The sun., 1919-10-23
Employers Vote Against
Bargaining Resolution
Halts Meeting.
DISCUSSION is HEATED
Presidents Letter Fails to
Shake Opposing Groups
From Stand.
LANE TO MAKE REPORT
Attempt Will Be Made to
Patch Up Severed Relations
at Session To-day.
LANE TO MAKE REPORT
Special Dsspotoh to THE SuS.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-The labor
group withdrew from the National In
dustrial Conference to-day when last
resolution on collective bargaining was
voted down.
I Immediately after the withdrawal
members Of the group declared that
the issue was now drawn and that the
action to-day was the forerunner Of
industrial war in the United States.
President Gompers told the con-
ference the resolution had been re-
jected without right or reason
on grounds SO fiimsy that the men
sitting in the employers group will
have difficulty in explaining their ac-
ton to their fellows in the world"
You have defeated the labor group
in its declaration" declared the
veteran labor leader speaking to the
employers, but we will meet you
again in conference and when we do
meet you there you will be glad to
| talk collective bargaining.
"The die is cast We cannot re-
main longer"
To Back Steel Strike.
Mr.. Gompers tonight said that the
financial and moral support" of the
Federation had been pledged to the
striking steel workers. The decision
to aid the steel strikers. he said, was
reached by the Federaton's executive
council at last nights session OF its
quarterly meeting here.
Labor's withdrawal was dramatic
' President Gompers OF the American
Federation Of Labor sang the swan
song OF the employees group and in
/ a dramatic silence left the hall. Many
conferees tried to hold the meeting
| together and many offered explain
aions, but tho labor men followed the
! lead of Gompers. Earlier in the day
the group, sensing what was impend-
/ ing, asked that 1t be not urged at the
moment to subscribe to a pledge to tho
President to continue. The labor men
then caucussed and made its deter.
mination, which was carried out when
| President Gompers left the hall
Lane to Report to Wilson.
Chairman Lane, however, who Is in
sense the representative OF the Pres
ident, refused to admit that there was
no conference when the labor group
had withdrawn. He adjourned the
conference until 800 o'clock tomorrow
morning to continue its work Secre-
tary Lane did not expect a return o.
the labor group but. after adjourn
ment he declared that the conference
would go on with or without it and
would formulate a programme OF labor
relations.
The break in the conference will be
! put up to the President by the Secre-
tary tomorrow morning.
The effect OF the bolt of labor repre-
sentatives cannot be definitely fore
told Many strikes, including a threat
ened one by the railroad shopmen.
have been held UP pending the result
or the conference and the high cost Of
living campaign OF the Government.
The railroad brotherhoods held IN
their demands on account of the cost
or living campaign. 1t seems likely, in
view OF to-day's action, that labor
leaders will feel free to strike without
restraint.
Campaign So Far Futile.
The cost of living campaign has
been running for nearly three months
without practical results. II was the
common understanding at the time the
ship crafts and other labor interests
| agreed TO postponement that II would
| take three months to show whether
| the cost OF living could be brought
down.
Chairman Lane made Il very plain.
however, that the conference Is not al
an end.
The days sessions were marked by
much feeling and by several heated
personal interchanges. Immediately
upon the conclusion of President Com
pers's address. in which the labor heao
said that labor was undefeated and
would carry the fght into the work
shops Of the nation. Thomas L. Chad
bourne OF the public group declared
that group would continue in session
and prepared a report for the Presi-
/ dent and the people.
/ The labor representatives shifted and
! Logan to move. They heard Mr.. Chad
bourne, but when John Spargo, a pub
| lie representative, rose and offered
motion for reconsideration and a stay
OF action President Gompers gathered
up his papers and his hat. He moved
! slowly to the door and left the confer