We report. You decide.
Back in 2003 I was preparing to perform my Dad's memoir of life at Bethlehem Steel here in Bethlehem PA. (see my previous diaries for some excerpts) I came in contact with some former steelworkers who had formed an organization to record and preserve the stories of the workers, called The Steelworkers Archives. They agreed to be the non-profit umbrella organziation for the project so I could get a lower rate to rent a local theatre. I paid all the production costs myself. I wanted to repay them for their support and I wanted to support what they were trying to do. They had a web site, which was pretty basic, so I volunteered to build them a new one. On the site was this list of the workers who had died at The Steel.
As I scrolled down it, slowly and not without some shock, I observed what appeared to be a very graphic story of the past century of the status and quality of life of the American Worker. Watch as in pre-union days the number of killed workers skyrockets during WWI. Watch it shrink dramatically when the Depression hits and after the Union was recognized. Watch it shrink to minimal levels during the boom years of the 50s and 60s. Watch it end when the Steel shuts down.
Keep in mind that the list only includes the men and women who died in the plant on the job. In one plant. In one town. For one company. It does not include the 1000s more who succumbed to disease and crippling accidents or other causes directly or indirectly related to employment at The Steel.
Back in the 1800’s Bethlehem Steel was started by the Germans and for the first twenty or thirty years they held all the jobs. Then they started to hire the Irish and gave them all the lousy jobs, like the coke works and shovelin’ scale, stuff like that. Another thirty years or so and the Irish move up and start hirin’ the Slovaks, Hungarians, and Polacks to do all the dirty work. Funny thing they called ’em all Hunkies, didn’t matter if they was Polacks, Slovaks, Ukrainians or whatever, they was still Hunkies, unless they was Italian—then they was Dagos or Wops.
Killed ’em off like flies, too. Didn’t give a damn, what’s another Hunkie? Then during the First World War they started hirin’ the Mexicans ’cause they thought they could stand the heat better. So they all got sent to the coke works. The Irish, they became the foremen. That’s why even today, no matter what shop you go into there’s some Irish foreman tellin’ everybody what to do.
When the Union come in they put a stop to all that. I mean they couldn’t keep you down just ’cause you was a Hunkie or a Dago. Lucky for me and you, Janos, we had the Union, I don’t think I could a stood it the way it was in the old days.
from The 28 Inch Mill by Robert D. Frantz (my father)
Over 650 people perished making steel in Bethlehem since 1905. The Steelworkers Archives exists so that they and their contribution to their families, their communities and their country will not be forgotten.
reprinted from http://www.steelworkersarchives.com
1905
Billiard George
Kosct John
Lawrence Samuel
Rezmer Matyas
Smith William
Trazaska John
1906
Ballrak Mike
Balshi John
Broschel Joseph
Donosecs Joseph
Eichelberger Alvin
Jones Charles
Kranesz Alex
Laderer Louis
Reese William
Repunyk Louis
Seifert William
Smith Greeley
Stern Frank
Strawn Elmer
Szebasi Joseph
Tar John
Traupman Imre
Waghl John
1907
Andrlyeck Yanos
Auer,Sr. Michael
Dorney William
Ellicott John
Eltringham John
Erdei Gabor
Fisher Frank
Gross Weston
Holoda Anton
Kalloman Farentz
Kanton Layos
Mandli Joseph
Marsh H.
Mikus Carl
Nagy Joseph
Novak Frank
Nuss Rudolph
Parol Martin
Parry John
Peffer Edgar
Ruth John
Traynor Thomas
Wachter William
Wolf,Jr Stephen
Yonmans M.
