New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-09
SIS, 900, 900 N u cleus
Raised in N. Y. Under
written by 4 Railroads.
A. f. of L. Heads Assert
See Start Of Big
Open Shop Fight
Steel Corporation Said to
Have Given $500, 600;
Standard Oil in List

from INC 1ft0une'5 Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, July "a "war
chest" of 100000 has been accumu-
lated in New York City by an organi-
cation of merchants and business men
to be swelled to perhaps hundreds of
millions" in the country at large-with
the Standard Oil and steel trust as
largest ontributors-which will be
used ITO break the organized labor
movement in the United States" &C.
cording to officials of the American
Federation of Labor.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation Of Labor, said to-
day that reports he has received from
various parts of the country indicate
that the enemies of organized labor,
who have spent large sums Of money in
fighting the labor movement, arc re-
doubling their efforts, and that large
fund is supporting propaganda against
the "closed shop" throughout the coun-
try.
Reports from sources said to be re-
liable, as laid before Secretary Morri-
son and other officials with whom he
has conferred, are to the effect that
the 100000 fund has been placed at
the disposal Of the New York Citizens
Transportation committee and the Mer-
chants Association. This fund has been
contributed, the reports say, by GER
tain big business and financial in
terests, who have been named, With
the purpose that the port strike stu
alton in New York is to be taken az
a cover for starting an open shop
fight in New York and throughout the
country.
Four Rail Heads Named
The names of four railroad presidents
have been mentioned-Smith, of the
New York Central; Rea, of the Pennsyl-
vania; LOOMS, of the Lehigh Valley,
tral-as having sat with the Citizens
transportation Committee in New York
and having underwritten the five
million dollar fund, turning over ST.
100000 Of it at once for immediate
use.
Another report brought to Mr.. Nor
rison's attention is that the Steel Cor
poration, through Judge Gary, has COM
tributed 100000 to this fight fund.-
The Standard Oil, and several large
New York banks are also said to have
made large contributions.
Information has also come to the
American Federation of Labor officials
that a group of Chicago men, headed
the fight.
Union officials regard this as the be-
ginning of a great fight between capital
and labor for the establishment Of the
open shop in all big industries whers
the closed shop now prevails and for
the Illustration of the movement t.
establish the closed shop in industries,
such as the steel business, where it is
not recognized.
To Consult Gompers
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, is on
his way to Washington after attending
the Democratic National Convention in
suited none of the other officers is
willing to be quoted regarding labors
attitude, although it is quite frankly
stated that organized labor "can take
good care of itself in the coming fight,
as it has shown itself able to do in
the past
Information has been trickling into
the Federation headquarters all last
year that agitation was being carried
on in various parts of the country,
especially in the Western states, against
the union shop. The labor officials
have recognized that there was con-
certed action, even before the signing
of the armstce, especially among
those big interests labor leaders refer
to as "war protiteers," seeking to get
back to old conditions with respect to
hours, wages, etc.
At the American Federation of Labor
headquarters have been received also
several communications with reference
to efforts being made by chambers of
commerce and big business organiza-
tions to prevent organization of new
labor unions and to break down those
already existing.
"The same people are behind the
present 'slush fund that have been
fighting organized labor for years."
sand one of the labor leaders of inter
national prominence, "and they have
found it pretty expensive"
Morrison says that the "open shop"
really means "closed to union men,"
II