Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-28
u. S. STEEL STRIKE JUST,
INTERCHURCH BOARD SAYS
Corporation Severely Criticized in Report MadePresdent
Wison asked to Appoint Commission
BY the Associated Press

to the American Federation of Labor
rules and principles.
| "(b) That while radicals sympathized
with the strikers, as was natural, they
were cffcctually debarred by the strike
leaders and that far from having influ
cncc in it, they often denounced and
opposed those who conducted the strike.
Grievances Are Real
"Wc find the grievances to have been
real" continued the report as fol-
lows:
"(a) The average week of 6S.7
hours the twelve hour day, whether
on straight twelve hour shift or on Il
broken division of lib or 1O-14 the
unbroken twenty four hour period at
the turn of shift, and the underpay-
ment of unskilled labor, are all inhu-
man.
"(b) 1t is entirely practicable to put
all processes requiring continuous op-
Grafton on a straight eight hour basis
as is illustrated by the Colorado Iron
and Fuel Co. These processes require
the services of only fraction of the
workers.
"(c) The boss system is bad. the
plant organization is military and the
control autocratic The companies
claim that they accord the right to join
unions and the opportunity of confer
cnce is theoretical; neither is allowed
in practice.
"(d) The use of under cover men is
severely condemned. 1t breeds distrust.
breaks down morals and stimulates i'll
Will; 1t is undcmocratic and un Amcri
can.
"(e) The refusal of the United States
Steel Co. to confer. to accept media
tion and tits attitude of hauteur as
shown by its rcfusaD to follow the
recommendations of the War Labor
Board melted labor strife and be-
cause of the strength and influence Of
this corporation forms one of the
greatest obstacles to a just settlement
of industrial grievances and unrest at
this time.
The strike was defeated" the find
ings declare, ''by (a) The strike break
ing methods of the steel companies and
their effective mobilization of public
opinion against the strikers through the
charges of radicalism, bolshevism and
the closed shop. none of which were
justified by the facts; and by the sup
preston of civil rights.
Broke Strikers Morale
"(b) The hostility of the press giving
biased and colored news and the silence
of both press and pulpit on the actual
question of justice involved; which
attitude of press and pulpit helped to
break the strikers morale.
'(c) Public fear of a general labor
war due to the coincidence of the coal
strike and threat OF the railroad strike,
together with labor's failure to formu
late and explain its purposes with re =
gard to public service.
'(d) The nrpyailinp praiud;oo &c tho
steel towns and in the general public
mind and among the English speaking
working men against the foreigners who
constituted the overwhelming numbers
! of the strikers.
"(e) The ineffective support given
the strikers by most of the twenty four
affiliated craft unions through which it
was organized and by the American
Federation of Labor
The recommendations OF the commits
sion follow:
First. The adoption of the eight
hour shift on all continuous processes,
Second. Limiting of the day to not
more than ten hours on duty with not
more than a six day and II ..fty four
hour week. with at least minimum
comfort wage.
Third. Recognition of right to ioin
regularly craft unions or any other
freely chosen form of labor organiza
ton; recognition of right to open con =
ference; either through shop commit
tees or union representatives rccogni :
tion of right of collective bargaining.
Fourth. A vast extension of house
building by the communities where DOS
sble; by the steel companies where
community building is inadequate or
impossible.
Fifth. That organized labor:
"(a) Democratize and control tho
unions, especially in regard to the
calling, conduct and settlement of
strikes,
"(b) Recognize unions with view
Of sharing in responsibility for pro :
ductiOn and in control of production
processes to this end:
First, Repudiating restoration
production as a doctrine.
Second. Formulating contracts
y which can be lived up to.
Third. Finding substitute for the
closed shop wherever it is union
practice.
,"!c,) Scrupulously avoid all advocates
of violence.
I'D Accept all possible proffers of
! publicity and conciliation.