New-York tribune., 1920-04-20
Gary Opposes
One Big Union;
ForOpenShop
Recognizes Labor's Right
to Organize; Insists
on Government Contro!
as Democratic Principle
Talks to Stockholders
Defends Policy of Adding
to Value of Securities;
Discusses Court Verdict

Strong opposition to the one big
union in industry so far as the United
States Steel Corporation is concerned
xas expressed by Ebert H. Gary al
The annual meeting Of stockholders in
Hoboken yesterday. Mr.. Gary recog-
nized the right of labor to organize
but insisted on governmental regula-
ton of unions and demanded the open
shop as a democratic principle.
Mr.. Gary was optimistic of the cor
porstions future, and expressed the
belief that the management's policy
Of adding to the intrinsic value of the
stock would be reflected in selling
prices. He took occasion to discuss
the Supreme Courts Interpretation of
the Sherman law in favor of the COR
poration. Regarding the labor situa-
ton, be said:
1--WE believe. and we think the gen
eral public is of the same opinion, that
the welfare of mankind shall not be
promoted by the one big union, by the
organization of the entire industry of
the country. or by the control of in
dustry under the arbitrary direction of
an organized minority.
Public Will Paramount
"A studious. thoughtful, fair minded
intelligent general public is at present
considering these vital questions, for
they are paramount in the determina-
ton Of the great economic and social
questions of the day.
1--WE do not combat labor unions as
such. We, of course, acknowledge the
national right of labor to organize,
but we insist that labor organization
should be subjected to governmental
control and regulation. Discrimina-
ton by law in favor of or against any
particular class is detrimental to the
interests of the general community.
1t contradicts the fundamental prin-
ciples Of our government.
.We stand for the open shop, which
permits a man to work when and where
he pleases, whether he does or does
not belong to labor union. Our men
generally do not belong to labor
unions because they know by long
experience it is to their advantage
to be free from dictation by outsiders.
"We have splendid, efficient organ
ization, and we seek to demonstrate
this in practice. We know that for
real success the management is de-
pendent upon the workman, as the
workmen are likewise dependent upon
the investment in the business and
the talent employed to utilize to the
best advantage the opportunities Of
fered.
Believes in Cooperation
I'VE believe in cooperation between
the employer and employee; in afford
ing every employee the chance to ad-
vance without interference or restric-
tion by outsiders and to become pc
interested in the property
and business. Scores of thousands OF
our workers are stockholders:
Concerning steel prices, Mr.. Gary
said:
Enquiry has been made by some of
our stockholders as to why we hold the
selling prices of our commodities down
to those which were fixed by agree
ment between the Industrial Board and
steel manufacturers at Washington
March 81, 1919
'It seems to us the problem of high
cost of living is of convincing i'm
portance. When the increasing ten
dency is to insist upon payment of un-
reasonable sums for every commodity
and for every service we think there is
q moral obligation on the part of every
one to use all reasonable efforts to
check this carnival of greed and impo-
stion, even at some sacrifice.
"The man with a fixed income is
more and more disadvantaged and he
is helpless. Therefore, it should be
the effort of all to establish and main
tain reasonable basis of prices; ceY-
tainly to prevent further increases;
otherwise the government must inter
fere.
Moreover, it is believed that the
selling prices of most of the diversified
products Of the corporation, for the
present at least, are high enough"
Increase Value of Stock
SforkbolJoro hava ann otiros wrift ton