The New York herald., 1921-02-26

continued from FtfSt rage.
more anxious to find work than to in
dulge in a strike
There is a general rush on the en-
ployment offices of the United States
Steel Corporation due to it's ability to
keep the plants going. and it is reported
that skilled men-at least the best of
them-would be taken on by the cor
poration IL it were not operating on a
reduced schedule with practically no new
business in sight
A significant factor in the commence
ment of wage reductions Is that they
started in towns which were isolated, so
far as chances of other employment are
concerned, as in Johnstown, where the
Cambria Steel Company is the only big
industry.
Labor Il Youngstown has not yet de-
cided 10 accept the wage cut recently an
nouncei there by the Independent COM
panies. Neither has il decided to reject
the wage. but there is a strong under
current of dissatisfaction which does not
indicate that the reduction may not be
accepted without some sort of a demon
stration.
Various meetings have been held by
employees OF the mills, and the trend
thus far has been to reject the reduction
and remain away frem the plants In
event Of general RESUMPTION. This, OF
course. means strike. but 1t is believed
that before the general resumption comes
labor in general will fall into line. Many
steel workers in the Youngstown district
have been out Of work for several weeks
now. and are willing to return to work
at any price.
There ;s a general belief among some
steel workers that the suspension OF
plants is tor no other reason than to
effect a wage reduction in a peaceable
way. These persons point out that with
plants working in full the workers never
would have "stood for cut" but with
the plants closed down and no signs
OF any resumption. it would be an easy
matter to say: I'VE can give you work.
but not at the same wages you received
be fore" Steel men discount this theory.
however, and say the general tieup was
forced upon them by the buying public
which hoped by its strike to force
down costs OF material.
While none of the United States Steel
Corporations mills have announced any
reduction I'm wages. they have in many
plants cut the working days down TO
five a week and in some cases as low
as three and four. owing to lack OF
new business. At Rankin and Braddock
the American steer tllu w ii' RoiiPdhy
a subsidiary of the Steel Corporation, is
working three days a week Schoen-
berger plant Of the same company in this
city. four days week. and at Donora,
the largest plant OF the steel and Wire.
they have not resumed operation this
week at all as they had orders for only
200 tons and would not start the mill.
The steel workers employed in the in
dependent plants do not like the idea OF
cut in wages, but are willing now TO
work at any wage scale as long as they
get some work to do. If Il g corporation
does not reduce wages and prices OF steel
and a general resumption comes the in
dependents will restore the corporation
price and wages
There are 10000 steel workers idle in
the Youngstown district this week. 10000
in the Pittsburgh district and 10000 at
Johnstown and Wheeling. Next week
many of these men will be put back 10
work in Youngstown. as operating sched-
tIpa Indicate II