The sun., 1919-10-10
Employers Graup Not
Agreed and Its Programme
Is Still Unwritten.
ANGRY WORDS PASSED
DIR. Eliot Rebukes Workers
for Bringing Old Scores
Into Conference.
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED
Gompers's Proposal Is for Two
Each From Three Divisions
to Settle Steel Dispute.
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED
HnecinI Despatch 10 TIE suN.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-The National
Industrial Conference got into real
action to-day and made progress to-
ward solution of the country's eco
nomic problems. Though the fur was
made to fly in somewhat heated
sion, the day wound up with a closer
understanding and the delegates
nearer together personally than even
the most optimistic members hoped
There were many significant moves
made on several sides of the confer
ence chamber, but the. real sensation
Of the day was an unexpected propo-
sal from Samuel Gompers for the la
Dor group that the conference appoint
a committee of six, two from each
group, to settle the steel strike. He
proposed that pending settlement the
situation in the steel mills revert to
the status quo before the strike-that
is that all strikers be urged to return
to work and that all men who were,
out as a result of the strike receive
their jobs back.
In accordance with the conference
rule of procedure the resolution was
reft NJ d promptly to the General
Committee of Fifteen. Action upon
II must be delayed until the commit
tee reports.
Gary Avoids Comment.
Ebert II. Gary, when asked about the
resolution, declined to make any COM
nent whatsoever on the ground that to
do so would be a violation of the rule
and spirit of the conference.
The resolution as presented would
provide in effect for arbitration of the
strike by the conference. Various inter-
pretations were placed upon labor's
move. Mr.. Gompers explained that it
was made in absolute good faith as IN
dlcative of the willingness of labor to
put its faith in the gathering. Labor
leaders in charge of the strike asserted
when ii was called that the issue would
be settled In the mills and Mr.. Gary and
his advisers in the United States Steel
Corporation have taken the position con-
estently that matters in the strike
would be permitted to take their course.
OF course there was suggestion that
labor was weakening on the strike and
wanted 1t settled, but 1t was apparent
that the delegates generally accepted
Mr.. GOmperss explanation as sincere
one and the comment was offered that
labor had been willing at any time to
srbrate the strike.
John D.. Rockefeller, Jr., with the as
sent Of the public group, introduced a
resolution that while II did not mention
the steel strike, may have large signih-
cance in that connection The resolu-
ton proposed in effect that the confer
ence approve the principle of represen-
taiion OF labor in industry, under which
employees shall have an effective voice
in determining their terms of employ
ment and working and living conditions
but that the form Of such representation
shall be left to the parties concerned In
each individual plant or corporation.
Labor's "BiII OF Rights"
Abstractly the resolution would seem
To provide for the same form of shop
representation that Mr.. Gary advocated
before the Senate committee investigat-
Ing the strike. 1t also was referred 10
The general committee.
Lasor's hand was shown abruptly
and sharply this morning. when after
Introducing the steel strike resolution
Mr.. Gompers presented labors bill Of
rights" IN the form of a declaration
OF principles upon which labor stood In
solid phaanx at the conference. This
Dill Of rights" was conservative one,
calling for full recognition of the things
lot which labor has contended for years,
with provisions added for a permanent
Federal arbitration board, for extern
non Of the powers and functions OF the
department Of Labor, and for the pro-
motlon Of immigration for two years
ateT peace, and its regulation after that
10 an extent that would insure that the
NOuntry received no more aliens than II
could dssimilate and Amerlcanlze.
Resolutions poured into the confer
.nee To-day, but none OF them brought
,ne sensation OF the labor proposals
"hen Mr. Gompers had finished 1t was
oIhd that the employers group was not
.tp"Ted 10 present its resolutions or
roFramme. Mr.. Gompers thereupon
s1EEes'ed that the general committee for
u'e SlHe OF having all views on every
,GoJeci reserve consideration of the
,aoor resolution and declarations. This
Drought 4 sharp fight
Ut charles w. Eliot arraigned the
,'' group Tor opening old sores and
bringing up old disputes and old sub
"sS Tor the conference Some OF the
Continued on Tenth Page.