Arizona republican., 1919-09-23
ADMIT STRIKE MAY DEVELOP
 INTO LONG AND
 BITTER BAT TIE
Union Officials and Heads
 Of Steel Industry Say the
 First Test of Strength Is Only Beginning of War
[RepubIIcan A. p. Leased wirel

Republican A. p. Leased Wire1
 At the end of the opening day of economic war between organized and steel industry of the country, both sides rested last night, apparently satisfied with reports received from the far-flung battle line reaching into 20 states and affecting directly or in- directly half million workers.
 After the first test of strength. in- dustrial leaders and commanders of labor's legions were willing to admit that they faced struggle which might prove long and bitter. Grim evidence of preparations made for the indus trial conflict were seen in the armed guards surrounding the mills, but the first day of the strike ended with no signs of serious disorder, except in New Castle, Pennsylvania. where seven persons were shot in rioting fol- lowing an alleged attempt to prevent workers from entering a plant and at Farrell, Pennsylvania, where one fa- tality was recorded.
 Strikers Still Unnumbered.
 Until the first smoke of battle rolls away, an accurate estimate of the number of workers who marched out in obedience to the strike order and the number who remained at their posts will not be obtainable.
 From strike headquarters in Pitts burg came claims that 2S4,00O men had taken their places in the ranks of the strikers, but although no state ment was forthcoming from the steel corporations headquarters in New York, company officials in the zone of k1~ tO yIo1 be aCtf- mate of labor leaders.
 The steel corporation, against which the main offensive is directed, was able to operate most of it's plants in the Pittsburg district according to company officials. In the Chicago steel center some of the largest plants were forced to close down. but others operated on a reduced scale. It was in the Mahoning valley that the strikers seemed to make the most headway, for with three large mills in the Youngstown district shut down and others running part capacity, the steel producing industry in that sec tion was reported to be fast approach ing general paralysis.
 In the Cleveland district, too, the strikers apparently made successful attack. Only four of the 70 plants
 
 leaders. 19.000 men are affected.
 Long Fight Expected
 Telegraph wires leading into head quarters of both capital and labor were kept warm as report followed report on conditions at 145 plants affected by the strike order. As it became evil dent that neither the corporation had been able to keep all it's plants in op- cration nor the strikers had been able 70 produce a complete tieup of the industry leaders began to settle down 10 the prospect of a long fight. In this connection t was announced that an important barley Of union labor chiefs will be held tomorrow when. it is understood the question of financing the strike will be considered.
 Officers of the Carnegie company, the steel corporations largest subsi- diary in Pittsburg claimed that all though their forces had been depleted by assertions, they had been able to reorganize the work so as to keep all of the important mills operating al almost 100 per cent. This brought emphatic denial from the labor camp
 Steel officials admitted that in some cases blast furnaces which they said they always regarded as their most vulnerable spot, had been badly crip- pied. The situation was met by bank ing some furnaces and concentrating the remaining workers on others.
 Bethlehem Workers Loyal
 An important announcement came during the day from representatives of the 35,000 workers employed by the Bethlehem Steel company. This was 10 the effect that they would not walk out pending an attempt to obtain t conference with company officials
 An example of the wide difference between estimates made by labor lead . CTS and corporation officials concern ing the number of strikers is found in Pittsburg. According 10 William z. Foster, secretary and treasurer of the national committee Of steel workers, 71 900 men are out. While in opposing quarters the number was set at 15,000. In the Chicago. district. company of- ficials estimated that from 70 to S0 per cent of their workers had remained loyal. while at strike headquarters in that city 1t was claimed 67,500 had obeyed the strike call.
 Labor leaders in the Youngstown district stated 30.500 men were out in the district proper and 50,O0O in the en- tire district which includes Sharon and New Castle. Penn. Company esti mates were much smaller
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