New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-29
Ruin Disguised
I'm W ord Labor
A $ serts Gary
Small Minority Responsible
for Strikes Is Seeking
TO Undermine American
Constitution, He Insists
Surveys World Conditions
Tells Iron and Steel Men
Those Promoting Unrest
Do So for Private Gain

in q stirring opening address yes
terday, Ebert H. Gary, head of the
United States Steel Corporation
warned his hearers at the seventeenth
general meeting of the American Iron
and Steel Institute in the Hotel Com
modore of the "small minority of the
population that is threatening to
undermine the constitution, concealing
its design under the word labor"
an this presence" he said, st may
be asserted without thought of con-
tradction that our country is best of
all. Notwithstanding the United States
has only six per cent OF the world S
population and 7 per cent of the
worlds land, we produce 20 per cent
Of the worlds supply of gold; 25 per
cent of its wheat, 40 per cent of its
iron and steel 40 per cent of it's lead.
40 per cent Of its silver. so per cent
of its zinc, 2 per cent ~ it's coal 50
per cent of its aluminium, so per cent
OF its copper, so per cent of its cotton,
Sc per cent of its oil. rs per cent of its
corn and SIS per cent of its autono-
biles"
Survey of World Conditions
Gary's address was a general survey
OF world conditions. He declared the
majority of immigrants who had come
TO this country had done so with noble
intentions to better themselves. He
added that it was only small minority
that was trying to undermine them. lie
said the so~called labor leaders only
existed on economic strife.
"The present so-called labor strikes"
said Mr.. Gary, "inrolving injury to
and OprSDO in iOa+ cd
q part of the campaign to disturb and
demoralize the social and economic
conditions Of the country. In other
lands very serious results have been
accomplished by the same means.
as the disease Of unjustihed unrest
and revolt now E'cernible, progress
sive? VIII large numbers of our popu-
state in danger? Is she headed for the
rocks? Is there possibility of in
creasing storms to a degree which
would drive her to destruction?
"The answer depends upon the con-
duct and efforts of the sailors them
selves, and they include all classes oil
the people. The word class is not
used in an invidiOus sense. There are
no classes in the United States such as
have existed in othe~ countries,
an America those who seek to es-
tabl;sh classes and to secure discriml-
mating favors for themselves are not
prominent because of wealth. They
comprise a comparatively small minor
iity of the population that mas adopted
the word labor which signifies hon
cradle activity, with the concealed de-
sign of forming class which 1t hopea
will finally attract majority OF the
people and thus enable the minority TO
obtain one legislative act after an
oh q "a
undermined and the whole structure
destroyed
Discriminating Legislation
"These men have already secured
certain legislation, which is wrongfu'lT
discriminating. Some of them know
what the final consequences must be
that all would be lost in the ruins bnt
immediate personal gain is to them
sufficient justification.
"The volunteer guardians of the
public welfare and of private lndlvld,,
uals and interests are numerous ana
audacious. They WRAP about them
selves the cloak of sc -righteousne
and proclaim from the housetops. The
public has duty to perform IN eX-
posing and controverting hypocrisy
and sham on the part of the reckless
and the irresponsible. In its own IN
terest. it is bound to protect private
property, private business and capt.
tai"
Mr.. Gary said he believed the future
would be better for this country, and
conc!uded: we have reason to expect,
and | firmly believe; that now and
henceforth, more thar ever before IN
our history, q spirit of unity Will per
wade and control the minds Of all cltl-
zens from the President down; that
o.
sponsibiity to his country and to all
its inhabitants; that strictest economy
In expenditures and management, low
est costs and proper compensation Tor
faithful performance will be the UNI
versal sentiment, and that order,
stability, advancement and prosperity
will follow"
George Otis Smith, director of the
United States Geological Survey,
warned the 600 members OF the insti-
tute of the approaching crisis in the
oil situation. He said that with the
increase Of automobiles and oil-burnlng
ships the situation had become eX-
tremely grave.
c. L, Close, manager of the bureau
Of safety sanitation and welfare of the
United States Steel Corporation, de-
clared his company had spent ST., 0O0,-
900 for this work during the last eight
years. He itemized some of the eX-
penditures, as follows: s11 100000 for
welfare work, 81, 100000 for sanitation
$4,000 900 for accident prevention, $22,-
100000 for relief and $1,000,000 for
pensions in excess of the regular fund
Four technical papers on iron and
steel production were read at the after
noon session. The annual dinner Of the
organization was held at the Hotel
Commodore last night II was attend