The sun., 1919-09-24
SENATE ORDERS
STEEL STRIKE
INVESTIGATION
Judge Gary and William
Fitzpatrick Will Testify
Oh Thursday.
KENYON PLANS INQUIRY
Hopes 1t Will Provide Rene
dial Legislation for Ma
tiOn's Labor Troubles.
KENYON PLANS INQUIRY
Sp.cidI Despafch 10 TIE SuN

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-The Senate
ordered to-day an investigation of the
steel strike. The resolution was intro
duced by Senator Kenyon Gowa) and
directed the Senate Labor Committee
to make the investigation and report
as soon as possible on the causes and
facts OF the controversy.
Within half an hour after the reso-
luton had passed Mr.. Kenyon had
sent messages to Judge Gary and Will
liam Fitzpatrick, the respective heads
Of the Steel Corporation and the labor
| forces, asking them to appear before
the committee on Thursday. No sub
p9nas will be issued unless there is
refusal to attend voluntarily.
I'VE will have thorough and alb
solutely fair investigation with the
purpose of getting at the facts for the
benefit of the Senate and the country"
said Mr.. Kenyon.
For the purposes of the opening ses-
sions the entire committee will sit, but
| be named. 1t will he headed by Mr..
Kenyon and the Democratic member
probably will be Mr.. Walsh Mass }.
The other Republican has not been an
| nounced.
The resolution was not passed without
some discussion of the grave view which
| Senators entertain Of the present labor
| situation. There was some opposition.
| too, on the ground of the general In
| effectiveness of Congressional inquiries
/ into such subjects. Mr.. Kenyon ex-
pressed hope that the disclosures would
furnish a basis for remedial legislation
and Senator Smith Is. c. retorted thar
legislation interfering with the efforts Of
the people to reach a settlement of their
differences in the normal manner gen.
orally was undesirable.
Would Restrain Labor.
Senator Thomas (Col) introduced a
resolution reciting the danger of the
/ present labor unrest and declaring II 10
be the sense OF the Senate thrt strikes
for establishment OF control in industry
are TO be classed as conspiracies in re-
| straint OF trade. He allowed 1t to go
over until tomorrow. when he proposes
| to speak on It,
In calling up his resolution to in
vestigate the steel strike, Mr.. Kenyon
said:
II did not introduce this resolution
in behalf Of either side to the present
controversy 1 introduced 1t because OF
the great third party TO every strike
that Is not represented. That Is tho
public. This strike seems 10 be the
commencement OF trouble. Industry il
in a t'cklish situation in this country
and II needs every kind OF steadying
force. With nearly 100000 men on strike
in an industry that reaches into every
part OF our industrial life and touches
every family in this country, 1t seems
to me that Congress cannot sit idly by
and do nothing whatever In the matter.
'Certain demands have been made ap-
parently according to the newspapers.
Congress is not familiar with what those
demands are on the part OF the strik-
ers. Certain positions have been taken
by the employers. They say the strike
really is caused by aliens. That is a
matter we ought to know about, n
very important matter and the whole
an investigation by the Senate will glvs
to it,"
Wants Public Represented.
Mr. Kenyon referred TO the good re-
suits OF an investigation by a Senate
committee into the Paint Creek and
Cabin Creek strikes in West Virginia
and continued:
'Tt seems to me these men who are
striking. who are the leaders of the
strike. can be brought before Senate
committee where We can fnd out what
is the matter; and the owners of the
property likewise can be brought before
the Senate committee. The day is gone
by. 1 believe, In this country when
either capital or labor has the right to
preciprate upon the country conditions
that are destructive to our Industrial
life. My resolution proposes TO have
present representation of the great
third party to these strIkes-the paople
of the United States.
1--WE have no war labor board now.
do not know just the condition OF the
conciliation board In the Department OF
Labor, Out OF this may come some leg
islation with larger powers OF concilia-
tion and mediation. ! do not mean by
that compulsory arbitration. do not
believe that can come in this country
But 1t seems TO me that this great strike
Is the first skirmish in an Industrial
warfare in this country. and we may as
well face II.
There Is no use putting our heads in
the sand. ostrich like, and saying il
does not amount to anything. II does.
Let us face 1t, find out the facts, give
II all publicity and see II there is any
thing the American Congress can do"
Senator Knox (Pa-) interrupted, say
ing:
''It seems to me II what We see In the
OonttsSsd on Third Pa0a