have admitted many thousands of the employees of the United
States Steel Corporation into their organization; these
members are asking that they be given consideration by the
Corporation you are the Honorable Chairman of, in their
respective crafts and callings, and also that as law-abiding
citizens who desire the privilege of having their
representatives meet with the chosen representatives of the
Corporation you represent, to jointly confer on questions
that mutually concern both.
Sincerely believing that the granting of their request on
your part will not only be the means of allaying that
unrest, but will also promote and insure that harmony and
co-operation that should at all times exist between employer
and employee to the end that all will share in the glorious
triumphs so lately achieved in the war and thereby add still
more to the lustre and glory of our common country.
Trusting that you will give this request on the part of the
aforesaid employees of your Corporation your most earnest
consideration, I await your pleasure.
M. F. TIGHE, International President
Hotel Tyler, Louisville, Ky.
To this letter Mr. Gary replied as follows:
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
Chairman's Office,
New York, May 20th, 1919
Mr. M. F. Tighe,
International President,
Amalgamated Association of
Iron, Steel and Tin Workers,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
_Dear Sir_:
I have read with interest your letter of May 15th inst. I
agree that it is the patriotic duty of all good citizens to
use their efforts in stemming the tide of unrest in the
industrial world whenever and wherever it exists.
As you know, we do not confer, negotiate with, or combat
labor unions as such. We stand for the open shop, which
permits a man to engage in the different lines of
employment, whether he belongs to a labor union or not. We
think this attitude secures the best results to the
employees generally and to the employers.
In our own way, and in accordance with our best judgment,
we are rendering efficient patriotic service in the
direction indicated by you.
With kind regards, I am,
Yours respectfully,
E. H. GARY, Chairman
The Amalgamated Association's action threatened the existence of the
general movement, but Mr. Gary's refusal to deal with its officials kept
them in the fold. Where the principle of solidarity was lacking outside
pressure served the same end. It would be interesting to hear the
Amalgamated Association officials explain this attempt at desertion.
At the conference of May 25 there assembled 583 delegates, representing
twenty-eight international unions in eighty steel centers, the largest
gathering of steel worker delegates in the history of the industry. The
reports of the men present made it clearly evident that action had to be
taken to defend the interests of their constituents. Consequently,
disregarding the rebuff given the Amalgamated Association by Mr. Gary,
the conference, which was only advisory in character, adopted the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, We have now arrived at a point in our
nation-wide campaign where our organizations control great
numbers of the workers in many of the most important steel
plants in America, and
WHEREAS, Various officials of the iron and steel
industry, including Judge Gary, Charles Schwab, and other
heads of these gigantic corporations have expressed their
solicitude for the welfare of the workers in this industry,
and
WHEREAS, They have been continuously quoted as
defenders of the rights of the workers in industry, and
WHEREAS, The corporations, to block our progress,
are organizing company unions, discharging union men
wholesale and otherwise trying to break up our organization,
thus compelling us to take action to escape destruction,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That it be the will of this conference
that a joint effort be made by all unions affiliated with
the National Committee for Organizing Iron and Steel Workers
to enter into negotiations with the various steel companies
to the end that better wages, shorter hours, improved
working conditions and the trade-union system of collective
bargaining be established in the steel industry; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That this resolution be submitted for
action to the National Committee for Organizing Iron and
Steel Workers at its next meeting in Washington, D. C., May
27.
Two days later the National Committee met in Washington and adopted this
resolution. The following were appointed as a conference committee to
have charge of the preliminary negotiations with the steel companies:
Samuel Gompers, Chairman of the National Committee; John Fitzpatrick,
Acting Chairman; D. J. Davis, Amalgamated Association; Edw. J. Evans,
Electrical Workers; Wm. Hannon, Machinists; Wm. Z. Foster, Railway
Carmen. As the first approach, Mr. Gompers addressed the following
letter to Mr. Gary, requesting a conference:
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
The Alamac Hotel,
Atlantic City, N. J., June 20, 1919
Mr. Elbert H. Gary, Chairman,
Board of Directors, U. S. Steel Corporation,
New York, N. Y.
_Dear Sir_:
Of course you are aware that upon the request of a number of
men in the employ of the United States Steel Corporation,
and realizing the need of it, the convention of the American
Federation of Labor decided to respond and give such
assistance as is possible in order to bring about more
thorough organization of the workers in the iron and steel
industry, particularly those employed by your Corporation.
A campaign of organization was begun in June, 1918, and
within that period we have secured the organization of more
than 100,000 of the employees in the iron and steel
industry. The prospects for the complete organization are, I
am informed, exceedingly bright.
