The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-30
LABOR CHIEF AND
PRESIDENT CONFER
OVER THE PRESENT
. LABOR SITUATION

oy h11sStatcu ftots
Washington, August 20.
After two days of conferences
with other officials of the
American Federation of Labor,
President Samuel Gompers,
who returned from Europe this
week rather Unexpectedly, dis
cussed the disturbed labor situ-
alton in this country with
President Wilson today at the
White House.
No announcement was made on behalf
of the President and Mr. Gompers and
the union officials who accompanied him,
including representatives of the steel
workers, steadfastlN refused to discuss
what had transpired.
1t is known, however, that the Pres
ident was asked to intervene in the dis
pute between the steel workers and the
United States Steel corporation over
wages, hours, working conditions and the
right of collective bargaining.
Before going to the White House the
committee of steel workers made public
a telegram to the council at Gary, Ind,
in which they charged that the Steel cor
poration was discharging union men at
a number of it's plants in an effort to
force the strike issue before the Presi-
dent could act The men were urged not
10 strike until all efforts at peaceful
settlement had been made.
The telegram follows:
Your telegram received stating that
steel workers are being Disseminated
against and discharged wholesale for
purpose of forcing strike. The steel COM
panies are doing the same in many other
places. But in spite of this persecution by
the steel companies try to hold men at
work until all amicable means of settle
ment have been exhausted.
THE executive council of the American
Federation of Labor is negotiating for
a conference with President Wilson to-
day. The steel companies show by their
actions a determination to force the is
sue before the President has had a
chance to pass on merits of controversy
We are doing all possible to secure jus
tice for the man and to prevent the ma
tlOnal sQlSdStcF OIL d SchCiai StiihS IL titS
steel industry Do not strike nuder any
circumstances until the strike date has
been set by your committee
DISTURBANCE DISCUSSED
The federation executive committee
held two sessions during the day The
utmost secrecy was maintained, but Il
was understood, that d number of labor
disturbances over the country were dis
cussed with particular interest beins
given the situation as it affects railway
and steel workers.
Some officials saw in the messages sem
to the railroad shopmen yesterday anc
to the steel workers today disposition
on the part Of the labor leaders to fol-
low the suggestion Of President Wilson
that the matter of wages and working
conditions be held in abeyance until gov
eminent agencies had had time to carry
out their programme looking to reduc-
ton of living costs and general resto-
ration of conditions to something ap-
preaching normal.
While the federation chiefs were meet
ing with the President the labor sifua-
ton was discussed at the capitol. Sen
ator Poindexter. republican. Washington
urged speedy action on his resolution
asking the President to call a conferences
between representatives Of capital ant
Ia Dor. Chairman Yenyon Of the Senats
labor committee said the House and Sen
ate committees planned joint action.