STRIKERS' APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23224, 23 June 1937, Page 9

STRIKERS' APPEAL

PRESIDENT'S REQUEST AVOIDANCE OF VIOLENCE AND BLOODSHED ACUTE SITUATION THREATENED FACTORIES ASKED TO REMAIN CLOSED (United Press Association) (By "Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 21. (Received June 22, at 9.30 p.m.) • The Strike Committee at Youngstown telegraphed to President Roosevelt, asking him to prevent the reopening of the mill's " to avoid in time the most horrible thing that may be let loose within the next 24 hours. Any attempt to reopen the gates will automatically bring terrific violence and bloodshed." President Roosevelt, states a Washington message, telegraphed to the heads of the Republic Steel Company at Youngstown asking them not to open the Youngstown factory. „ „ t _ . The Mediation Board's first efforts are considered to have resulted in complete collapse. The situation has been further complicated by the issuance of an injunction by the State Court, limiting pickets to a dozen men at the two plants of the Republic Steel Company at Warren and Niles (Ohio), and forbidding arming and interference in any manner with the operation of the mills. A message from Columbus (Ohio) says that Governor Davey ordered troops into the Mahoning Valley, where they are to arrive at daybreak. He stipulated that the steel plants now operating must so continue and those closed must remain closed. RIGHT TO STRIKE Mr T. M. Girdler, a steel manufacturer, when interviewed at Montreal, said: "The Republic Steel Company cannot and will not enter into any contract, oral or written, with the Committee for Industrial Organisation. During the last few years a great deal has been said about the right of collective bargaining and the right to strike. Is there not an equal right in this country for free American citizens who want to work to do so unmolested? The right to strike is undeniable, but it is another thing to have plants and employees picketed by •nen armed with clubs and guns, who, by a show of force, keep the plants from operating." A message from Cleveland (Ohio) says that the Committee for Industrial Organisation matched Mr Girdler's' attitude by announcing that it would not accept any settlement less than a written agreement. In the meantime the first ruling by the Federal Court on a sit-down strike was issued by the Circuit Court at Philadelphia. The ruling declares such a strike illegal, and orders the strikers to vacate the hosiery mill, which. was seized on May.6'.,, /.:..... ,••..,,:; , • • ■ The seizure has now been declared criminal, and the union has been held to ba a violator of the Sherman Act. on the ground that it restrained interstate commerce. ORGANISATION OF WORKERS THE C.1.0.- EXTENDS ITS ACTIVITIES WASHINGTON, June 21. (Received June 22, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Lewis announced the plans of the C. 1.0. to organise 800,000 Federal Government employees into a single union, called the .United Federal Workers of America. The first recruits are 15 dissenting local members of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is affiliated with the American Federation of Labour. TOO LATE FOR CANCELLATION FACTORIES TO REOPEN NEW YORK. June 22. (Received June 23, at 0.10 a.m.) The reply given ,by company officials to Presiderft Roosevelt's appeal asserted that it was too late to cancel the reopening of the factories. The responsibility for the protection of the men reporting for work rested with Governor Davey