Says Answer Marks
Forward Step.

That the United States Steel Corpora.
ton has not changed its attitude toward
labor unions, as intimated in a state.
ment given out In Pittsburg on Sunday
by NJ. +. Tighe, newly elected national
president Of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers. il
shown in copy of the letter sent by
Judge u. H. Gary. chairman of the
board of directors Of the corporation.
made public yesterday.
Mr.. Tighe on May Is wrote a letter
TO Judge Gary asking that the assooia-
ton which he represents be ''Rivsn con-
sderation" by the corporation and
privilege Of having their Representa-
tives meet with chosen representatives of
the corporation to Jointly confer ON oues-
tons that mutually concern both" Judge
Gary replied to this communication on
May 20. setting forth that the Steel Cor.
poration does not confer, negotiate with
or combat labor unions as SUCH In
his statement from Pittsburg Mr.. TiRhe
said that this was the first time the
Steel Corporation had Acknowledged re-
ceipt OF any communication from the
association. adding: This letter marks
step in advance Of any ever taken be-
fore by the United States Steel Cor
poration in its dealings with organised
labor"
Judge Gary was asked yesterday 20
indicate whether or not the corporation
had In any way changed fits we'll known
attitude toward labor unions and. In
reply. he gave out tho correspondence
which passed between Mr.. Tighs and
him. The letter Of President Tiehe fol-
lows:
THE Amalgamated Association of
Iron, Steel and Tin Workers of North
America, in national convention as
sembled. by resolution have instructed
the undersigned to address you as chair
man OF the executive officers Of the
United States Steel Corporation on a
matter which. in the opinion of the rep
resentauves Of the Amalgamated Assoc
citation of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers,
Is OF vital import to the corporation you
have the honor to represent and the
Amalgamated Association.
AS you no doubt are aware, there are
serious disturbing elements in the indus
trial world at the present time; a great
spirit of unrest has spread over our COM
mon country; It Is becoming moro and
more acute. and there is no telling when
or where the storm clouds will break II Is
the judgment of the representatives of
the Amalgamated Association that Il Ia
the patriotic duty OF all good citizens
TO use every effort TO stem the tide of
unrest II possible.
The Amalgamated Association OF
Iron. Steel and Tin Workers have ad-
mitted many thousands of the employees
OF the United States Steel Corporation
into their organisation. These members
are asking that they be given oonsidera-
ton by the corporation you are the hon
orahle chairman Of In their respective
crafts and workings and also as law
abiding citizens who desire the privilege
or having their representatives meet
with the chosen representatives Of the
corporation you represent to Jointly con-
Ter on questions that mutually concern
both. Sincerely believing that the
granting OF their request on your par>
will not only be the means of allaying
that unrest but will also promote and
insure that harmony and cooperation
that should at all times exist between,
employer and employees to the end that
all will share In the glorior.- triumphs so
lately achieved In the late war, thereby
adding still more TO the lustre and glory
Of our common country"
Judge Gary in his reply indicated that
the corporations policy OF refusing TO
treat with or combat labor unions was
to be in no way changed. He said:
Il have read with interest your letter
of May Is. l agree that II In the patri-
otic duty OF all good citizens to use their
efforts in stemming a tide Of unrest in
the industrial world whenever and wher-
ever 1t exists.
las you know, we do not confer, nego-
tate with or combat labor unions as
such. We stand for the open shop
| which permits a man to engage in the
different lines OF employment whether he
belongs 10 labor union or not We
think this attitude secures the best re-
suits TO the employees generally and to
the employers. In our own way. and In
accordance with our best judgment, we
are rendering efficient patriotic service
| in the direction Indicated by YOU"