Of course, knowing the policy of the Organized Labor
movement I have the honor in part to represent, we aim to
accomplish the purposes of our labor movement; that is,
better conditions for the toilers, by American methods, and
American understandings, not by revolutionary methods or the
inauguration of a cataclysm.
We believe in the effort of employer and employees to sit
down around a table and, meeting thus, face to face, and
having a better understanding of each other's position in
regard to conditions of labor, to hours, standards, etc.,
and after reaching an amicable understanding to enter into
an agreement for collective bargaining that is to cover
wages, hours of labor, conditions of employment, etc.
At the Atlantic City convention of the American Federation
of Labor just closed, the committee reported upon the
progress made, and I am instructed and authorized to suggest
to you whether you will consent to hold a conference with a
committee representing not only the iron and steel workers
who are organized, but representing the best interests of
the unorganized men in the employ of your Corporation. The
names of the committee I am asking you to meet are:
Assistant President Davis, Amalgamated Iron and Steel and
Tin Workers.
William Hannon, member executive board, International
Association of Machinists.
Edward Evans, representing International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers.
Wm. Z. Foster, secretary of the National Committee for
Organizing Iron and Steel Workers and representing the
Brotherhood of Carmen of America.
John Fitzpatrick, president Chicago Federation of Labor.
If you can advise me at your early convenience that the
request contained in this letter meets with your approval
and that a conference can be held, I am sure I shall be
additionally appreciative.
Kindly address your reply, which I trust may be favorable,
to the American Federation of Labor Building, Washington, D.
C.
Respectfully yours,
SAMUEL GOMPERS,
President American Federation of Labor
This letter was sent during the A. F. of L. convention at Atlantic City.
About the same time Mr. Gompers resigned the chairmanship of the
National Committee and appointed in his stead John Fitzpatrick, hitherto
Acting Chairman. Mr. Fitzpatrick has been President of the Chicago
Federation of Labor for many years. He is a horseshoer by trade and one
of America's sterling union men. Possessed of a broad idealism,
unquestioned integrity, a magnetic personality and a wide knowledge of
trade-union practice, his services were beyond value as Chairman of the
committees that carried on the organization work in the steel and
packing industries. He is now taking an active part in the launching of
the new Labor party.
To Mr. Gompers' courteous letter Czar Gary did not deign to reply. This
was bad. It looked like war. But the unions had no alternative; they had
to go ahead. Conditions in the steel industry were so unbearable that
they had to exert their utmost power to right them, come what might.
Therefore, after waiting several weeks for word from Mr. Gary, the
National Committee met, gave the situation profound consideration, and
adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Working conditions in the steel industry
are so intolerable and the unrest arising therefrom so
intense that they can only be remedied by the application of
the principles of collective bargaining; and,
WHEREAS, All efforts have failed to bring about a
conference between the heads of the great steel corporations
and the trade unions, representing many thousands of
organized steel workers, for the purpose of establishing
trade union conditions in the steel industry; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the National Committee for
Organizing Iron and Steel Workers recommends to its 24
affiliated unions that they take a strike vote of their
local unions throughout the steel industry; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a special meeting be held in the
Pittsburgh Labor Temple, July 20th, at 10 A. M., of
representatives of all the co-operating international unions
for the purpose of taking action on this matter.
The National Committee meeting of July 20th, called in accordance with
the above resolution, approached the situation from every possible angle
and with the keenest sense of responsibility. But it had to recognize
that the matter was wholly in the hands of Mr. Gary and his associates.
The resolution to take a strike vote of the men was re-adopted. Also the
following general demands, based on accurate surveys of the situation,
and subject to revision over the conference table, were formulated:
1. Right of collective bargaining
2. Reinstatement of all men discharged for union activities
with pay for time lost
3. Eight hour day
4. One day's rest in seven
5. Abolition of 24-hour shift
6. Increases in wages sufficient to guarantee American
standard of living
7. Standard scales of wages in all trades and
classifications of workers
8. Double rates of pay for all overtime after 8 hours,
holiday and Sunday work
9. Check-off system of collecting union dues and assessments
10. Principles of seniority to apply in the maintenance,
reduction and increase of working forces
11. Abolition of company unions
12. Abolition of physical examination of applicants for
employment
So plain, fair and equitable are these demands that to reasonable
people they require no defence. The only explanation they might need
relates to #9 and #12. The check-off was to apply only to the mining end
of the steel industry, and the abolition of the physical examination was
to put a stop to the rank discrimination practiced by the companies
through their medical departments.
