Evening star., 1937-06-25
BY JOHN H. CLINE.

The Senate Post Office Committee
wound up a stormy investigation of
the steel strike yesterday with a heat
ed quarrel over the propriety of call
ing Postmaster General Farley to tes-
tifv concerning interference with mail
deliveries in the strike areas.
Other developments during the days
session included
/. Denunciation of the c. l. o. and
Its leadership by Tom Girdler, head
Of Republic Steel Corp, as an IRE
sponsible, racketeering, Communist
organization"
2. A denial by Chicago police Off
eials that they had acted recklessly
In dealing with the strikers at the
day riot. which resulted in 10 deaths
Philip Murray, chairman Of the Steel
Workers Organizing Committee tes-
titled several days ago that the police
were "murderers."
Charges c. I. o. Threats.
!. An assertion by Harry E. Grim
Republic Steel employe, that the c. I
o. did not represent majority of the
workers In his plant when the strike
was called. Grimm said the c. I. o.
secured many members by threatening
to break their heads" II they did not
sign up.
The dispute over calling Farley flared
up between Chairman McKellar and
Senator Bridges, Republican, of New
Hampshire after testimony had been
completed. When Bridges would not
state his reasons for wanting the Post
master Generals testimony McKellar
said he would not summon Farley I'M
less compelled to do so by majority
vote Of the committee.
1t finally was decided to put the mat
ter to vote of the committee Monday,
when the hearing will be resumed.
Girdler, spokesman for four inde-
pendent steel companies now fighting
q c. I. o. strike, was on the stand
most Of the day.
Denies Verbal Agreement.
He denied he had ever made a verbal
agreement with the c. I. O. and said
he would not sign a written contract
with the irresponsible" union until
compelled to do so by law. He called
Murray a 'liar" several times during
his testimony, and at another point
said Senator Guffey, Democrat, Of
Pennsylvania didn't know what he
was talking about" This remark was
made after Senator Bridges had told
him Murray and Guffey had said there
was verbal agreement with the
G. I. o.
At another point Girdler said cir
responsible officials" OF the United
States had suggested he should Save
John L. Lewis face" during strike
settlement discussions. He did not
name the officials.
Girdler emphatically denied the in
dependent steel operators had created
reign of terror" as charged by
Murray, and asserted the c. I. o. is
the most dangerous threat to the
preservation of democracy in the
United States"
Insists He Obeys Law.
The steel executive said he had
always bargained collectively with his
employees and remained willing to do
70 provided they were properly
represented. He insisted he had COM
piled strictly with the terms of the
Wagner act, despite his refusal to
make a contract with the c.. 10.
Capt. James L. Mooney, q veteran
OF 43 years on the Chicago Police force,
entered a dramatic denial Of charges
that Chicago Police were guilty of
murder in connection with the Me-
mortal day riot.
Capt. Mooney said the rioters, num-
oering about 1000, were opposed by
approximately $50 police.
Il saw these demonstrators start
across the field toward U.S." he told
the committee. They were singing
the Internationale, the Communist
song, and I saw about a dozen we'll
known Communists among them
When they reached the police. I |
ordered them to halt and pleaded
With the leaders to turn back. After
. minute or so they loosed barrage
OF bricks at the police line. Several
officers went down and I ordered tear
gas used. In moment the shooting
started and I believe the first shots
came from the ranks of the strikers,
Sorry. But Duty Is Duty.
Tn sorry any one was killed but we
had our duty to do and we did it,
They were threatening TO 90 into the
plant after the non-strikers, and at
least 200 men instead of 10 would
have been killed if they had gotten
past U.s."
Capt. Mooney said one Of the strik-
ers threatened to Grown" him with
. meat hook attached to club.
w. V. DAILY assistant corporation
counsel for Chicago, submitted sworn
af1davits from individual policemen
stating the first shots were fred by
the demonstrators.
Testimony concerning the @. I. O.
organizing methods was given by
Harry E. Grimm, who identified him.
self as head OF the Employees Cen
tral Committee Of Republic workers.
He said the committee was organized
By the workers and was entirely in
dependent Of the company. It's men,
bership, he added, comprised about
1000 Of 3,400 workers in his plant.
Grimm said he had been told by
many c. I. O. members that they
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