Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-22
OUTLINE OF POLICY
CONFERENCE NEED
Stenographic Extract Used to
Point Out Labor-CapitaI
TangIe.
0PTIMISTS HOLD FAST
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Union labor wanted all-and got
nothing. Capital wouldn't yield an
inch its right to hire or fire. to deal or
not to deal with anybody it pleased
And the public group offered a fair
and basic proposal establishing the
broad principle that workmen have a
right to organize into associations OF
their own choosing. but both capital
and labor vetoed it, and the net result
Of more than two weeks of pickering
at the industrial peace conference is
simply determination to bicker
further.
The trouble is that any resolution
however carefully phrased, wouldn't
satisfy either the employers or en-
ployes' groups. because each has in
mind certain differences and interpre-
tationS based on past experience and
policy which would rise up to block
the passage of any principle however
perfectly phrased in itself.
The need for a complete program
of principles safeguarding rights
here. denouncing abuses there, de-
fining privileges and stating limits
is now recognized. Until compre-
hensive declaration of principles is
before the conference. SO that each
group can point to the exact defects
without taking refuge. as now, In
the fear of a misinterpretation of q
single resolution on collective bar
gaining, there can be no intelligent
lineup on any side.
Optimists Predominant.
Instead of a feeling of despair
hopefulness prevails Here and there
in the labor or the public or thu
capital groups are those who thlnH
the conference can accomplish moth
ing and that further meetings would
be futile, but the optimists predomi'
nate and the conference is to go on
Who is to blame for the procrastina-
ton and disagreement? No one group
but all of them combined. Union
labor, however, put itself in such ar
awkward and ambiguous position al
the Tuesday session that unques-
tionably many members in the public
group who are among the best of the
workingmen's friends have felt their
sympathies torn for the moment from
the uncompromising followers OF
Samuel Gompers. Here is the reason
lie troubles of the conference thai
an exact reproduction of the steno'
graphic record tells the story.
Stenographic Extract.
'Mr. Chadbourne-Mr chairman, tn,
public group desire me to present and
move the adoption of the following
substitute for the pending resolu
ton:
1.-The right Of wage earners to or
ganize in trade and labor unions ane
other organizations, to bargain col
lectively, to be represented by repre-
~ chn0EinR
negotiation and adjustments with EN-
ployers in respect to wages, hours o.
labor and relations and conditions o.
employment is recognized. This mus
not be understood as limiting thu
right Of any wage Garner to refrain
from joining any organization or te
deal directly with his employer IL ne
so chooses
Tho Chairman-The question is or
the substitute presented by Mr.. Chad
bourne.
"Mr. Wheeler (of the employers
group)-May I ask, Mr.. Chairman
since we have not a copy OF the orig
inal resolution. that you point out ex-
actly wherein the wording has beer
changed?
Mr.. Chadbourne-And other or
CARNATIONS is the only change.
THE Chairman-Is the public grouI
ready for a vote?
Mr. Baruch-Yes.
The Chairman-The public grouI
votes Aye?
MIR. Baruch-Yes.
1.-The Chairman The employers
group?
Mr.. Wheeler The employers
group votes No
The Chairman-The labor group.
Mr.. Gompers-Votes No.
The Chairman The motion 4:
lost
Further Explanation.
In order to understand the above II
is pertinent to recall that the labor
group and the public group had pre-
of the original resolution and that the
labor group voted mo" because of the
inclusion of the words and other or
CARNATIONS"
Inference as to Labor's Demands.
The inference left upon the majority
Of the members of the conference was
that the American Federation of La
Dor was seeking the absolute recogni-
ton of its trade unions and the ex-
clusion of any other kind of associa-
lions which the workmen themselves
might choose: Such an absolute rec
ognition or discrimination in favor of
one kind of organization was fatty
refused by the public group. The en-
blowers on their side didn't like either
resolution because neither defined
clearly enough that employees of pub
lie utilities, policemen and firemen
stood in a different relationship to
the public than workers in private
industries. and. moreover. they con-