1908
Boehm George
Bolig William
Donsetz Charles
Evangelista Lewis
Fisher Anton
Heffelfinger Victor
Jones William
Krancyecs John
Perleburg Herman
Reger Charles
Simonka John
Smith Oliver
Sziveisal Mike
Wick Oliver
1909
Coster Peter
Cott Fred
Cser Joseph
Free Joseph
Freyling Elmer
Green William
Gross Henry
Huber Robert
Kellner Chespot
Knopf Eli
Kratzer Frank
Lynn Karl
Makos Frank
McHugh Patrick
Molnar Joseph
Namet Mike
Ressel Rudolph
Shiffert Elwood
Simon Joseph
Szalir Ivan
Vladmar Adian
1910
Bobics James
Gretza Samuel
Haczlewicz Ladeslain
Johnson James
Kail Christian
Keleman John
Krause John
Kruger Harvey
Lazar Stephen
Nagy Alex
Nolan William
Radvanska John
Stein Arthur
Szikwicz Stephen
Welsh William
1911
Acker William
Diehl John
Donyon Jacob
Dugan Michael
Geavino George
Heim Ambrose
Holitz Frank
Horwath Joe
Karandemis Manoly
Knadler Milton
Krengel Joseph
Linnert Andrew
Mesrierics Mike
Nyitray Mike
Schiell Adam
Simonchek John
1912
Bohar Steve
Chandler Lucivus
Christ Thomas
Dellet Louis
Filuta Michael
Hilflicker Milton
Horwath Steve
Kane Michael
Kasper Mackcsy
Korpics Joseph
Lebar Istavn
Lucas Edward
Markowski Alex
Namet Charles
Patrigon Ratz
Skarlock Steve
Stefanek Jacob
Thomas Martin
Unknown
Unknown
Wineburg Adolph
Yohe Alex
1913
Barney George
Bartholomew Pierce
Benewald Rudolph
Buryts John
Buss Oscar
Jacoby James
Kerner Lewis
Kish John
Luzu Sandor
Martin Jacob
McCarron John
Octavianna John
Polanecs Steve
Smith W.
Soader Frank
Sobosky John
Taunini Gregori
Walsh Phillip
Zamidics George
Zeigler Joseph
1914
Barbaric Frank
Bolchar Joseph
Kucera John
Mankos Michael
Muschlitz Harvey
Promok Harry
Saldana Manuel T.
Scullion William
Shenk Harry
Traylor Stephen
1915
Adams Philip
Amorsky Ignatz
Chirstine Sam
Csaszar Adam
Fillip Johan
Gonick Mike
Horwath John
Kallas Steve
Morgan Joseph
Nemecz Frank
Radosowitch Frank
Ragonisky George
Rishell Phillip
Seiner William
Shikora Andrew
Smith William
Spangler John
Stout Paul
Takas Frank
Toth Joseph
Vinsor Harry
Vosos Alex
Wean Joseph
Wright John
Yelles Steward
1916
Apostalidis Petrus
Cascar Frank
Christ Alexander
Collins James
Cyaigus Steve
Domball Jacob
Ecker Andrew
Eckert Leonard
Franko George
Galatoulas Nick
Gebhart Clarence
Georgine Michael
Johnson John
Kerschner John
McNite Michael
O'Donnell Joseph
Pavolik Charles
Pierce Byron
Protos Cost
Rohn William
Sarnisky Joseph
Screen John
Shelly Howard
Sliva Andy
Tarollie Joseph
Tokas Mike
Walput Jacob
Wassarhelyi John
1917
Ackerman Harry
Anderson Carl
Antralia Niklis
Bieber B.
Brazda Jacob
Burns Peter
Buss Roland
Cacagerinos Argorinos
Dozer Steve
Eckert Wilson
Ferencz Anderko
Ferriera Dominges
Fitzgibbons William
Fravitis George
Guntek Frank
Hillegas Robert
Hoffman Frank
Horwath Frank
Huff J.
Jacobson Theodore
Jelko Frank
Kayitch Thomas
Kostar George
Krentza Frank
Laux John
Levantis Dimitri
Lipich Joseph
Luzo Charles
Mandy Philip
Murray James
Nemeth Julian
Pappas Charles
Paules Clarence
Petikos Lambros
Petzhold Theodore
Pois Manuel
Polittie Achille
Radish Joe
Romig Oliver
Savich John
Shanick Frank
Skrigar Martin
Stovinitis Costas
Vargo Peter
VonStorch Fred
Walborn H.
Williams S.
Zamodice Mike
Zerebak George
Zizak Michael
1918
Bacak Steve
Bader Oliver
Baltaser Mena
Bonder Mike
Costa Louis
Csandle Joe
Demko Waskol/Wasil
Dilabo Anton
Eardley Thomas
Faber J.
