New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Defence Council and Ad-
visory Committee Ask
Special Commission
To Deal With ]. w. w.
Plan Suggested by Gompersi
Unrest in Every State
Would Be Investigated

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2I.-Jnsatls-
factory conditions in the industrial
world have caused the Council OF Ma
tional Defence and the Advisory Com
mittee 10 unite in a request to the
President that ne appoint special
committee 70 deal with and adjust
social and industrial disturbances
throughout the country.
In statement announcing this
action the character of disturbances
referred to is declared TO be such as
are represented in the public mind by
the agitations Of the |. W. W. In deal
ing with al such agitations, il is sug-
gested that the proposed commission
shall have the authority Of the Presl-
dent behind II, and that it shall effect
in all possible instances cooperation
between Federal and state governments
in the suppression Of social disorder
and in striving TO lessen discomfort.
Following the creation of board TO
adjust differences between labor and
shipbuilding programme, the creation
of general committee TO deal with
disturbances in other branches OF in
dustry, ii is figured, should remove
some Of the obstacles which now i'm
pede the progress Of war preparations
Open Shop an Issue
Outside the shipbuilding plans, wage
disputes are not causing any serious
difficulty The demand for labor IS 50
great that wages have increased stead
lily since the war began and are still
going up. But the question OF the
closed or open shop is proving dis
turbing factor
The Council Of National Defence IS
confident that the prevention Of social
disturbances can be effected by direct
appeals to the patriotism of the men
on both sides of pending controversies,
and the proposed commission IS IN
tended TO make the appeals in behalf
Of the President. Where disturbances
assume. as in the case of the !. W. W.,
the form Of a defiance Of the law, and
where discomfort Is primarily due 10
agitation against the laws and the gov
eminent, drastic action. it is planned,
Will be taken against those responsible.
in all other cases, however, peaceful
adjustment. if only for the period Of
the war is expected 10 be made without
great difficulty.
There will be a conference Of manu-
facturers in New York, beginning on
Wednesday, to compare notes and as
certain just what conditions ere.
Government To BE Represented
While no definite plan Mas been de-
cided upon, il is expected that repre-
sentatives Of the government will con-
fer with those gathering upon the ne
ccssity Of greater unity Of spirit among
all classes Of producers. Many employ
ers. IL IS declared. are carrying their
opposition TO organized labor to an ex-
treme.
In return. employers charge that "
ganized labor is forcing its own rules
upon industry, regardless Of the effect
upon national welfare.
The Council of National Defence to-
day issued the following statement re-
garding the proposed commission:
ain accordance with the determination
of the government 10 omit nothing
which might aid in the adjustment Of
social disturbances o. every character
throughout the country, the Council Of
National Defence and the Advisory
Commission in joint session have
passed resolution asking the Presi-
dent TO designate a new commission. to
have as its special field the investiga-
ton Of the type Of disturbances best
represented in the public mind By he
]. W. ". agitations in the Western
states. The proposed commission would
have the authority and support Of the
President to investigate and report on
such agitations and labor disturbances
related thereto"
The resolution had the unanimous
support Of the members of the two
bodies. 1t was originally suggested by
Samuel Gompers, who was instrument
tai in framing the recent agreement for
settling shipyard strikes through an
adjustment committee, and who has
been active in working out a solution
of all labor problems. It is felt that
the suggested committee, going from
one state TO another, representing the
national government and meeting the
Governors OF the states, lending sym
pathetic counsel 10 the state govern
ments and dealing with employers and
employees in a con. .liatory spirit. would
% far toward discovering the causes OF
the social discomfort and assist in the
adjustment Of the whole Industrial
situation.