The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-05-21
UNION CHIEFS
ELATED, PLAN
NEW DRIVES
Warn Big Independ-
ents They Must Bow
to Labor Law
CONTINUED from Page u

lNOhkAAAuCu AEOh 81 ~
suit which guarantees them an
exclusive bargaining contract
under the settlement terms Of
the recent 36-hour strike at the
J. & L. mills here and in Ali
quippa.
Other Firms Warned
Presaging a still more militant
campaign against the other in.
dependent steel firms which have
refused to negotiate with the
S. w. o. c., Philip Murray, its
chairman, issued the following
statement as the results were
announced:
"The victory is . smashing one
and supports the prediction we
made before the election. It
should be a warning to other
independent steel producers that
the wave Of favorable sentiment
for the Committee for Industrial
Organization and organization
of workers cannot be thwarted
by opponents Of true collective
bargaining.
1.-THE victory speaks for itself
and undoubtedly spells universal
collective bargaining throughout
the entire steel industry"
COMPANY SATISFIED
H. E. Lewis, chairman Of the
board of j. g. L., issued this state
ment:
"The Jones and Laughlin
Steel Corporation is gratified
that such an important issue
has been so amicably settled by
peaceful and democratic meth
DDS under the provisions Of the
Wagner act.
"Now that the election Is over
and our employees have made
their decision, let US forget the
tension of the past few weeks
and cheerfully apply ourselves
to our duties, rs there is much
for all Of Us to do, with our
order books better filled than
for some time past"
A total of 24,412 ballots were
counted, Ernest c. Dunbar. re.
gional director Of the Labor Board
here, announced. OF these 81
were blank, Sc were void and so
were successfully challenged.
Some 1850 eligible employees
did not cast ballots in the election
but both sides appeared gratitied
by the turnout. ...-.....'-
Dunbar issued statement
thanking Jones and Laughlin for
its complete cooperation" and
the S. w. o. c. for its Splendid
spirit"
The Jones and Laughlin vote
strengthened the hand Of Lewis
and Murray in their campaign
against steel companies still out
side the S. w. o. G. fold. An
immediate stiffening of attitude
was expected against the other
major independents already
served with sign or strike" ulti'
matums by S. w. o. c.
This group is headed by Youngs'
town Sheet & Tube. with 10000
employees, and Republic Steel, with
$4,000. Negotiations are under
way with Crucible Steel, employ
ing $4,000, and Inland Steel, 10000,
s. w. o. c. also is grooming itself
for q campaign against Bethlehem
Steel, the largest independent, and
National Steel. headed by E. T.
Weir.
Contract in Force
Meanwhile. pending negotiations
for the exclusive bargaining con
tract promised by J. & l., the
terms of the contract signed be.
tween S. W. o. C. and Carnegie
Illinois Steel is in force at its mills.
Jones and Laughlin. a 5000 ,OO0,-
900 corporation, is the nations
fourth largest steel producer. The
36-hour strike which resulted In
the election was settled May IA.
The J. & L. payroll totals SITE, 900
daily or $64, 000, 900 annually.
Despite charges by Murray that
Republic Steel had sent q gas
pipe" gang into Ahquippa to In
terfere with the election, the ballot
ing went without so much as
minor disturbance. There was only
one arrest, that Of q harroom pro.
prietor who violated the mo drink
ban. State and local police main
tanned a close watch. but their
services were not otherwise needed.
Two Threaten Shutdown
Republic and youngstown have
fatty refused to sign q S. w. o. c.
contract and signified willingness
to shut down their plants and keep
them closed If a strike is called.
The j. and L. vote was con-
sidered another blow for William
Green. president Of the American
Federation of Labor and LewiS'S
opponent. A defeat at ]. and L,