The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-29
LABOR HOLDS
STAGE CENTER
General Plan of action to
Meet Crisis Outlined by
Gompers.
TO BREAK PACIFIC STRIKE

| Washington, Aug. 29.-U. n. So
The labor situation held the center
OF the nations stage throughout to-
day.
Samuel Gompers, veteran head of
| the American Federation of Labor,
and his associates on the executive
! board of that organization worked
out in their carefully secluded Offices a
general plan of action designed to
meet the crisis developing in various
vocations. Railroad Director Hines
and his lieutenants calmly worked
out their scheme of breaking the Pa
cific coast railroad strike commence
ing tomorrow morning, unless the
strikers accept their ultimatum and
return to work. In his study in the
White House, the president went
over reports from the labor depart
ment dealing with strikes and threat
ened strikes in every section of the
country.
The president and the American
federation officials were 20 confer
Nul lliB NlC al lCI llOOil commencing dl
3 o'clock. Originally the president
planned to meet only Gompers, who
had hurried back from Europe be-
cause of the unrest prevailing in the
ranks of organized labor in the
United States. However, the veteran
leader asked the president to meet
the executive committee and talk
things over with them" and word
NJ h, II l..
come.
Officials and labor leaders refused to
discuss the conference prior to its as
sembling. 1t was made plain that the
labor leaders were anxious that no ac-
tion be taken which might embara IS
them when they met there and as it is
always, the president is to be his own
spokesman and had taken none of his
lieutenants into his confidence re-
garding plans of procedure.
The morning session OF the executive
board of the American Federation was
devoted to discussion of developments
in the steel and iron situation and the
railway strike outlook. So far as the
first was concerned there was an at
titude OF bitterness displayed on the
part OF the labor leaders because OF
the refusal of Judge Gary, of the United
States Steel corporation, to meet their
committee. The steel situation has been
a source of agitation among labor
leaders for many years and they have
been working hard endeavoring TO or
agnize all steel and iron workers
Today the leaders declared that IF
strike was necessary" to compel un-
ion recognition the number of men
that would be involved would aston
ish the nation" However, figures were
carefully avoided and the union chiefs
declined to discuss their plans in ad-
vance of action. They said they
hoped the whole situation would be
outlined to the president and that the
latter would try to influence Judge
Gary and the chiefs Of the various
steel corporate 20 take steps to meet
the union committee and prevent any
strike at this time.
SO far as the Pacific coast strike sit
uation was concerned. the attitude here
in Washington was one Of waiting.
Railway Director Hines emDhasi sized his
position. He said that if the men are
not back at work tomorrow as warned
and invited, their places will he filled.
we have our plans all perfected to
move all trains" was the only word
forthcoming at the department Sug-
gestions that there might be serious
rioting al many places next Monday.
Labor day. because of the strikes now
in progress were heard in many quar-
ters here in Washington today For
the most part these suggestions were
indefinite and were thrown down by
the best informed labor leaders. who
declared that. while Labor day very
likely will be observed in a more far
reaching manner than in recent years
the celebrations would be in every
way law abiding" ."