Ferrina James
Ferrina James
Fulmer Edgar
Giles Jenkin
Gongarran Lancher
Howell Frank
Hudak Andrew
Issac M.
Keehler Frank
Keiper Irvin
Kissel Joseph
Korsimiv Eskra
Kuschner George
Laslo Peter
Marino Lugi
Miskovich Paul
Moyer Theodore
Muschlitz Steward
Orban John
Otto Wallace
Palinsky Frank
Palmer Henry
Papas John
Perez Vincent
Salz Sigmund
Sanchez Joseph
Sanez Benifice
Shapiro Nathan
Smulnok Alex
Taylor Daisy
Travis George
Varas John
Vegi John
Villar Eugar
Vrabel Mike
Weiss Edwin
Zuvik Max
1919
Correll John
Franseca Francis
Garstar Gus
Gazda Janos
Gilroy Hugh
Johnson Robert
Kelly William
Kindig Charles
Kovacs Adam
Kressler William
Newhart Howard
Nonnenmacher Charles
Novitsky Alex
Peffer Floyd
Roush Harry
Smith John
Smith John
Stegura John
Szaller Kalman
Takacs Mike
Verstaic Villk
Woodring George
1920
Collins William
Dominges Bispo
Edwards Hugh
Erdos John
Erios Steve
Horwath Frank
Jones Benjamin
Lopez Michael
Nagy Charles
Sandor Frank
Smith Charles
Zilco Joseph
1921
Dougherty Harry
Graner Michael
Huhn Joseph
Kila John
Moroske Andrew
Sopko Joesph
Steward Peter
1922
Garay Andrew
Groff George
Karba Garlo
Neese Peter
Pinter Charles
Shaffer Harry
Singley Anthony
Skerlak Stephen
Timko Mike
Vargo Joe
1923
Campbell Clark
Castillo Anastacio
Cope Clayton
Diacium Alex
Dobyan Steve
Farkas Stephen
Heygi Peter
Kaufman Frank
Modcick Andy
Molnar Layos
Seila Charles
Simon Paul
Warobec Peter
1924
Altemose Charles
Bauder Stanley
Berish Paul
Bossert Robert
Calaskis George
Gardner Walter
Gilmore John
Hascicz Steve
Herzeg George
Jacqua. Muskoritz
Krosec Charles
Moyer Warren
Rohrbach Erwin
Schlosser Joesph
Surovi John
Vollath Charles
Yanik George
1925
DelGrosso Daniel
Neuda Edmund
Petrocsics Ivan
Reisinger Edmund
Strahlo Merritt
Traupman John
Vargas Juan
1926
Ackerman Alex
Falich Martin
Gerstenberg Charles
Groscost Daniel
Kedulka Jan
Kozol Mike
Kratzer James
Medve Peter
Mlinko Daniel
Ponocs Michael
Preletz Otto
Rodgers William
Zatorski John
Zulli Valentino
1927
Dolan George
Fluck Jackson
Gerry Joseph
Gyemesak Paul
Kovacs Imre
Lambert, Jr. Frederick
Nagy Frank
Perleburg William
Ricler Edward
Simores Anthony
Stancich John
Svelte Mike
Toggart Anthony
1928
Angerman John
Apple Milton
Beltran Mateo
Contreraz Martin
Jacobs Ellwood
Rippert Louis
Smith George
Strausburg Labold
Yesick Basil
1929
Coral Cirilo
Kelly Michael
Knechel John
Koach John
Mills Harvey
Potok Joseph
Sheehan Michael
Yambor George
Yurich Frank
1930
Brader William
Kach Joseph
Lorince John
Macek Tom
Siegfried Forrest
Sinko Frank
Trimple Kalman
1931
Beres Steve
Gery Calvin
Schanta John
Zollo Guiseppe
1932
Weninger Anton
1933
Wambold John
1934
Cassano Charles
Dech Warren
Hafner Joe
Kincade Sylvester
Palinkas Louis
Perkins Harry
Rohal Michael
Trauger Harry
1935
Laky Ignatz
Mazur Frank
Miller Frank
Miller John
Mocidlowski Alex
