New-York tribune., 1920-12-15
Steel Firms
Said to Fight
Union Labor
Continued from page ono)

tabricators also was brought into the
limelight. Clifford was acting secretary
for the organization. Despite his state
ments that the organization was not
formed for the main purpose of deal
lng with labor questions, Samuel IN
termyer, chief counsel for the commit
tee, read into the record resolutions
and minutes adopted at the associa-
tion's meetings urging the support cf
the open shop movement.
Policy Of the Association
The resolution placed the association
on record as Recommending that the
policy Of the members of the associa-
tion should be to adjust their business
so that the steel fabricated by them IS
erected under open shop conditions,"
and instructed the executive committee
to use "all it's influence with mills, fab
ricators and business associations to
bring about the above policy"
Five other interlocking organizations
atii iiiated with these two bodies. said
Clifford, include practically all the
bridge and structural steel producers
Of the country.
Open-Shop Tidal Wave
Mr.. untermyer read into the record
some minutes of the National Steel
Fabricators' Association, disclosing
that Walter Drew, counsel for the Ma
tional Erectors' Association, had ap-
referred to 'the open-shop tidal wave
now sweeping the country, urging the
employers to consolidate the ground
beng gained and warning them not to
take advantage of the present break in
their favor by cutting down wages.
Starrett and Horowitz explained how,
under the present scheme, if they want
any steel construction done, they must
purchase the steel and have it erected
by member of the Iron League, who
does the work under open shop condi-
tions.
HAs between union and open-shop
conditions" said Mr. Starrett. "a good
gang of union men could do the work
Tor from 20 to 35 per cent less"
Coming around to his efforts to pur-
chase steel direct and his meeting with
Mr.. Schwab and Mr.. Grace, Mr. Star
rett said it took place about year
ago, about the time the policy of the
Iron League began to be felt. The Iron
League is an organization of steel erec-
tors and fabricators used as a medium
through which the steel people are
pushing their open shop policy.
Took Figures of League
"There were five or si': Jobs upon
which we were estimating," said Mr..
Starrett, "and those asking for our
estimates wanted to know when we
could finish he jobs. We went to Mr..
rangements ~ith him to get that steel
promptly. We explained to him and
Mr.. Grace the difficulty we were having
IN getting deliveries promptly enough
for our needs. We had discovered we
could get no figures on steel f. o. b.
and had to take our figures from the
league We had not placed the orders
then. We were just feeling around to
see where we could place them"
Mr. Grace told me" said Starrett,
"when l told him about the difficulty
OF getting steel, that they had just had
big fight to retain control Of their
shops and keep the union domination
out. He said, Don't you imagine for
a minute that we are going to let you
fellows bulid up an organization Of
union men who can refuse to erect our
steel and force union conditions in our
shops'
rs that the reason he gave for not
selling steel f. o. b."
ihat Is the conclusion drew from
what he said
What did Mr.. Schwab say?"
He told me, among other things,
that was getting in bad with the
steel manufacturers because | was the
leader in the movement to SUPPORT the
union erection on steel buildings as
against their policy Of open shop"
Firm Sold It's Equipment
4
struction business came about, Mr..
Starrett said his firm sent away or
sold its erection equipment. valued at
ABOUT $500 He said there we're
other sections OF the country where
steel could still he purchased direct
and be put up by the builders them
selves. The last contract undertaking
| by the Fuller company with union
labor was the Commodore Hotel, start
ed before the war
Can you erect steel with union labor
or not in New York ?"
owe have been unable to get steel
up to date"
Can you get all the steel you want
II you contract to take it erected and
put IN place by members of the Iron
Lcague?'
'Yes, sir"
Joseph II. Goldblatt, a housewreckor
started suit in the Supreme Court yes
terday against Robert p. Brindell and
Two OF his walking delegates, Richard
j, Ilke and Christian Chapman. Gold
blatt seeks to recover 81 1000 alleged
TO nave been extorted from him bv
the three men. The suit grew out Of
the testimony before the committee
ana was the basis Of an Indictment
against the men
Goldblatt alleges that while he was
complying with all union conditions
and hiring union mon, Brindell, through
his aids, called q strike on lob in
orncT 10 nillegally and fcloniously ex-
tort the $4,000. Men were not allowed
to return to work, it was alleged. until
the money was paid
lhe hearing will be continued to-
dnlX, when it is expected Mr. Grace
Will be called to the stand.
Spence VIII More TO Try