New-York tribune., 1919-09-19

none responded in person. Three or
sour who sent letters favored a post
pcnement of the strike until after
October 6. Whether they have out
wardly favored strike or not it is
positively known that many Of the IN
ternationas presidents have grave mis-
givings in regard to il. They consider
that the organization for the strike Is
so poor and that the new membership
secured during the drive of the last
year Is Of such unknown quality, that
there is little prospect of success
Although membexs of the committee
talk confidently about being supported
by every one of TIE 1I6 international
unions and assert thes ample financial
provision has been ma.!e. i. is known
that the question Of tah.n.- care of the
men once they arc out Of he mills is
causing great concern.
Strike Finances Precarious
The committee of twen.y-four has
but a slender bank account. and it is
stated that as general proposition
there will be no strike berefits forth
coming from the various international
treasures involved. This means that
the strikers Will have to finance them
selves.
In fact. the precise relation Of the
various unions to the committee Of
twenty four was the cause OF much dis
cussion in the committee to-day, and
there Is some uncertainty as to just
how much real backing It viii! receive
from the intWna.ionsl executives. One
suggestion WIS that the executives be
CON PEELED to attend ard pledge their
cordial support. The latter arc re
ported 20 be 50 skeptical "a TO the
outcome Of the strike and 70 have 50
little confidence il tho methods q
Chairman Fitzpatrick and Secretary
Foster Of the committee OF twenty
four that they consider their unions
are not disastcously affected IN the
coming strike.
Consequently, Il is said that some OF
them viii render little mora than lip
service. though all will do that.
There is much oujecture here as to
President Gompers's attitude. HIS re-
tCsal to attend the committee meet
lngs and his ambiguous letter TO The
presidents Of the internationals. in
which he expressed the hope that
nothing would be done TO injure the
N.CSe u iaDb's - tdkti DE t!' s.Ctl
interests 10 mean that he cons ders the
strike to he lost before it is started.
but that he is playing safe BY letting
4 run its course. Whatever the out
come, his advice can be interpreted as
having pointed the ether way. Fit1-
patrick says that It means TO 80 ahea
With the strike. and he declares that
shat he 10 Gompers's representative.
Both sides express confidence, but
ne fact that the corporations are
making practically no preparations for
trouble strongly supports their attl
tGde.
Their position results from their
confidential Information chat they are
faced by numerically weak, poorly
disciplined and unreliable organization.
They are sure that only q small por-
lion OF the men are in sympathy with
tae strike and that many in the unions
giil not walk out.
They admit, however, that the strike.
once it starts. may feed the organiza-
'ion anyway. Any sort Of strike ia these
times. they say, is like mon&cying
around open gaso.ere with a torch.
SO they do not look forward to Mon
aey vita equanimity.
It is difficult to ascertain Just how
the strike committeeman really feel
about the outlook because their phi
losophv Of the situation is that, win or
lose. 10 strike is the part of wisdom.
They seem 10 be more pleased by .ho