Evening star., 1936-07-07

can they make to them except the
appeal that they bring themselves
within the organized labor movement
for their own protection and for the
common good Of those who toll.
Interference and coercion Of employees
trying to organize come from the
economic advantages held by the en-
ployer. In the steel industry it is man
ifested in an elaborate system of spies
and in a studied discharge Of those
who advocate any form of organiza-
ton displeasing to the management.
Public to Be Informed.
II wish also solemnly to warn those
who represent the steel industry that
their unlawful, ruthless tactics of
former years will not be tolerated by
our committee. This organization
drive in the steel industry will be con-
Quoted in full. open gaze of the public;
or, in other words, through the radio
and the press the public will be con-
tinously informed.
"We have also taken measures to
protect our people. We shall also
bring to justice any one in the steel
industry who is guilty Of lawlessness.
This does not mean merely the sub
ordinate officials of the steel corpora
tions, their armed guards, or other
hirelings or mercenaries. It means
that we shall hold to accountability
those who are really responsible
bankers, directors and officials of the
steel corporations-those who really
formulate policies and methods-from
j. p. Morgan & Co., which controls
the United States Steel Corp, down
through other bankers, directors and
officials of less powerful. but impor-
tant steel corporations, to the lowest
member OF the hierarchy.
"The statement of the steel in
dustry calls attention to the fact
that under their company union plans
no dues are required from employees.
The company pays all of the expenses
Of these miserable subterfuges. They
pay these expenses to secure an ad-
vantage over their employees. The cost
OF maintaining company union Is
trifling, compared to the savings it
affords in pay rolls. These COM
panies assert a determination to see
that their employees belong to no labor
union which maintains itself by dues.
d" The stake involved Is not the
small contribution that may be made
by the employees to the union, but In
the pay rolls where, on any basis of
fair bargaining, millions would be
added to the wage envelopes Of the
workers.
"The industry has constantly
sought to give the impression that 1t
pays exceptionally high wages and 30
far reaching and efficient are its
means of publicity that this idea is
widely accepted.
Actually, there Is no basis for this
belief. When comparisons are made
between the earnings Of workers in
the steel industry and the earnings
OF workers In other industries Of q
comparable character the standing
OF the steel industry is ut best no
more than mediocre and at worst no
LESS than disgraceful.
Thus, In contrast with hourly
earnings Of 65.6 cents in the steel
industry in March, 1895, bituminous
coal mining, in the same month, was
paying 793 cents: anthracite mining,
S3.2 cents; petroleum producing, IT'S
cents, and building construction, 79.s
cents.
THE steel industry, with hourly
earnings Of 47.9 cents In March, 1885,
ranks no higher than fourteenth
and. in the matter Of weekly earn
ings, with $16.77, occupies twentieth
place out Of the possible list OF a
industries for which returns are