The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-11
ALUMINIUM co.
DEFIES UNION;
CRISIS NEARS
3-Year Supply on Hand, Is
Reply to Demand for
Recognition.
$500 JOIN WALK0UT
Four Plants of Giant Con-
Germ Tied Up: Strikers
Are Orderly.

~ = W A~f
~ United Prose
NEW KENSINGTON Pa, Aug
1.-THE Aluminium Company Of
America today deded its $500 strik-
ing employees. bringing a crisis near
in the nationwide strike which mas
strangled operations in four of the
companys largest plants.
The strike viii not change the
companv's attitude toward a closed
shop or other demands an official
statement said today. Our position
is the same.
Company officials significantly
declared that they have a three and
one-haIf year supply Of crude alum
mum piled high in our yards" and
added that the producers Of virgin
aluminium were the only men on
strike.
The company admitted that picket
lines were drawn tight about its
four largest plants. with a complete
shutdown at present at Alcoa,
Tenn. with 700 strikers; the new
Kensington district with 1900 men
on strike: East St. Louis, Ill, with
400. and MasSena, n. Y, with 1000
men on strike.
Finishing Plants Operating
Finishing plants where the en-
ployes are unorganized, however,
were running as usual About $500
of the Company's total $4,000 en-
pIoves stiu were at work IN these
plants. located largely IN the New
Jersey and Connecticut area around
New York City.
At the four plants affected, pick
cts stood at the entrances, but there
was almost no disorder. In the New
Kensington district a crowd of on
lockers hung about the gates Of the
plants. One man suffered a scalp
cut when he attempted to enter the
plants last night.
At NaSsena. where 1900 men were
on strike. police reported that the
strikers seem to be a very orderly
crowd"
AT East St Louis. the 1,400 en-
plOyes STAYED away from the plant
and officials announced that it was
CLOSED indefinitely" A similar sit
uation was reported at Alcoa.
Lack Of violence was attributed
largely to the strong union sympa-
thy among workers in the indus
try.
Union Strength Shown
The complete shutdown of the
company's four largest plants. &C
COmpliShed with only Slight
amount Of disorder. demonstrated
the obvious union strength. The
union demands recognition and
CLOSED shop.
TOday's company statement
pointed to the possibility Of a long
drawnOut fight between the cOun-
Gil of aluminium workers and the
huge aluminium trust. 81 per cent
owned by Andrew w. Mellon, sec
rotary OF the treasury under three
Republican administrations. The
strike. called at midnight. had the
full backing of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
The COmpany'S statement prom
ised to avoid violence that would
jeopardize life or property" The
statement. carried under the sig
nature Of Roy A. Hunt, president,
said in part.
ON Aug. 3 We gave union rep
reSentativeS a definite answer to
their request for a closed shop and
all the other standard union prac-
tees which go with it. Early this
week a representative of the ma
tional labor relations board visited
us IN Pittsburgh for a conference.
willing to Negotiate
We have no further word from
either the American Federation Of
Labor or the national labor rela-
lions board.
The strike will not change the
company'S attitude toward a closed
shop or other demands The
company VIII continue 10 meet at
any time with any Of its employees
or representatives Of its employees
for the purpose Of discussing wages.
hours and working conditions.
We shall use every effort to
avoid violence that would leopard
lie human life or property in con-
nection with this present action Of
the American Federation Of Labor" y
a strike in this district last spring.
lasting less than two weeks. gave
employees an II per cent wage in
crease. and greatly strengthened
the nnsifinn OF The nninn.