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Hellraisers Journal – Monday September 22, 1919
Nationwide Steel Strike to Commence at Midnight
From The Washington Times of September 21, 1919:
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ONLY MIRACLE ABLE TO STOP WALKOUT,
SAY ALL OFFICIALS
—–BY FRED S. FERGUSON.
United Press Staff Correspondent.PITTSBURGH, Pa., Sept. 21–Plans are complete for what may prove the greatest industrial battle this country has ever known, according to officials of the twenty-four steel workers unions, which will strike at midnight.
They declared it would be a fight to the finish for the right of collective bargaining, an eight-hour day, and an increased in wages.
The reports from all steel centers indicated that nothing short of a miracle would stop the strike.
Leaders of both sides declared President Wilson had taken no steps thus far to persuade steel corporation officials to meet the strikers committee.
Posses Sworn In.
State and municipal officials have taken every precaution to guard against public disorders. Posses of deputy sheriffs [deputized company gunthugs] have been sworn in many towns and cities ready for instant action. The state constabulary [Pennsylvania Cossacks] in the Pittsburgh district has been mobilized and given explicit orders.
William B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor, who is vacation at Bloomsburg, Pa., declared he had received no communication from President Wilson regarding a settlement of the steel strike.
Leaders of the steel workers’ unions reiterated their statements that they will close up every mill owned by or subsidiary to the U. S. Steel Corporation. Officials of the steel company were equally confident the strike would be a failure and declared so small a number of workers were unionized that there will be little suspension of work. They said, however, that wherever any widespread disloyalty to the company was evident, plants would be closed.
Prepared to Hold Out.
Union leaders said the men were prepared for as long a strike as was necesary to win the demands. Finances, according to W. B. Rubin, general counsel for the workers, have been provided to take care of a long drawn out fight.
Hundreds of women have begun the work of stiffening the morale of the wives and children of the workers.
