The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-06-09

was taken under wing in an out
and-out fight against the company
union. The fight eventually landed
in federal court, where it still is.
The strike gave impetus to Anal
gamated organizers and prominence
to William j. Long, Mel Moore and
few others, as local union leaders.
New Leaders in Control
At the Duquesne, Pa, works of
Carnegie Steel, William j. Spang
assumed similar leadership; at
McKeesport, Pa, Earl j. Forbeck;
at Gary, Ind, Al Armour; at
Youngstown, Clarence Irwin.
These men comprise the leaders
of the younger group which pre-
cipitated the present strike action.
The average steel worker was not
familiar with union procedure.
Many began to fret at union mac
tivity through the winter Lodge
presidents held them together by
telling them to wait until the next
convention"
That convention opened here
April II with youth pitting itself
against age. The strike threat had
been made two weeks before at a
district meeting. Ten days grace
would be given the industry and
working agreement was to be
made with railroads, coal and
autos.
A concerted action" committee
was formed with Forbeck a promi-
nent member. This minority worked
quietly but effectively. On the last
day of the convention the sign or
strike" edict was passed.
Many Urge Delay
Efforts lHd been made even by
some of the younger element to de-
lay action until the fall of next year.
The answer was final:
1--WE can't hold the lodges if we
wait any longer
By that was meant a laSSitude was
creeping in by reason of mills BOOM
ing, and the Communist outfit max
ing promises of quicker and more
decisive results.
On May 81, according to schedule,
their bosses for recognition. Re-
plies were to be in by June 10, and
the replies had to be universally
favorable because no lodge was al
lowed to sign an agreement unless
all other lodges were assured of
similar treatment.
Steel replied quickly if not for
mally. At the American Iron and
Steel Institute meeting in New York,
the new president, Eugene G. Grace,
of Bethlehem Steel, announced the
industry would remain open shop"
T. M. Girdler of Reptile Steel, said
he would go back to his apple farm
sooner than deal with the Amalga-
mated.
BraSh Statements Irritating
Such brash statements only have
irritated the situation. The younger
union leaders likewise have been
guilty of brash mouthings. Mr.
Tighe has tried to tone them down
by condemning them as unauthor-
lied. But the rebel spirit has taken
hold.
Savage talk on both sides has
contributed to unrest and mis-
understanding and is giving impe-
tuS to a movement which clearly
started out as a mere minority
effort.
Even if the Amalgamated does
not have the numerical strength
some of its leaders declare, its
members are scattered from coast
to coast; and it doesn't take many
men to strike mill. Many plants
have only one entrance gate; few
more than three. A few hundred
pickets can do effective persuasion,
vocally and otherwise.
Steel operators know this and are
preparing, not to break the strike
as in 1919 by importing workmen,
but by shutting down their plants,
Many are advocating a policy of
making this the final iSsue-the
final blow to crush organized labor
in the steel industry.
Gary Is Storm Center
If and when trouble does come,
the storm centers are expected to
be Gary, Ind, where Al Armour
says the Amalgamated is strong
enough to pull the entire Calumet
area; Youngstown, O.; Birmingham.
Ala; McKeesport and Duquesne, IN