A month was allowed in which to take the vote. Each trade looked after
its own members, with the National Committee voting those men who were
enrolled but not yet turned over to their respective unions, and in some
cases the unorganized also. Enthusiasm was intense. The steel workers
saw a glimmer of hope and welcomed with open arms the opportunity to
right their crying wrongs. When the vote was tabulated in Youngstown,
Ohio, on August 20, it was found that every trade had voted
overwhelmingly for a strike in case no settlement could be reached.
Whole districts voted to a man in the affirmative. Of all the thousands
of ballots cast in Homestead, Braddock, Rankin, McKeesport, Vandergrift,
Pittsburgh and Monessen not one was in the negative. Donora produced one
"no" vote, with the great Youngstown, Chicago and Cleveland districts
about the same. Everywhere the sentiment was practically unanimous to
make a stand. The vote was calculated conservatively at 98 per cent. for
a strike. The Conference Committee was accordingly instructed to request
a conference with the heads of the United States Steel Corporation and
the big independent companies, and if at the end of ten days no such
meeting had been arranged, to set the strike date. [Illustration:
STRIKE BALLOT]
Taking no further chances on unanswered letters, the Committee bearded
Mr. Gary in his lair at 71 Broadway. He was in but refused to meet the
Committee, requesting that its proposition be submitted in writing. The
Committee thereupon sent him the following request for a conference:
New York, August 26, 1919
Hon. Elbert H. Gary, Chairman Finance Committee,
United States Steel Corporation,
71 Broadway, New York City
_Dear Sir:_
During a general campaign of organization and education
conducted under the auspices of the American Federation of
Labor, many thousands of men employed in the iron and steel
industry made application and were enrolled as members of
the various organizations to which they were assigned.
This work has been carried on to a point where we feel
justified in stating to you that we represent the sentiment
of the vast majority of the employees in this industry, and,
acting in behalf of them, we solicit of you that a hearing
be given to the undersigned Committee, who have been
selected by the duly accredited representatives of the
employees, to place before you matters that are of vital
concern to them, and concerning hours of labor, wages,
working conditions and the right of collective bargaining.
The committee called at your office at 3 P. M., Tuesday,
August 26, and requested a conference. We were advised by
your messenger that you wished to be excused from a personal
interview at this time and requested us to have our business
in writing and whatever matters we wished to submit would
be taken up by yourself and your colleagues and given
consideration.
Therefore we are submitting in brief the principal subjects
that we desired to have a conference on. The committee has
an important meeting in another city on Thursday next and
will leave New York at 5 o'clock on August 27, 1919. May we
respectfully request that your answer be sent before that
time to Mr. John Fitzpatrick, Continental Hotel, Broadway
and Forty-first Street, New York City.
Very truly yours,
John Fitzpatrick
D. J. Davis
Wm. Hannon
Edw. J. Evans
Wm. Z. Foster
Committee
To this letter Mr. Gary replied as follows:
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
Office of the Chairman,
New York, August 27, 1919
Messrs. John Fitzpatrick, David J. Davis, William
Hannon, Wm. Z. Foster, Edw. J. Evans, Committee
_Gentlemen_:
Receipt of your communication of August 26 instant is
acknowledged.
We do not think you are authorized to represent the
sentiment of a majority of the employees of the United
States Steel Corporation and its subsidiaries. We express no
opinion concerning any other members of the iron and steel
industry.
As heretofore publicly stated and repeated, our Corporation
and subsidiaries, although they do not combat labor unions
as such, decline to discuss business with them. The
Corporation and subsidiaries are opposed to the "closed
shop." They stand for the "open shop," which permits one to
engage in any line of employment whether one does or does
not belong to a labor union. This best promotes the welfare
of both employees and employers. In view of the well-known
attitude as above expressed, the officers of the Corporation
respectfully decline to discuss with you, as representatives
of a labor union, any matter relating to employees. In doing
so no personal discourtesy is intended.
In all decisions and acts of the Corporation and
subsidiaries pertaining to employees and employment their
interests are of highest importance. In wage rates, living
and working conditions, conservation of life and health,
care and comfort in times of sickness or old age, and
providing facilities for the general welfare and happiness
of employees and their families, the Corporation and
subsidiaries have endeavored to occupy a leading and
advanced position among employers.
It will be the object of the Corporation and subsidiaries to
give such consideration to employees as to show them their
loyal and efficient service in the past is appreciated, and
that they may expect in the future fair treatment.
Respectfully yours,
E. H. GARY, Chairman
In a last effort to prevail upon Mr. Gary to yield his tyrannical
position, the committee addressed him this further communication:
New York City, Aug. 27, 1919.
