The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-11-25

who work on "gentlemen's agreement"
under the guidance of U. S. Steel. In
the nine months of 1925, U. S. Steel
earned $122,OOO, 900, equalling the re-
turns of 1924
i The last quarters returns are $11,-
100000 more than the same period of
1924. The steel industry is working
from 80 to IS capacity, according to
the statement of the steel barons,
which accounts for the huge prosper
ity that it is enjoying-that is to say,
the steel owners.
Prosperity-For Bosses.
Mr. Schwab, president Of the Beth
lehem Steel corporation, forsees con-
tinued prosperity for the steel indus
try-i g., the steel magnates. What
is the attitude, however, of these men
at the top toward the workers?
The honorable president of the
United States, that "well-wisher' of
the working class, Mr.. Coolidge, de-
clares that they are to be given a
share in the prosperity of the coun-
try. The steel magnates formulate
this idea as meaning that the steel
workers shall become shareholders
in the steel concerns. Mr.. Wadleigh
a well-known engineer, declares that
this. will be means of making the
workers take an interest in the well
fare Of their concern. Very true, in
deed! But what does Mr.. Schwab
think of this schama9
Dawes Plan Brings Wage Cut.
In a recent interview in which he
sized up the situation, Mr.. Schwab
declared that the international situa-
ton and the return of Germany to the
world market mean an intensification
of competition This will necessitate
lowering of the cost of production
and consequently a reduction of
wages"
The steel barons are not waiting
for Germany to become a keen com
petitor. They know that England is
practically helpless at the present
time, Der steel industry for the most
part operating with machinery that in
the United States would be considered
obsolete. The industry of France has
made tremendous strides since France
incorporated Alsace-Lorraine. Never
theless the high technique OF Ger
! many the law wages and the ten to
twelve hours day under the com
pulsion of the Dawes plan are placing
Germany in "a position to present con
siderable competition
Mr.. Schwab does not really fear this
competition for American steel manu-
facturers, OF all manufacturers of the
world, are In position to scrap old
machinery and install theAvery latest
at no matter what cost. But Gary
and Schwab are not satisfied with
their profits-hence wages are goine
down. In the past four months wages
have been slashed to 10. Thus
in May-June, a 1890 gauge doubler re
ceived $.S77 per 1000 pounds; in
July-August he received only s.S4S
and in September-October his wages
were again reduced to $500 per thou
sand pounds. The same reduction
took place in every department of the
steel industry.
Living Costs Go Up.
In the past half year the cost OF
living has mounted; one has only tc
regard the price Of eggs and butter
to realize that they are no longer with
in reach of the workers. II. according
{ to Schwab, the steel mills are work
ing at almost full capacity, then wages
OF necessity should go up-but on the
contrary, they are going down. the
excuse being greater competition on
: the world market.
The purpose OF this is perfectly oh
( vious. Gary and Schwab know yer,
well that steel production cannot con
: tinue at the present rate of produc
ton. The building trades, the back
. bone Of the present prosperity" has
reached its peak. 1926 will witness q
! recession in the building trades. The
automobile industry, which this yeai
viii reach a figure of about 1000 ,OOC
cars, has overproduced and now Is
forcing tremendous export trade
Automobile production even this
, month is slackening and men are be
ing laid of.
They Ninsist" on II.
In this description Of the steel in
dustry, one cannot forget the promise
of Mr.. Gary toiabolish the 12-hour day
and his complaint thereafter that the
workers insist upon working NOR,
than eight hours. True, for the simple
reason that they cannot live on the
eight hours pay that they get.
100000 to 100000 steel workers ar,
exposed to the worst exploitation tina
, several billions OF capital can i'm
/, pose. and are practically without or
ganization. What has Mike Tighe t.
say about 1t? What are Mike Tigh,
and his machine doing to alter thi.
situation? What has the American
. Federation of Labor done and whar
= Il