Evening star., 1937-07-09
y the Associated Press.

IE VcAI Ol LnS 4tAleIDC0t Dy VIII
liam Green. American Federation of
Labor president, on steel strikes fol-
lows:
1t now becomes certain that the
steel strikes at Chicago, Cleveland,
Johnstown. Youngstown, Canton and
other cities are lost. That means
that the Comm 'ttee for Industrial
Organization failed to meet its first
major test successfully. The strikes
exacted their toll In human life and
human suffering. No one can cor
rectly measure the extent OF the dis
tress which individuals and whole
communities have suffered and will
suffer.
The hosts OF labor are truly sorry
because Of the failure of the costly
experiment and its tragic outcome.
They regret that thousands Of work
ers were persuaded to sacrifice them
selves as victims OF ill-advised and
untlmely strikes. Resentment and
disappointment among these workers
u bound to follow.
Questions Miners Action.
The query now is, what steps will
now be taken by the one who formu-
lates the policies of the Committee
for Industrial Organization. He
ordered those employed in the mines
Of the independent steel companies
to strike in sympathy with the steel
workers. Those workers are idle now
for the alleged purpose OF preventing
the independent steel companies from
securing coal. Now that the steel
mills are in operation, will he call out
on strike those mine workers who
are employed At mines where the steel
companies will now buy their fuel
supply? He u now confronted with
the problem Of carrying out hh threat
to call miners on strike who are work
ing under contract in mines where
coal will be mined and shipped to in
dependent steel companies or directing
those employed At mines owned by
said independent steel COMPANIES
back to work, defeated and de-
moralised.
There are two outstanding reasons
why the strikes were lost.
First because only \ minority of
the steel workers employed At the
plants involved were organized when
the strikes were called. APPARENTLY,
the G. I. o. leaders are strong for
minority action and minority control.
Iney sought to win = major battle
with only = corporal's guard In action.
,Ine G. I. o. was not defeated because
the small number Of victims who par
t1cipated IN the strike lacked heroism
or courage. but simply because the
overwhelming majority of the steel
workers refused to join the c. I. o.
and participate In the strike. The es-
sential requirement OF . strong and
complete organization of workers,
preliminary to the calling Of q strike,
was completely ignored.
Sees Public Aroused.
Second, public opinion was aroused
because of the violent policies pursued
by the C. I. o. in automobile and
steel during the past year. It became
openly hostile. Here, again. the power
and force of public opinion Is en-
phasized. The leaders of the c. I. O..
may As well make up their minds that
they cannot win strikes against which
public opinion sets itself. The reac-
tion Of public opinion against the
c. !. o. and c. I. O. methods Is re-
hected In the creation of visilante
organizations In different cities, in the
enactment OF legislation such ~ the
new labor relations act in Michigan,
and the threat of repressive lesisla-
tion In other States, ~ well ~ in the
Congress Of the United States. As 4
result OF the creation of hostile public
opinion against the c. I. O., the Amer
ican Federation Of Labor must tnten-
sify its fight against the enactment
OF repressive legislation, such a. CON-
pulsory arbitration, the incorporation
Of trade unions and the restriction Of
the rights which organised labor may
exercise, both in carrying out con-
tracts and In the Inauguration and
prosecution Of justifiable strikes. We
cannot peEqntt al organised labor 70