New-York tribune., 1919-10-16


vote on the steel resolution and op-
posed waiting for the report on col
lective bargaining, holding that il
could not be prepared by tomorrow
"Mr. Baruch can direct ali he pleases, y
said Mr.. Hutchinson, "but we cannot
be forced or hurried into arriving at
any decision in such an important mat
ter as collective bargaining"
Leonor Fresncl Loree. of New York
threw the politica. charge into the
ring.
1--WE have been mannuvcring here
Tor five or six days" he said, "on what
seems to be rather a political than an
economic situation, and time after time
when we were about to decide a ques-
ton and have it brought before us ad-
lournmcnts had been had in order that
pack door communications might be
had on the subject"
Chadbourne Answers Charge
Il can conceive of an honest differ
encc of opinion.' said Thomas l.. Chad
bourne IN reply, "and | credit the EN-
ployers group with an honest differ
ence OF opinion as to whether this con-
ference was or was not in position
TO take up present strikes. ! can con-
celve that some men may desire to
make firefghting apparatus while a
conkagration is raging, but | object
to beng told that when ] am trying
to put out the fire | am doing it for
political purposes. l conceive that it
is very legalistic attitude which con-
strues the Presidents letter into de-
Mai Of the right of this conference to
look into strike situations. | would not
dare take such an attitude. | am q
lawyer, but am not legalistic enough
for that"
Mr.. Chadbourne characterized the
conferrees as "engineers to repair a
rotten and tottering structure." He
said he believed it the business of the
conference, "if the elastic limit was
about to be passed, to bolster up the
structure before it broke"
Il object" he added, cas- one of the
public group. to any suggestion that
one single thing done here was done
for political profit
Conferences Occupy Morning
The conference did not convene until
ll:40 o'clock. From $3.50 until that
time group conferences had been in
progress over the steel resolution. The
conferrees were seeking some way in
which an agreement might be reached
Members OF the public group worked
no - W l.uu SOHlc way Uut OF lHc dead
lock. Finally the Baruch motion was
decided upon as means of gaining
time. Nothing was discussed in the
conference session beyond that motion
the illness of Mr.. Gompers and the
charge of politics.
Had the steel resolution been voted on
to-day IN response to the demand from
the employers group it would have
failed OF adoption, for the employers
group made it clear their vote would
have been against the proposition. La
Dor would have voted for the resolu-
ton. There was general belief that
the public delegation would have been
divided about evenly, but tonight it
was learned that a late poll indicated
the possibility Of majority in that
group for the measure.
Several resolutions were submitted
and referred to the general committee.
These Dr.. Charles Eliot. president
emeritus Of Harvard, later character
lied as ESSAYS"
Plumb Plan in Industries
A resolution offered by l.. f. Shep-
perd called for tripartite conduct Of
industry, much after the Plumb plan.
John Spargo introduced resolution
limiting the right to strike in govern
ment service and on railways and pro
viding for the arbitration Of such dis
putes. The right to strike after failure
OF such arbitration and after q stated
period has elapsed is granted.
Mr.. Brookings introduced a resolu-
tion approving bonus and profit shar-
ing plans.
The farmers group introduced a res
olution setting forth principles which
they believe should be established in
IN, ot{ic1 bo, 4
that consideration be given Of the rcla-
ton between farm wages and those in
other industries.
Mr.. Valentine introduced resolu-
tion for establishment of a public en-
ployment service.
The outlook for success was not Wis
IDLY improved by the meeting of the
general committee this afternoon, in
the opinion Of many delegates. Others.
however, contended that there was no
more reason than ever for apprchen-
sion.
There is no use trying to conceal
the fact that there are heavy difficult
ties in the way Of an agreement" said
Charles Edward Russell, to-day select
ed as spokesman for the committees
ut is my experience, however, that the
road to all things worth while is be-
set by difficulties. see none, how
ever, that l can conceive as insur-
mountable."
Differ on Phraseology
Mr.. Russell said the committee was
IN agreement concerning the fight to
organize, but that a phrascoogy suit
able to all had not been found. With
Mr.. Chadbournc Mr.. Russell worked
until late tonight in the effort to
prepare suitably Worded statement
for the committee
From other sources it was learned
tonight that the labor group insists
that there must be no evasion of the
issue on the question of collective
bargaining. 1t will insist upon a
clcar-cut statement, not only Of the
principle in the abstract, but Of the
practice. The position Of the three
groups Will be indicated, it is said, by
the time the conference is called to
order tomorrow afternoon, through the
discussion in the general committee.
The issue of collective bargaining is.
Of course, involved in the steel strike
issue, but the principle is not stated
in the resolution on that subject
1t is believed tonight that tho ac-
sion Of the labor delegation tomorrow
afternoon will be determined by the
sentiment of the employer group on the
combined issue Of tho steel strike and
collective bargaining. It is regarded az
unlikely that they will remain in the
conference if they are defeated on
these two related propositions.
BcjUIlD COmnrOvn;So W;ty,