The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-04-09
ORGANIZATION
CAMPAIGN OF
STEEL WORKERS

10 the Editor:
Enclosed you will find copies of
reports of former Secretary-Treas-
urer, VIM. a. Foster, covering the
details of the organizing campaign
in the iron and steel industry as
well as the details of the expendi-
ture of the relief fund donated for
the benefit of the steel strikers.
Both these reports are, | believe,
worthy of your attention. The re-
port covering the organizing work
shows the number of men organized,
the brief time in which it was done
and the extent of the territory COW
cred. 1t represents an accomplish
ment without a parallel in the his
tory of the labor movement. This
report will forever silence if not
SHANE the class of men who were
fond of saying, "The steel industry
cannot be organized" 1t was Or
ganized. 1t also furnished a crush
ing answer to Judge Gary, who as
serted that only about 10 per cent
of the steel workers were organized.
This report represents an irred-
ucable minimum. Local unions
when organized did not as a rule
make accounting to the National
Committee for additional members
enrolled.
Whenever the National Commit
tee started to organize the steel
workers, it succeeded. 1t carried
on its campaign in the fact of the
most terrific obstacles. 1t was
confronted with all the opposition
that could be mustered by the steel
trust. 1t held meetings on streets,
on mountain sides, in cellars and
back rooms and in halls. But
whether the opposition was much
or little the work never stopped.
The National Committee began its
work on the theory that any men
in any industry could be organized
Iif they could be reached with the
message of unionism. This report
proves the correctness of this
theory. This report should con-
vey a lesson and furnish an in
spiration to the labor movement OF
this country. 1t means that with
the application of these same prin-
ciples any industry in America can
be organized.
The report of the Relief Fund is
equally noteworthy. 1t must be re-
membered that at the beginning of
the steel strike, there were as near
Nv as could be calculated, $4,000
men employed. 100000 of these
men were still on strike when it
was called off. 1t lasted about
three and one-half months.
To have handled the mass of sup
plies, shipped them to the various
strike centers and to have distribut-
ed them without friction or delay
to the strikers was little short of
marvellous.
Just as the campaign of organi-
cation was without precedent in its
MAGNITUDE and in the bitterness OF
the opposition overcome, so the
administration of the relief in a
satisfactory manner under so many
complicating handicaps has nothing
comparing with it in the history OF
the labor struggles of this country.
Fraternally yours,
JAY G. BROWN,
Secretary-Treasurer.
Following is the general report
on the enrolment of 100000 mem
bers by the National Committee for
organizing Iron and Steel Workers
during the American Federation OF
Labor organizing campaign from
August LIST, 1918 to January Slst,
1920:
This membership of 100000 was
secured in IL steel centers, scatter
ed from Pennsylvania to Colorado
and embracing % unions and an
unclassified list.
"This detailed report includes
only those members actually slsneu
IN bv the National Committee for
Organizing Iron and Steel workers
and from whose initiation fees l,OO
each was deducted and forwarded
Ia the general office of the Nationa
Committee. II represents approx
mately so per cent to so per cent
If tbe total number of steel workers
organized during the campaign ana
is minimum report in every
respect.
If the MANY thousands of men
SIGNED up at Bethlehem, Steeiton'
Reading, Apollo, New Kensington,
IeechhIIrg. and many minor points
which felt the force of the drive
hut where the National Committee
made no deductions upon initiation
fees. In Gary, Joliet, Indiana Har-
hor south Chicago and other chi.
caeo districts points, the National
COMMITTEES ceased collecting. on