Rush William
Stahler Robert
1936
Beahm William
Cvammen Otto
DeLong Samuel
DiCarlo Carlo
Hudak George
Hudock Andrew
Tully Robert
1937
Alli Sifat
Bankowski Frank
Dieter Albert
Miller Charles
Paulauskas Joseph
Spirk Frank
Stein Floyd
Turloscy John
Viczena Paul
Warnke Gordon
1938
Juhasz Mike
Julio Manuel
Sweeney Gilbert
1939
Ambrus Alex
Gubich Joseph
Houck William
Koder Preston
Lopez Richard
Schrantz Albert
Schwartz John
1940
Beckage Peter
Becker John
Fistner Frank
1941
Bove James
Callahan John
Farkas Stephen
Graser Arthur
Jacob Edwin
Kardos Joseph
Kovjanovic Joseph
Mayer Andrew
Ramer David
1942
DeBernardo Michael
Handelong Phillip
Hess Harry
Keene, Jr. Charles
Kropf Edwin
Kundrick Paul
Lichtenwalner Arnold
Mertz Harold
Petrallo Frank
Rex Clayton
Smith Elmer
Soos Joseph
Stapinski Anthony
Werkheiser Charles
Zonce George
1943
Bolecz Joseph
Gariti Giacoma
Halleman Joseph
Hrichak John
Reinhard John
Schwab Joseph
1944
Barics Anton
Buskirk Norman
Carrer Fred
DiMonte Frank
Heckman Robert
Holvey David
McCarty Joseph
Meixell Howard
Pavrlchak Harry
Pierson Robert
Snyder Harry
Trinkle Ludwig
1945
Beitel Thomas
Conka Charles
Green Edward
Gribben William
Horwath Joseph
Kleckner Paul
Knappenberger Arthur
Kunkle Clarence
McGoldrich Joseph
Rasely Edward
Ryan William
Schweder George
Snyder Harold
Straka Michael
Szuter John
Wolf Donald
1946
Aranyos John
Bedics Louis
Erdell Francis
Palencar Victor
Smith Milton
1947
Schwartz Valentine
Swyrlyrcus Max
1948
Gilbert Martin
Illes Stephen
Kistulentz John
Knecht Argustus
Lukasevich Veloda
Pletchan Walter
Schlegel Frank
Schultz Fred
Vince Frank
1949
Ackerman Archibald
Schlier Clayton
Zamiskie Michael
1951
Heckman John
Rayda Stephen
Strawn Arthur
1952
Skolinsky Frank
1953
Madl Joseph
Nester Norman
1954
Clewell John
1955
Johnson Harry
Swirsky Simon
1956
Bartholomew James
Heintzelman Harold
1957
Dancho Joseph
1958
Nykas David
Valent Joseph
1959
Yaich Oliver
1960
Smith Russell
Tutolo Michael
1962
Lewis Adrian
1963
Rominski Alexander
1964
Koch Robert
1965
Frable Kenneth
Hrenda Steven
Kuhns Kenneth
Mushlitz Forrest
Potteiger, Sr. Theodore
Ripkey Russell
1966
Petko John
Stout Walter
1967
Davis Thomas
Usiak John
1968
Wilhelm William
1969
Hontz Robert
Neiberger Joseph
1970
Demjan Nicholas
Shane William
1972
Clay, Jr. Willard
1973
Kimak Robert
Millheim Richard
Seifert Donald
1974
Householder Warren
1975
Sajt Joseph
1979
Frisch, Jr. Joseph
Snyder Walter
1980
Duffield Harry
Ferretti Joseph
1981
Baatz Richard
Fronheiser Robert
Pearl Michael
Preisler Herbert
Schleifer Robert
1982
Howard, Sr. Edward
Parham Lee
Seyfried Raymond
1984
Ardelean Joseph
Atherholt Larry
Radeline Barry
1985
Stocker, Jr. George
1987
Vogel Earl
1988
DeLuise David
1991
Hahn, Jr. Floyd
1992
Rogaski Thomas
1994
Kwasnoski Daniel
Miller Raynor
1995
Ryan Michael
1996
Kilyk Joseph
Rest In Peace