The sun., 1919-10-08
LABOR MEETING
VOTES FOR STAR
CHAMBER PLAN
Three Big Groups at Wash
ingtOn Conference to
Work Separately.
PUBLIC VIEWPOINT LOST
Free Exchange of Ideas and
Direct Action Impossible,
1t Is Declared.
PUBLIC VIEWPOINT LOST
Special Despatch to THE Sur.

Special Despdfch to THE Sun.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-Two signif1-
cant things were done by President
Wilson's Industrial Conference in two
long sessions to-day.
The first was the adoption OF a rule
under which the conference deter
mined not to do business as a common
council but to caucus and act on all
matters by factional groups.
The second was a determination
that the caucus actions, the meetings
Of the three big groups. representing
the employers, employees and the
public. were to be secret.
The rule with regard to group or
factional action upon all matters was
the subject OF bitter fight among
the representatives of the public. The
labor group and, 1t is understood. the
employers group were unitedly for
such a course. In some quarters the
rule Is regarded as destroying one of
the fundamental considerations in the
calling Of a conference. 1t means
that the representatives of employers,
employees and the public with not
meet at common council board for
free exchange Of ideas and direct ac-
tion.
Instead each group will act as has
always been the case with employers
and employees IN private council
Each will miss the point OF contact
and the thought and cons!dera tons
that lead to conclusion.
Common Viewpoint Lost.
There was strong support in the public
group for the common council idea, but
the opposite groups outweighed this sem
timent overwhelmingly. The arrange
ment for caucus action means that on
every resolution presented and on every
other matter the labor group will de-
termine its position In private session
and stand as a whole that the employ
ers group will do the same thing. and
that there will be no opportunity for
the human element and common under
standing or the bringing of common
viewpoint.
The threshing out Of all matters of
Importance to be dealt with Is TO be
done behind closed doors. and the public
will not get the benefit OF the exchanges
among the various elements composing
the groups. On the other hand actions
will be prepared In conciave. and the
public sessions of the conference seem
destined to be confined to series of
unit votes.
The procedure was typined when the
FIRST motion was put to the conference
to-day. Samuel Gompers, president OF
the American Federation of Labor, on a
call for the first vote. rose and said:
1T vote the delegation for the mo-
ton"
The other delegations, or groups as
they are to be officially termed under
the rules. voted likewise.
Protest Wins Concesston.
Protest against this procedure won one
conoe ssion. As originally framed by N-
Rules Committee. the rule Of procedure
provided that no subject could be con-
sdered by the conference that was not
unanimously approved by one of the
groups. John Spargo. Socialist and pub
lie delegate. who had led the fight for
open consideration of all subjects by the
conference. urged forcibly an amend
ment that minority report on any mat
Ter could be considered when ratified by
not less than a third OF any group.
This amendment carried. so that mi
norities are not entirely ruled out OF the
conference. The only show for indi-
vldual power. influence or logic, how
ever, will be in the star chamber ses-
sions OF the group caucuseA
There is only one bridge TO common
underata nding left. The organiZa ton
adopted provides for a general commit
tee OF fifteen, five representatives OF
each group, TO which all resolutions or
other matters must be referred. Mem
bers of this committee will rub elbows
and get the common viewpoint, and will
be In a position to report to their re-
spective groups the promptinss for the
actions proposed by the various groups
To Compromise Procedure.
As fixed the general procedure OF the
conference. which to many delegates
seemed at first confused. is simply this
Any delegate can present a resolution
or other matter. Upon Its presentation
1t must be referred by the chair TO the
general committee for action without de-
bate The committee Is to bring in it's
report, which is in turn to be given to
the three groups for action. before II
reaches the conference.
While this procedure Ia regarded as
not cumbersome. 1t left the conference
late in the afternoon without business
and an adjournment was necessary.
When the rules committee report was
finally adopted with amendments, Chair
man Lane asked II there was any
further business. There was nothing
before the body. For minutes there was
silence. II was then suggested that
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