The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-10-09
.JCCESS HINGES
ON LABOR GROUP
Employers, Looking for Con-
ci|iation, Cautiously 0utIin-
ing Plans to Offer.
PUBLIC ARBITRATIVE
(BY WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE.)

Nor WILLIAM ALLEN VIII E.)
Washington, Oct. 9.-(Copyrighted
Wheeler te)-During the all
day recess of the industrial council,
the greatest interest has centered
upon the decision of the labor group.
For somewhat upon it's temper will
depend the success of the conference.
1t was evident that the employers
were looking for conciliation, that the
group representing the public had de-
voted itself to considering a number
of possible compromises. but labor
sat all the afternoon and late in to
last night in the council chamber in
the temple Of labor, undecided. The
debate hinges on policy rather than
upon precepts. The question is
whether labor shall stand for it's
maximum demands, or shall entrench
itself irreconcilably behind its mini
mum demands and refuse to move or
surrender that minimum.
The minimum demands of labor
are: Recognition of the union; a
basis and an actual eight-hour day
In all industries; the principle of the
minimum wage established for all
classes of labor, and the abolition of
all labor for youths under 16, in
mines. Shop councils for duplex con-
troll of industry are urged by some
advocates of the minimum demands,
but they may be waived. Those who
believe in the maximum demands
feel that labor should state its full as
piration and take the best terms 1t
can, get. But 1t was evident that la
Dor would stop at its minimum dig
m' and wait for Developments. -
Reduce Livino Costs.
In the group representing the pub
lie there was discussions about such
compromises as would reduce living
costs. The public group will prob
ably ask industry to establish COM
petent engineers in every large plant
certainly in every trade, who shall
study conditions Of production look
ing to efficiency. That means speed
ing up, but chiefly because speeding
up meant profits for the boss. The
public group will ask that account
ings In industry be open to labor
and that all gains made by efficiency
under the recommendation of the en-
gineers be split three ways; between
the laborer, the public and the en-
ployer. with speeding up under open
accounting and genuine profit-shar-
ing with labor, might take a new
view of the word efficiency, which,
at the moment, is a red flag to labor.
AT least the public group is seriously
considering asking labor to revise its
opinions under new conditions.
In the meantime the capitalists or
employers are going at their work me-
medically. They have divided into sec
tlons ana are referring every measure
70 It's proper section for consideration.
NO hastily considered plan will come out
OF the employers group. Indeed, no
plan at all may emanate at once. The
employers feel that they have the grav-
est responsibilities and therefore must
move with greatest caution.
Every Man His Say,
In contrast with both capital and la
Dor in the matter of procedure is the
public group. Chairman Baruch, of that
group. is careful to give every man his
say. Amy reasonable proposition pre-
sented to the group representing the
public will have hearing and is fairly
sure to get the assent If not the ap-
proval. The group as unit may stand
Tor some plan or certain suggestions
which may be grated upon any plain,
and stand rather firmly and officially.
Still, any mans views in the group
may pe icSptCltu anu MS proposals pro-
sented to the committee of fifteen. In
the meantime, among all the groups
sentiment is growing for adjournment
at the end of the week until the COM
nittee of fifteen shall have time to d.
gest all the plans officially submitted
md to go over the unofficially presented
plans which are deluging the committee |
rom all sides, as every scrap of paper |
hat comes to the committee must re-
,eive official action and be presented to |
he conference with approval or without |
t is evident that this will take a loge |
ime. The groups will finish their work |
oday, but If the committee of fifteen |
lsks for time to report an adjournment |
s certain. A weekend adjournment |
# the conference at least may be looked |
or today or Friday, for until the COM
nittee of fifteen has finished its plan
# solution or proposals for industrial
,eace the conference can do nothing;
md to formulate even a rough draft of
proposal for industrial peace which
must revolutionize American industry
s an enormous task.
No Idea OF Wilson'S Plan.
1t is characteristic of the adminis-
ration that 1t has no plan. that 1t Of
ers no suggestion, that 1t has no data
nd no leader for the conference. Even
{ the president were able to come 1t is
ot presumed that he would have a
YELL considered plan. His plan at Paris
o meet the moments need with the
wisdom seems to be his plan
ere and none of his friends can even
hint what was in his mind
rhen he called the conference. TWO
from his cabinet have ad-
ressed the Conference.-The secretary
( the interior and the secretary OF
abor. Each is an officer of the con-
erence, but each was careful to ex-
lain that what he said was entirely
Without authorization from the presl-
emf and that neither speaker had been
onsuled by the president as TO the ad-
hopes or purposes in calling
he conference.