The Washington times., 1919-10-27
LABOR MAY SPLIT
ON GENERAL STRIKE

The question Of general strike"
The machinists working in the
rock on which the radical and con-
servative forces within the American
Federation of Labor will split.
Samuel Gompers and his associates
are absolutely opposed to the sugges-
tion of general strike in those in
dustries which are associated with
steel, and believes it would be disas-
trous to make this question part OF
labor issue at the present time.
In this stand he meets strong re.
sistance. The views recently ex-
pressed by William H. Johnston, pres
ident of the international Association
of Machinists. the second most power.
ful union in the country, are con.
CURED in by number of influential
labor leaders, although they are re-
luctant to participate any internal
conflict at the present time, when la
Dor solidarity is being urged upon the
central leadership from all sides.
The machinists working on the
railroad shops in the'stee district are
strongly in favor of sympathetic &C.
ton in co-opera tion with the strikers
In the steel plants, and talk of q
strik Is general, Mr.. Johnston ab-
preciates their point of view. His
warning that a general strike is pos
sible, as labor's last line of defense
was made with direct reference to the
situation in the steel districts.
Council Reconvenes November IL.
The executive council of the Ameri-
can. Federation of Labor reconyenes
here on November IL, and at this time
the question of general development
OF the policy of sympathetic strikes
as applied to- the present situation
will be discussed. Mr.. Gompers' in
fiuence with the executive council is
so strong that there is little doubt
that his policy will be upheld.
1t Is pointed out by federation
leaders that the Ill international
unions comprising the federation are
law unto themselves, 50 far as strike
policy Is concerned. The A. +. of L.
has only advisory control over their
policy. There can be no general
strike order sent out from washing
ton unless this power is expressly
delegated to the leaders either at the
meeting OF the executive council next
month, or the general conference to
be held in December.
Apprehension is felt by leaders on
account of the reports going out from
Washington that the employing in
terests plan to wage q war of exter-
mination against union labor. It is
feared that the rank and file will be
inhamed by these reports to such an
extent that 1t will be impossible to
control them.
Drift Ints Radical Attitude.
Already they have drifted into q
radical attitude, which makes every
conservative unionist hope above ali
things that the Government will take
some drastic steps to allay Industrial
unrest such as the reduction of the
cost of living. and the passage of leg
islation which will make profiteerins
q thing Of the past
Mr.. Gompers is In constant. touch
with Administration leaders, and does
not hesitate to tell them the real sit
uation- For that reason great inn
portance In placed upon the makeup
OF the new national industrial chm
ference, and IL is believed that labor
will have a good deal to say about its
personnel.
Among those whose names have
been suggested for appointment to
tho conference are Former President
Taft, Frank p. Walsh, H. L. CAN'T, w
Jett Lauck, Basil M. Manly, Harring-
ton Emerson and DR.. Charles w
Eliot