Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-22
Labor Group in Secret
Session Decides Not
to Quit.
OTHER GROUPS
READY TO GO ON
Crisis Follows Defeat Of Col
lective Bargaining and
Steel Strike Resolutions.

President Wilson's industrial con-
ference today apparently has weatn-
cred the crisis brought to climax
by the defeat last evening of the COL
1ectiye bargaining resolutions and
the Compers resolution for interven-
ton in the steel strike.
Labor will not bolt. Some OF the
labor representatives may quit, out
the group as a whole will remain and
try to work out some constructive
program for the Cancellation ana ar
bitration of industrial controversies
If vacancies occur in the labor group
they probably will be filled by the ap-
pointment of substitutes.
Decision of labor to remain in the
conference was taken at secret
meeting of the group. following read
ing of the appeal dictated yesterday
by President Wilson and which had
been in the hands of Secretary Lane.
to be used as a last resort to avert
disruption.
Presidents Letter Read.
Before reading the Presidents let
ter, Secretary Lane told the confer
ence the President considered the
gathering the most important extra
legal body, that has met in this city
during his administration" The
chairman stated it was after he had
informed the President of the state
of mind" of the conference that the
executive had addressed to the dele
gates the letter. which he signed on
his bed. lying on his back.
All the groups in the 5conference-
capital. labor and fhs puhlic-were
present, but the labor delegates took
no part in the applause which marked
the conclusion of the reading. Upon
motion OF the chairman the confer
ence gave a rising vote OF thanks to
the President.
Immediately after the letter was
read, the conference recessed and the
labor group went into private session
to determine it's future course. The
members plainly were impatient and
gates seemed doubtful whether the
labor representatives would continue
in the conference.
Before the recess Samuel Gompers.
president of the American Federation
of Labor, declared that motion by
John Spargo of the public group that
the conference give the President "a
solemn pledge binding every group
and individual that nothing would be
left undone" to solve the problems
fortunate. The motion, which had
been seconded by Harry A. Wheeler.
chairman of the capital group, was
withdrawn.
Talk of Crucifxion.
AS they left the conference hall the
labor delegates expressed their in
disnation over Mr.. Spargo's motion.
DO You think We are going to stay
here to be crucified from day to day."
the American Federation of Labor.
Recess Until $50 Pm.
At 1880 o'clock, with the labor
group still in executive session. Chair
man Lane announced that the recess
would continue until 2:30 o'clock
The group meeting broke up shortly
after l O'Clock. and Frank Morrison,
secretary of the American Federation
of Labor. announced that all menu
hers of the labor group would return
to the conference at 2:30 o'clock
Other members said that the group
had decided as whole to remain in
the conference.
The labor delegates were said to
plan presentation of a new proposal
this afternoon and there were reports
that lit might embody the condition
under which they would remain in
the conference.
Secretary Lane this morning called
together Harry Wheeler, chairman OF
the employer group; BERNARD Baruch
chairman of the public group. and
Samuel GomperS, chairman of the Ia
Dor group, with the purpose OF hav-
ing them agree upon a program of
action hereafter in the conference He
suggested that the conference adjourn
for a week or two and work out a
plan covering all phases of industrial
relations.
Mr. Raruch and Mr. Wheeler readi-
~ agreed. Mr.. GomperS refused, how
ever, because he could not say wheth-
er or not his group would remain in
the conference This effort of Sec
rotary Lanes hinges entirely on the
decision labor delegates make about
boiling.
Ask for Presidents Letter.
Al a conference before the general
session this morning. the labor group