New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-03

ened Unrestricted warfare between the
employers and their workers.
AT the same time the commission, in
an open letter to The Iron Age, q trade
publication designated as the mouth
piece Of the United States Steel Cor
poration, asked why managers Of the
industry who were criticised vigor-
ously in the commissions report of
July % had failed to challenge the
allegations made against them.
The appeal to the people is signed
by Bishop Francis J. Mcconnell, chair
man of the Commission Of Inquiry,
and its vice-chairman, DR.. Daniel A.
Polling. 1t sets forth that forecasts
made in the July report-a document
which caused sensation in the steel
industry because Of the charges it
made that workers were oppressed
are being borne out. They justify,
the commission says. prompt action
looking toward the formulation of a
government board which should in
itiate free and open conferences be-
tween employers and employees.
Sums Up Three Developments
"Three developments have occurred, -
the appeal says, "since the July re-
port. They are:
81. The President Of the United
States has referred the report to the
Secretary of Labor, who has taken the
matter up with the commission.
"2. On August 3 the American Fed
Grafton of Labor announced that it
would make new drive to organize
the industry.
SO. On August II new association
OF steel manufacturers was formed
with the announced purpose of meeting
the attack of the unions"
The statement adds:
Our report was formulated last win
ter It's six months old predictions
are not denied by the march of events.
We hold that the events punctuate the
reports questions-cannot democracy
govern ITSELF must the public, fore
warned, rest inert while basic indus
try prepares trouble for all? Just be-
cause the strike is some way off, or
because the national campaigns to al
Locate our POLITICAL governance are on,
IS the great democracy to let economic
governance go by sheer default?
"The reports basic statements have
not been challenged; on the contrary,
the bulk of public opinion, as noted in
our open letter to the managers of the
steel industry. expresses a surprisingly
widespread demand for action on the
facts exhibited. The commission feels
that it can await with confidence any
recommendation being prepared by the
Secretary of Labor. Meanwhile we
call upon the public, under whatever
forms Of organization it merits the
term spirited, to offer services
of cooperation to the Federal govern
ment, to initiate or extend independent
Investigations into conditions in the
steel Industry, to meet the challenge
to orderly progress which is implicit
IN the present preparations by unions
and owners for new conflict The al
tentative possibility is employment
ployer conference, under Federal aus
pices. begun now.
Needed Reforms Urged
."The twelve hour day, involving hun
dreds of thousands, the seven-day week.
wages that make for unhealthy COM
munities and an underbred race, arbi-
trary management which penalties the
American spirit and corrupts its insti-
be left simply to the hazard of
striker"
In its open letter to The Iron Age
the commission says, in part:
"In the month since the publication
Of its report on the steel strike the
commission has waited patiently for
the public reply of the steel COM
panies. 1t is astonishing, though un-
derstandable. that not one statistical or
analytical reply from the criticized
managers of the industry has been put
forth to challenge the report, the fun
damentals of which were:
1.-THE twelve-hour day and seven
day week and the causes of the COM
panes' failure to reform.
"2-Wage and living standard an
PECORTS