New-York tribune., 1919-09-19
were given to tho same. Every one
present desired, II 10 we're possiblc, to
comply with your request.


comply with your request.
"Your request for postponemont
would have been gladly granted, were
It not for the following facts:
81. Mr.. Gary has asserted that his
men need no trained representation in
their behalf In presenting their griev-
ances, Notwithstanding that they can
neither economically, by lack Of means,
nor inteligently, by lack Of schooling,
cope with him or his representatives.
"2. That, ever since the men started
to organize, a systematic persecution
was instituted, beginning with dis
charge and winding up with murder,
recalling to us vividly the days Of
Homestead and the reign Of dcspotism
in Russia.
"3. Through the efforts Of the repre-
sentatives OF the steel industry, ofl-
cials in various localities have denied
the men free assembly and free speech.
Instances are too numerous where
meetings have been suppressed, men
arrested, tried on various unfounded
charges, excessive bail required and
cruel punishment imposed, all without
warrant in law and justice.
Give Specific Instances
"a. As one of many examples: In
the city Of MckcesporC Il meeting held
by the the men within their constitu~
tional rights was broken up and men
arrested and thrown into jail, charged
with riot and held to the excessive
bail Of $4,000 each, while one of the
hircings of the steel industry arrested
for the murder of woman speaker at
Breckenridge, Penn., is being held
under bail Of but $2,500 Another
patent example is Hammond, Ind,
fc, .lDfo al
charged upon and killed by hired de-
tcctives of the steel industry, and wit
nesscs in behalf of their survivors were
50 intimidated and maltreated that the
truth of The killing was suppressed.
"5. Guns and cannon have been
planted N mills. highly charged elcc-
trlc wires have been strung around
Their premises.
"t. Armed men in large numbers are
going about iNtimidating ont only the
tho workers, but everybody in many
communities who shows the slightest
indication Of sympathy with the mon.
"Threats and Intimidation"
~. Men have been discharged in In
crcasingly large numbers day by day.
Threats and intimidation arc resorted
to for the purpose Of putting tho men
in fear and prevent them from the
exercise Of their own free will, coerced
into signing statements that they are
not members, me- VIII become members
OF any labor organization, and threat
ened with eviction, blacklist denial OF
credit and starvation.
"S. That 6 forced decline Of the
market would be imposed SO as to wipe
out their holdings in stock. which they
were induced to purchase in years past
Threats to move the mills and to close
them UD indetiNiteiV
"9. That al organized propaganda
for vliitcatioM OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor spreads rumors that
the strike viii be delayed and that
such delay is only n scll-out.
10. Showing no opposition to the
men joining oual organizations. AS
result Of this propaganda the /. ". W.
is r.akirg rapid headway in some OF
the districts.
Wage Reduction Intended
al. That the rcal reason fer oprosi-
tiCn to organized labor representation
on behalf Of the men who have eriov-
anccs is that tho steel industry is pre-
pairing TO cut wages and to lower the
standards to pre-ws.r times and to re-
turn to a condition that encouraged the
padronc system. so prevalent in tha.
particular industry
"Mr. President. delay is no longer
possible. We have tried to find a way
but cannot. We regret that Tor the
first time your caii upon organized
labor cannot meet with favorable re-
sponse. Relieve us, the fault is not
ours. II delay were no more than de-
lay, even at the cost OF loss OF mem
bership in our organizations. sc would
urge the same 20 the fullest Of our
ability, notwithstanding the men arc
firmly set for an immediate strike. But
delay here means the surrender of all
hope.
Foresce Reign of Terror
"This strike is rot at tho call OF its
lenders, but that of the men involved
Win or lose, the strike is inevitable,
and VIII continue untii industrial dcs-
potism viii Yecede from the untcnablc
position nov occupied by Mr.. CARY
We have faith in your desire to bring
about q conference, and hope YOU will
succeed therein.
I'VE fully understand the hardships
that meanwhile viii follow, and the
rc'gn Of terror that unfair employers
viii institute. The burden falls upon
the men. but the great responsibility
therefor rests upon the other sidc''
Labor Discusses Eiasco