Evening star., 1934-06-14
STEEL DELEGATES
VOTING ON STRIKE
DUE ON SATURDAY
Strong Sentiment Is Ex.
pressed Favoring Action
by 100000 Workers.
THREAT OF GENERAL
WALKOUT IS VOICED
81 Crafts Are Claimed to Have
Given Pledges They Will
Act in Sympathy.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PITTSBURGH, June 14.-Behind
closed doors, 200 delegates of the Steel
Workers Union met today to take
a vote on a proposal for a Nation
wide steel strike-threatened within
48 hours. unless the Government in
tervenes with a satisfactory" peace
plan.
Strong sentiment in favor of walk
out Of the 100000 workers claimed by
the Amalgamated was expressed by
several delegates before the conven-
ton opened.
Earl J. Forbeck, one of the So
called rank and file" leaders, said
the Nation faces a possible general
strike of the American Federation of
Labors 100000 workers unless for
NAL recognition" of the Steel Work
ers' Union is forthcoming from the
operators.
I'VE have received pledges from 81
crafts, including some outside of the
A. F. of L.. that they are ready TO
start sympathy strike, said the
outspoken young leader Of the NC
Keesport, Pa, Local.
The delegates meeting today are
representatives of lodges" scattered
over the country of the AmalgamaIed
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers. At a convention in April
the Amalgamated set "the middle
of June" for a walkout unless the
steel industry extended recognition to
the union as a collective bargaining
agent.
The convention opened at II am,
Eastern daylight time. with Michael
F. Tighe. president of the Amalga-
mated, presiding.
There has been no substantiation Of
reports the younger element of the
party. headed by Forbeck, William j.
Spang, William j. Long. and others,
might attempt to oust him.
Tighe, 72-year-old head Of the
union and leader of the "conserva-
tive" faction of convention officials,
was smiling at he left the meeting
room at the noon recess.
He said the young, aggressive wing,
which laid down a mandate for a
strike in q convention last April, was
composed of delegates who carry no
more power than any other indi-
vidual delegates.
As the delegates were assembling
in a small Elks' auditorium, James F.
Dewey, conciliator of the United
States Department Of Labor, bent his
efforts to find a solution of the dis
putes in the industry.
MAY Offer Roosevelt Plan.
Reports were that Dewey was pre-
pared to go before the delegates and
offer them President Roosevelt's plan
for Government-supervis elections
in the steel mills, but Tighe said
Dewey probably would not be heard
by the convention.
Miss Charlotte E. Carr, State secre-
tary of labor. also was in the city
trying to get an understanding Of
the situation"
AS the doors closed behind the del
egates, Forbeck said:
There was no question but that
the convention will vote for a strike
unless the Institute bends and recog-
niZes the Amalgamated.
He said the formal proceedings
might delay vote on the strike order
until tomorrow.
Forbeck asserted he believed Presi-
dent Roosevelt might favor a three
day strike so that he might be bet
ter enabled to push through the la
Dor control legislation he seeks from
Congress.
The President is back Of the
masses" he said.
Another delegate, Ted Koelner, Of
the Canton, Ohio, lodge, said:
I'VE must have union recognition.
I don't see anything else that would
avert strike
Referring to elections supervised by
company-unions in the steel centers.
Koellner said:
Sure, the company elections
showed all the men voting because
they shut down the plant and strong
armed the men into voting. If a man
showed any inclination not to vote,
(Coy1fi,ouad ~ Donn q Col,,ro,, AZ