Evening star., 1919-08-29
LABOR POLICY TOPIC
ala. F. |. COUNCIL
Conference With President
Wilson Sought by Execu-
tives of Organization.

The second days session of the ex-
ecutive council of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor opened this morning
nothing was given out for publication,
it is understood that today's session.
as was the case with yesterdays
meeting. was devoted to general
survey and consideration of the gen.
eral labor unrest all over the country.
1t was decided to take up the matter
of the general labor situation with Pres
arranged. So far, it Is said. the council
has not disposed of any business. de-
voting its time to hearing reports of
labor troubles alI-over the country
Chief among the matters under consid-
Grafton is the threatening strike of the
steel workers. a subject that will be
prominent in the conference with Presi-
dent Wilson if one is arranged It is
probable. according to Secretary
Frank Morrison, that a general state
ment will be issued by the council
late today.
No Such Order to Shopmen.
The report that the council had yes
terday ordered the railroad shopmen
to drop their differences for a period
OF ninety days until the President and
Congress can take action in reducing
the high cost of living, was character
attending the sessions of the execu-
tive council as without foundation. 1t
was pointed out that in the matter of
calling strikes the American Fedora
ton Of Labor officials have no say. that
power ebing only vested in the officials
Of the several internationals with which
the five unions of the shopmen are
connected.
Explaining why the committee Of
the steel workers was given an audi
ence yesterday by the executive coun-
Gil it was said that while a majority
of the locals of the steel workers
are affiliated with the international
organization there are some not con-
nected with that body and for that
reason it was necessary to put the
matter before the executive council
for advice. but not action. The steel
workers will determine themselves
whether they will strike or not and
will not be governed by the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor in that re-
spect.
A rumor that gained some currency
today was that the executive coun-
Gil had determined upon throwing
the entire power OF ORGANIZED labor
into a political party to fight all po-
litical and other interests that might
oppose the interests of the American
Federation of Labor. This rumor was
characterized as fiction by men close
to the members of the executive
council, with no possibility of any
such policy being adopted by the or
ganization.
Secretary Lanes Plan.
The suggestion of Secretary Lane
to President Wilson that he call a
conference between capital. labor. the
Industrial managers and representa-
tives from the people in an effort to
settle the industrial unrest does not
meet with hearty approval from lead
ers of the national labor movement.
Mr.. Gompers could not be seen this
| morning on this subject, but one of
| his closest friends said that organized
| labor stands ready and willing at all
! times to enter a conference for the
| settlement of any trouble or threat
| ening trouble. provided it is accorded
! the right to name the men who are
| to represent it on such a conference.
| 1t was pointed out in this connection
| that recently bills have been intro
ducedpfn the House and Senate carry
| ing just such ideas as that advanced
| by Secretary Lane. but they were OBJ
| jectionable to the American Fedora
tion of Labor.