The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-10-09
TRIES TO keep
VIEWS SECRET
Foster Seeks to Exclude Report
ers When Quizzed by Sen
ate Committee.
SAYS PAPERS ARE UNFAIR
Michael r. Tiehe Answers Gary
Head of Steel Workers Union Says
Mills Head Misinformed by His
Foremen and Superintendents.

Washington. oct. 6.-Charging that
he ha9 not been fairly treated by the
newspapers, William q. Foster secre-
tary of the steel strikers committee,
told the senate committee investigat-
ing the strike that he would answer
question as to whether he was in
favor of organized government II the
correspondents were excluded from
the room.
The committee took no action on the
request and Senator Mcclellan, Demo
crat. Tennessee, and Chairman Ken
yon pressed for answer 10 the ques-
ton, which had been put by the for
mer. Foster said his views had
changed. but that he was unwilling
To say how far in the presence Of the
correspondents.
When Senator Mcclellan first asked
his question, Foster laughed. The SEN
ator then read from a book, which Fos-
ter agreed he had written, declaring
social revolution necessary In the
United States TO secure workers
rights.
I've repudiated that pamphlet
said Foster, but don't want my
views banded about by lot OF pre-
JUDGED lying newspapers to the dam
age of the strikers"
Foster said his own views had not
been used I'm the steel strike; that he
had adhered TO the principles OF trade
unonism." He explained that he was
raised in the slums and that when he
wrote the book he was "a follower of
the Spanish French and Italian union
system" Today. he added, he had he
come a little less radical, possibly
md was "a believer in American and
English trade unionism."
Reading from the pamphlet on Syn
dicalism" section saying that the
wage Garner proposes to ignore the
code of ethics and wrest from the cap
iiallsts the Industries they have stolen
and bring about the revolution by the
general strike" Senator Mcclellan
asked Foster If he entertained those
views now?
"Tl say do not" Foster said In
lowered voice
Giving detailed history Of union
activities I'm the steel industry, Michael
i. Tighc. president Of the Iron Steel
ana Tin Workers union. told the com
mttee that the United States Steel
corporation, instead Of Heading the
van in advancing wages, as Judge Gary
has claimed has Jagged behind our or
ganization.'
Conformation given to YOU by Judge
Gary" Mr. Tighc said, "was not first
hand evidence gained from practical
knowledge Of the industry. hut, in
stead consisted Of the statements
made to him by his employees, fore
men and superintendent II was far
and away from being the truth about
the industry"
Mr.. righc repeated the charge that
the steel corporation early in It's his
tory had appropriated $2O,OOO0O0 TO
fight unions and gave names of his
mformants. The unions, he said, had
never sought The "closed shop but
union shops"
when the management signs q con
tract ms to scales and working condl-
tious it is union shop" he ex-
plaIucd.
THE effect is the same ms a closed
shop, isn't ~" asked Senator Sterling
Uop) OF South Dakota
no said Mr. Tpbe 1--WE are not
asking for closed shops ana never
have.
Mr.. Tlghc read an advertisement of
1909 credited to the United States
Steel corporations which said: Men
Wanted Syrions, Poles and Rouman-
ians preferred"
THE gcntleman's (Mr Gary re-
marks about foreigners how" Tighe
remarked "arc not well taken IN view
of that"
"Do you charge that from 1909 on
there was O steady increase of foreign
workmen in the steel company's
mls?" asked Senator Walsh (Dcm)
o. Massachusetts.
ayes. / do" Mr.. Tighe answered