Hon. Elbert H. Gary, Chairman
Finance Committee, United States Steel Corporation,
71 Broadway, New York, N. Y.
_Dear Sir_:
We have received your answer to our request for a conference
on behalf of the employees of your Corporation, and we
understand the first paragraph of your answer to be an
absolute refusal on the part of your corporation to concede
to your employees the right of collective bargaining.
You question the authority of our committee to represent the
majority of your employees. The only way by which we can
prove our authority is to put the strike vote into effect
and we sincerely hope that you will not force a strike to
prove this point.
We asked for a conference for the purpose of arranging a
meeting where the questions of wages, hours, conditions of
employment, and collective bargaining might be discussed.
Your answer is a flat refusal for such conference, which
raises the question, if the accredited representatives of
your employees and the international unions affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor and the Federation itself
are denied a conference, what chance have the employees as
such to secure any consideration of the views they entertain
or the complaints they are justified in making.
We noted particularly your definition of the attitude of
your Corporation on the question of the open and closed
shop, and the positive declaration in refusing to meet
representatives of union labor. These subjects are matters
that might well be discussed in conference. There has not
anything arisen between your Corporation and the employees
whom we represent in which the question of "the closed shop"
has been even mooted.
We read with great care your statement as to the interest
the Corporation takes in the lives and welfare of the
employees and their families, and if that were true even in
a minor degree, we would not be pressing consideration,
through a conference, of the terrible conditions that exist.
The conditions of employment, the home life, the misery in
the hovels of the steel workers is beyond description. You
may not be aware that the standard of life of the average
steel worker is below the pauper line, which means that
charitable institutions furnish to the pauper a better
home, more food, clothing, light and heat than many steel
workers can bring into their lives upon the compensation
received for putting forth their very best efforts in the
steel industry. Surely this is a matter which might well be
discussed in conference.
You also made reference to the attitude of your Corporation
in not opposing or preventing your employees from joining
labor organizations. It is a matter of common knowledge that
the tactics employed by your Corporation and subsidiaries
have for years most effectively prevented any attempt at
organization by your employees. We feel that a conference
would be valuable to your Corporation for the purpose of
getting facts of which, judging from your letter, you seem
to be misinformed.
Some few days are still at the disposal of our committee
before the time limit will have expired when there will be
no discretion left to the committee but to enforce the
decree of your employees whom we have the honor to
represent.
We submit that reason and fairness should obtain rather than
that the alternative shall be compulsory upon us.
Surely reasonable men can find a common ground upon which we
can all stand and prosper.
If you will communicate with us further upon this entire
matter, please address your communication to the National
Hotel, Washington, D. C. where we will be Thursday and
Friday, August 28 and 29.
Very truly yours,
JOHN FITZPATRICK
D. J. DAVIS
WM. HANNON
EDW. J. EVANS
WM. Z. FOSTER
Committee
No reply came to the last letter. Mr. Gary, behind the smoke screen of
his hypocrisies about the "open shop," was determined to have the strike
go on. But the committee, fully conscious of the tremendous
responsibility resting upon it, was equally decided to exhaust every
possible means of adjustment before things came to a rupture. The
committeemen went to Washington, appeared before the Executive Council
of the A. F. of L., and received its endorsement and praise for the
manner in which the campaign had been conducted.
Mr. Gompers was delegated by the Council to go with the committee to
present the matter to President Wilson, and to request him to arrange a
conference with the steel people.
When President Wilson was informed of the true situation in the steel
industry, that all the men were asking for was a conference at which to
present their grievances--absolutely no other demand having been made
upon Mr. Gary--he immediately admitted the justice of the committee's
position. He stated frankly that he was entirely out of sympathy with
employers who refused to meet with representatives of their workers for
the purpose of bargaining collectively on labor conditions, and he
definitely agreed to use all his influence privately to have Mr. Gary
alter his decision and to arrange the conference. In order to give him a
chance to work the unions withheld the setting of the strike date.
A week passed, with no word from the President. Conditions in the steel
industry were frightful. The companies, realizing the importance of
striking the first blow, were discharging men by the thousands. The
unions could wait no longer. They had to move or be annihilated. On
September 4, the National Committee met and sent to President Wilson,
who was on his ill-starred trip through the West advocating the League
of Nations, the following telegram, in the meantime calling a meeting of
the Presidents of all the international unions co-operating in the steel
campaign to consider the critical situation:
Washington, September 4, 1919
Honorable Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States,
Indianapolis, Ind., _en route_