The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-20

NSohtAhN0N AAS'--
that the union would begin counting
noses" Monday.
Hear Plants Being Fortified.
Mr.. Foster was also asked whether
he knew of steel companies thruout
the country terrifying their plants ana
sail that the committee had been re-
ceiving reports for long time that
guns. machine guns and ammunition
have been taken into mills from time
to time The national committee has
no direct information this morning re-
garding the situation il Colorado
where organized men employed in the
Colorado Fuel & Iron company have
been asked to strike Most OF the
workers in this company, 1t was SAID
are enrolled in the company union
known as the Rockefeller plan, Adolf
ton of company unions is one OF the
demands of the American Federation
OF Labor.
In the absence of positive develop
ments IN the impending strike, aside
from one or two mills closing temper
arily. all manner of reports and ru-
mors of preparations being made by
the companies floated about Pitts
burgh These had TO do with string
ing of barbed wire and alleged arm
ing of plants. but all were beyond veri-
flcation.
The Allegheny and West Penn mills
at Breckenridge suspended operations
today to enable the men to hold a
meeting at which they will consider
the action they will take with regard
to the strike. The company, at the
same time, issued a statement assert
ing its opposition to the closed shop.
In event of a closed shop, il was
stated, the plant will endeavor to con-
tinue to operate with loyal employees
Secretary Foster, of the steel work.
ers' committee, claims several indie
pendent steel plants are already
negotiating for settlements.
Largest Zinc Plant Loyal.
Mills which were reported have an
nOunced their intention to close to-
night include those Of Rankin, Brad
dock, Etna and Homestead and in
Pittsburgh proper. From the same
! source a report was circulated that the
| Sonora plant, the largest zinc plant
! of the United States Steel corporation,
/ will remain in operation, Is the en-
| ployes sent a. delegation to officers
| of the company assuring them of 100
| per cent loyalty.
Those plants which will remain
working will continue to do so, the re-
ports aver only so long as operations
are not interfered with. Should the
mills close, it is unofficially estimated
! that by Monday morning $4,000 men
| will be idle.
Deny Intention of Force.
| Chicago. Sept. AUTHORIZATIONS for
a gigantic industrial battle were made
| here today with a strike of steel
workers practically certain
! Unions denied any intention OF
| force. Steel companies dotting the en-
! tire Chicago Industrial district, re-
/ gardless of the denials, fortified them
! selves for a siege. Food in huge guam
/ titles was taken behind the high
wooden barbados which surround
most of the plants.
! Company officials asserted only a
minority of their employees would
strike. They expected TO keep loyal
workers inside the plants for so long a
| time as necessary. 1t was denied ar
| rangements had been made for armed
guards and detectives to guard the
works. but union officials said there
was evidence the employers were thus
preparing.
In the Chicago district there are
over 80. 900 steel workers In addition
there are hundreds of concerns de-
pendent upon the output of steel for
| operation. If the strike should extend
over long period, the production OF
agricultural tools, automobiles, factory
machinery. wire fences and numerous
other articles will be hampered.
One plant the Illinois Steel COM
pany at South Chicago, manufacture:
there the stock of completed rails is
sufficient to meet any demand arising
for several months.
Fear Violence in Ohio.
Cleveland. o., Sept. 20.-Steel man.
ufacturers in Ohio were reported APP
prehensive of violence If the stee
strike goes into effect Monday, and
4 are appealing to local authorities e
help guard their properties, according
to reports here today.
A group of manufacturers repre-
senting the districts of Canton, Massil
lon and Alliance have asked the
sheriff of Canton to appoint ESQ depu.
ties with police powers, TO be ready
to act IN emergencies. Manufacturer
here will be afforded police protection
where necessary, they were assured.
Leave 1t to Separate Companies.
New York, Sept 20.-It was learned