The sun., 1919-10-22

Labor, standing alone by united group.
voted in the affirmative.
Before the vote on the steel strike
resolution n vote was had on a resolu-
t'on to adjourn. The ayes apparently
had II, but when a rising vote was asked
the conferees underwent n quick change
OF heart ana public confereeS and those
on the employers side voted with labor
for action. J.. Il. Sheppard of the rail-
road brotherhoods injected the observa-
ton. IF labor is to get the solar plexus
let US have 1t now"
The vote fell against labor,
The members of the labor group went
Into conference tonight to determine a
course of action. They have not as yet
shown any intention of leaving the con-
ference, but accepted events, though 1t
was many times limited that IL labor did
not get these two big things, or at least
one of them, there would no longer be
any reason for continuance of the labor
group at the conference.
Because of the intense situation and
the feeling that lack of decision would
break up the conference President Will
son had dictated from his sick bed 900
word message calculated to hold the con-
ference together IL either Of the groups
bolted or directly threatened to bolt, as
was regarded as likely.
Wilson Message Withheld.
There was no necessity for use of the
document, however. and Chairman Lane
still has 1t in his pocket, perhaps for
future use. When 1t did get down to
action the body moved fast and furious
Without exception the conferees on all
sides are in a fighting frame of mind
that is regarded as promising we'll for
results. Two whole weeks were given
to sparring and delay. 1t is possible
the nature OF the text of the Presidents
metsage will never be known. 1t is
known, however, that the message told
the conferees that 1t was their plain
duty to go on and that II they could not
go on they would be relieved that others
might take their places.
A sharp turn came in the affairs of
The conference when 1t became known
to-day that the public group at meet
ing last night had determined to vote
against the original Russell-Endcott
resolution on collectiye bargaining be .
cause of an interprettion by some mem
bers of the labor group that that group
considered the use of the words trade
and laborN unions as excluding other
Organizations from collective bargain
ing.
The employers group in an all day
, caucus had failed of resolution that
would be generally acceptable and went
back to it's original. or the Wheeler
resolution. The public group took up
many substitutes and the labor group
went into caucus early in the day to
determine Its course. in view OF the
changed front from the withdrawal of
public support.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson partici-
pated in the caucus and 1t was rumered
that he urged upon the labor group ac-
ceptance of other organizations and
stilled restlessness that threatened a
bolt. John Fitzpatrick, steel strike
leader was also at the caucus.
Talk of Deadlock Ceases.
The caucuses and conferences delayed
the meeting of the conference until late
in the afternoon. Though all action
taken by the conference has been mega
tive, the conference is regarded as more
advanced and welded together than at
any other time. Conferees on all sides
have ceased to talk of deadlock or fail
ure.
After the battle Chairman Lane urged
that the conference drop individual Is
sues and begin upon the framing Of q
programme by the committees that
could be laid before the conference as a
whole so that It might work more in
telligently and not have issues clouded
by possibilities, rather than a definite
relation to other matters The sugges-
ton will probably be acted on to-mor-
row and adjournment of the general
conference awaiting q programme is re-
garded as likely.
While all collective bargaining resolu-
tions offered the conference have been
voted down the subject is not neces
sarily disposed of. Others may be latei
brought in upon which there Is posi-
bility of agreement.
All three groups and nearly every in
dividual In the conference have beer
recorded as favoring the principle OF
collective bargaining. 1t is the mannei
of its application that caused the bittel
fight that wound up with a victory fol
the employers group to-day.
Even the steel strike resolution may
be revived at later day. possibly aftel
the conference is on record as to arbi
tration and has set up a method of arbi
tration that might be acceptable to al
three groups. There Is a growing feel
Ing in the conference that the resolu
lions voted down were premature anC
that another decision may be reached.
Labor Groups Attitude.
While the labor group did not explain
its tenacity and the insistence agains
trade and labor unions, it was general!
understood that it was fighting EN-
ployers orgG Eizations and meant to hav'
no construction that might include them
Employers were equally determined
against anything that might be con
strued as limiting organizations for col
1ective bargaining to trade and labo
unions. The employers put into tn
record an explanation of their vot
giving the reasons of ma jority of tn
employers group for opposing the reso
lutions presented, with the exception o
their own. Chairman Chadbourne TO
the public group also asked 10 plac
similar explanations in the record. Tn
labor group did not avail itself of tn
privilege taken by the other two groups
When the conference convened thi
morning two resolutions were presented
one from L. +. Loree and one from T. c
Atkeson, both of the employers group
1t was then that the labor group aske
a recess to caucus. 1t was during tn
recess that Secretary Tumulty came t
the conference with the letter from tn
President that 1t was then though
would be necessary to hold the confer
ence together The matter was place.
before the President following a confer
ence between Chairman Lane, Chairma
Baruch of the public group. Secretar
OF Labor Wilson and Chairman Chad
bourne of the general comittee, Afte
debating his message the Presiden
signed it across the sheet In a shak
hand.
EmplOyers' Resolution.
Iahor saoo.. rao