The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-10-22
INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE FAILS;
LAST RESORT MESSAGE BY WILSON
All Proposals Before the Con-
ferees Rejected--- Chairman
Lane Suggests Recess, With
Committee of Six Working
on Compromise Program

WASHINGTON. Oct. 2l.-Aftcr 4 day
NJ uncertainty. during which President
Wilson sent to Secretary Lane. chair
man. n message Of cnnciliation To be
used as last resort" the national in
duStrial conference tonight cleaned its
slate by rejecting all collective bar
gaining questions. as well rs the labor
proposal in the steel strike.
Tho public group aligned with capi-
tai on tho vote against both the orig
inal collective bargaining and stccl
strikers resolutions. although the
declaration on collective bargaining
was proposed by the public delegates
prior TO the vote on the original dccla-
ration. The employers substitute and
two more amendments by Thomas l..
Chadbourne. chairman OF the confer
ence's central committee, met defeat.
Only the employers favored the SUBJ
stitute. and labor and capital united in
their opposition to the amendments.
Means o New Start.
When the conference reconvencs to-
morrow morning II will be in practical
ly the same position as at the opening
on October s. In adjourning the scs-
sion tonight Secretary Lane declared
that the conference had produced
start by adtourning for several days
while co-ordinating committee OF not
more than six members frames u pro-
gram OF action
DcfRltcd on every point. and having
los the support Of the public group.
which heretofore has been on the side
Of the workers. the labor delegates left
the conference hall tonight disheartencd
and feeling. as some OF them said. that
little could be gained by further meet
ings. However. a meeting of the group
has been called for 9 o'clock tomorrow
morning, and individual members will
be bound by action taken at that time.
May Use wilson Letter.
Should labor show disposition to
bolt the conference, Chairman Lane Will
undoubtedly use the presidents letter
in an effort to avert the crisis. Read
ing Of the letter was SAID to b. entirely
discretionary with the chairman. who
declared that he would not produce 1t
unless the situation became acute. AL
though labor may force the dIsclUSur"
Of its contents, il was generally pre-
dIcted tonight that the WORKERS would
not withdraw The presidents mes
sage, it was understood, rc-statcs the
purposes for which the conference was
convened. emphasizes thu urgency Of
the need for allayins Industrial unrest
and makes a plea for further work on
the part of the ConfcrccS.
The morning session OF the confer
encc lasted only few minutes and the
afternoon meeting. during which quick
action was obtained. convened until, )
o'clock. The entire day WAS devoted TO
group meetings i'll an attempt TO devise
another declaration on collective bar
gaining satisfactory I" all elements.
After more than three days of almost
continuous sessions the employers were
unable 10 agree upon another state
mcnt. and fell back upon the Wheeler
substitute.
Tried Tor Compromise.
Members Of the public group attempt
cd to effect CUmpromiS" by tn" sub
stitutlou Of the words "aSsuCiatlunS Of
their own choosing" for the term labor
unions" in the clause of tho Eru.p's :
CONTINUED on Page Nine)