The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-09-17

PITTSBURGH. Sept, 16.-sunporters
Of tho plan TO postpone the steel work
rrs' strike. called for next Monday
until after the industrial conference 10
be held at Washington, october 8. VIII
encounter firm opposition when tho sub
icct is brought before the National COM
mittcc for organizing iron ana slccl
workers, at its meeting here tomorrow
according to some union leaders.
The meeting. which will he attended
by representatives Of twcnty-four lahor
unions interested in the iron ana Strcl
Industry. was called primarily to make
final plans for initiating the strike IN
nil mills Of the country not working un-
der union agreements. But since inc
call was issued, movement mas oceh
started 10 have the strike deferred. as
requested by President Wilson. until
after the industrial conference.
The Amalgamatcd Association or iron,
Steel and Tin Workers. ono or the iarg-
est organizations among the animated
unions. will enter the meeting support
ing the strike next Monday. Tho cNccu-
tive board Of the Amalganatcd associ-
alton met here today and while nothing
officially was given out. it is understood
the sentiment of the meeting was that
now IS tho time to strike. 1t was point
cd out by leaders that If the industrial
conference should fail. it will throw
the strike back almost on the thresh-
hold OF winter.
Can't Prevent walkout.
Fear was expressed by some union
mon that if the strike Is postponed the
leaders could prevent walkout. INC
radical element among the steel work
ers. il was said at union headquartcrS'
would use Z postponcmcnt to further
the interests Of organizations outside OF
tho American Fcueration OF Labor.
Eoard members Of the AmalGamatcd
association said that certain steer COM
panics are dischargtnG mon Tor union
activity and that they did not feel they
could support postponement while this
alleged discrimination is going on.
On the other hand. there are elements
in tho committee that considered 1t a
matter Of wisdom to follow the wishes
or President Wilson. 1t would place the
organization ina position. il was pointed
out, Of having exhausted all means to
nrcycnt a strike, before ordering walk
out.
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation of Labor, who is
a member uf the national committee,
will not attend the Wednesday meeting
hut will hc represented. Mr.. Gompers
/. reported as favorinS postponing the
strike if ii will bring no injury to the
workers.
A half hundred organizers, who nave
boon at work in the Pittsburgh field Tor
many months in a campaign to unlonlZc
the workers, met here today. 1t was
given ou. they considered matters per-
dirccIIy n tho strike
Gary Committee Meets.
NEW YORK. Sept. l6.-The final COM
mitt"c OF tho United States Steel cor
norotion met here today. and remained
in conference for about an hour. Al
the close Of the meeting Elb"rt II. Gary.
chairman Of tho board OF directors. VINO
presided. was asked II tho threatened
strike had been discussed. He refused
TO answer directly but rcmarkcd:
The wave Of Bolshevism may yet
strike US
When Mr.. Gary's attention was call
cd 10 ClnimS OF the union leaders that
tho steel workers were 100 percent or
ranizrI' he reiterated his previous state
mrnt that according TO his information
not more than fifteen percent OF the cor
poraliQn'S employees were union mon.
, "Uowcycr." he added. II do not believe
in denying things I have no knowledge
Of" In regard 10 tho attitude Of the in
drrcndcnt steel manufacturers In the
, event Of strike. Mr.. Gary declared he
rather felt thcy would welcome It.
Mr.. Gary and President Farrell. who
also was present al the conference. both