The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-27
GOMPERS DEFENDS
STRIKERS DEFIANCE
Tells Senator's Walkout Could
Not Be Delayed Until After
Conference
FOSTER BECOMES ISSUE
Puts His Resignation Up to
President of the Fedora
ton of Labor.
FOSTER BECOMES ISSUE
sn.clni pe.pntch 10 THn Sun.

spsciai Despatch TO The Sun
WASHINGTON, Sept 26.-Workers In
he steel mills were beyond the control
a, their leaders, and nothing could have
,revented the strike until after the in
austrial conference called by President
wilson for October 6. Samuel Gompers,
cresident of the American Federation
Of Labor, to-day told the Senate commit
te. Investigating the big strike.
II these leaders or anybody else with
authority had suggested the postpone
nent of the strike 1t would have had
no result. Mr.. Gompers insisted. AL
most in the same breath. though. he said
that postponement OF the strike would
have dlsorganized the steel, workers
unions, put together with a great deal
OF trouble on the part of organized labor.
Mr.. Gompers said that the President
had tried to get e. H. Gary. chairman
of the United States Steel Corporation,
10 agree to a conference with represen-
tatives Of some of the workers, but be-
wish to give up altogether.
Attacks Steel Company.
Much of Mr.. Gompers's testimony was
gtyen over to an attack on the Steel
Corporation and the methods he charged
Il has employed for years. He declared
IN the course Of his appearance before
the committee that the "closed shop"
was not an ISSUE The real issue. &C.
l.
whether the steel workers have a right
to be heard through their representa-
tives and to have a voice in the conclu-
sion OF labor conditions.
Mr.. Gompers charged that the steel
corporation had undertaken an arrange
ment with shipping companies to bring
foreigners here to work in the mills. to
meet the charge by the steel companies
that foreign interests and not American
interests were at the bottom of the
strike.
Mr.. Gompers said that quoting from
the writings and utterances of Woodrow
Wilson when he was a college professor
should not be held against him now. He
sald that William z. Foster, I. w. w.
leader and 'syndicalist," a short time
ago. should not be judged by what he
has said and done in the past. Botn
men, Mr.. Gompers indicated, had ex-
perienced complete changes of heart in
their views on labor. Mr.. Foster is now
changed man on the question of radi-
calism, according to Mr. Gbmpers. and Mr..
Wilson has repeatedly shown a spirit IT.
sympathy with the aspirations of the
unions.
Illegal Methods Charged.
Attacking the steel companies. Mr..
Gompers declared that for years the
right of labor to have a voice in labor
eondtons had beel. denied. Illegal and
brutal means had been employed. he as
serted, to break up and prevent orgapizae
ton Of the steel employees. He recited
the fact that years ago steel workers had
Etwelve hour day seven days a week.
Requests coming to the American Fed
ration of Labor. Mr.. Gompers said, from
the steel workers seeking to be organized
resulted in these men being watched by
"spotters,' and detectives.
'The work Of thu detective agencies
in the country two years ago" he de-
clared was so per cent in dealing with
the plans aud watching, following and
dogglng men To and from their work.
agents of the companies sought to
lead men in sympathy with the unions
to commit some overt act or engage
prematurely in strikes for which the
companies were prepared" said NJ.
Goutpsrs. Even grumbling or express
Ing the hope that they might be or
ganized led to the discharge of em-
ployees. This system of espionage was
q greater one than ever was used in
the detection of a great crime. The pur-
pose of it was to put the fear of God
into the hearts of the workers and the
knowledge that If they attempted Or
ganizing it would be at the peril Of their
Jobs"
Most meetings were forbidden, Mr..
Gompers said. To get to and from some
Of the meetings which were permitted. he
said, the workers had to pass through
lines OF detectives and thugs, hired to
mtimidate and spy on them and their
doings In McKeesport, Pa, right now
The Mayor has forbidden meetings, Mr..
Gonpers said. 1t was suggested to Mr..
Gompers that this might be because OF
the necessity of preserving the peace
and order of that place. Mr.. Gompers
said that reason would not suffice for
closing the Union headquarters, where It
was impossible for crowd OF more than
dozen to congregate without discom-
fort.
Ahked>a POstpOnement.
After seeing the President a few days
before his transcontinental tour, Mr..
Sompers said. he conferred with the
strike committee on September 8 last
and urged that If possible the strike be
postponed However. these committees
sent out word that in compliance with
the strike vote the strike would be called
Tor September a. Then followed the
residents direct appeal for postpone
ment OF the strike, wired from a point
along his route and which was ineffec-
tive.
The Presidents appeal was forwarded
70 John Fitzpatrick, which resulted In
he labor meetings in Pittsburg on Sep
TENDER 1917.
The labor president went back to the
Of Paul labor convention OF 1918, when
was decided to organize the steel
workers. He said that 100, 600 men were
enrohed during the ensuing year, but
mat the activities of the steel companies
IN opposition to organizing were re
uouoled after the st. Paul decision. Men
were discharged right and left for be-
ohglng to the unions. he said, and were
tofoidden TO meet. When they refused
comply with this order they were dis
ShaIged, said Mr.. Gompers.
Al the Pittsburg meeting of Septem-
per 1917 Mr.. Gompers said. the presi-
uehts CT the twenty-four international
unions involved reached q decision unani-
mousiy that 1t was impossible to post
Lone the strike and voted for the strike
without dissent.
Mr' Gompers said he was Of the same
TTpinion as these twenty-four leaders.
me alleged tactics OF the steel COM
PahleS Tor the Daat two wears Iaff huf