The sun., 1919-10-23

Sncs without another word. Others
Followed, until only the railroad broth
erhood representatives remained in the
employees group. They were urged
from both sides OF the hail to help in
q constructive programme. l.. e.
Sheppard asked that they be not en-
trested nor given messages for their
group. He explained that they did not
belong to the American Federation Of
Labor, but that they stood with the
group. President Gompers's with
drawal Of the group. he said, bound
Them. but they had waited out of cour-
ltesy for an adjournment.
& Gompers Blames Employers.
In his final speech Mr.. Gompers said
fhat the conference had come to naught,
Chat the employers had refused TO meet
Tabor. that constructive action was
blocked. He indicated that In that sit
pation the other pending matters before
the conference could not be passed. as
xhe labor vote would block them as the
Employer vote had blocked labor.
h The issue was drawn on a collective
bargaining resolution which was not far
From all of those previously voted down
IN the conference. 1t was, however. 40
teepted as but an abstract statement Of
principle, with machinery and interpreta-
Hion to be worked out later. Labor
iplainly made It's passage a Qrtd pro quo
sbf continuance Of the labor group In the
conference. The group caucussed on the
icourse II was to pursue, and when II
came back offered the resolution. Tho
employers group promptly raised ob5ec-
aion to IL, but II was taken up for set
Itlement on a two-third vote suspending
dhe rules and the issue was again drawn,
& As presented the resolution read:
n ''The right OF wage earners to or
Eanize without discrimination, to bar
Sgain collectively, to be represented by
Representatives of their own choosing in
negotiation and adjustments with en-
Sployers in respect to wages. hours Of
aabor and relations and conditions Of en-
lployment, Is recognized"
Vote IL Demanded.
i When the employers objected the con-
ference fell into personalities. The
apectre of the walking delegate was
Iraised, and the employers said the reso-
pution contained an idea against which
dhey had consistently stbod The Ques-
ition was worked around by the public
tgroup to an understanding that an af-
Sirmative vote would mean merely an alb
fstract declaration of principle. There
Twas much talk OF the conference pro-
Sceeding backward and trying to erect a
3structure by sticking on the chimney
FIRST. but the issue held. and finally n
Svote was demanded.
The public group voted In the afiifma-
tive. The employers against and the
S1abor group In the affirmative.
K Tho rules of the conference wero
hv1gorously attacked by President Dmeri-
fus Eliot Of Harvard. who with many
oothers chided the employers group for
Sbfinging the break. He said that a
vast majority of the conferees were
clearly for the resolution. but that a
majority in one group opposed II, their
humber unknown: the break had come.
And the motion was lost
siWfth the announcement of the result
representatives OF the employees made
their predictions Of Industrial war In the
United States. President Gompers said
That the issue was drawn and labor was
prepared to fight Representatives OF
the brotherhoods said the railroad men.
who held the key to transportation. could
not stand by and see their fellows suffer.
Harry A Wheeler, chairman of the
ehaployerS group. In q last speech de-
elared that the employers stood on thei'
record and would not accept response
bility for breaking the conference. The
employers representatives. he said,
would stay to the bitter end to do what
they could toward framing a programme
pf labor relations, and he concluded.
I'VE have followed our conscience and
our judgment and leave the verdict to
the American people on the record OF
this conference"
Wilson Letter Read.
~
the conference this morning Chairman
Lane presented the letter from President
Wilson, which was designed and calcu-
lated to hold the conference together.
In presenting 1t Secretary Lane said :
"Gentlemen, I am going to read to you
letter from the President Of the United
States. What the President had In mind
IN calling this conference. what full pro-
eramme he had, no one knows save as
Indicated In THIS letter. We do know.
however. that II was his expectation that
be would call this conference to order
himself and outline personally his views
to you. I think I am safe In saying that
be regarded this conference as the most
Important extra-legal body that has met
IN this city curing his Administration
He does not in any way minimize the
responsibility that rests upon you or the
greatness OF your task, and It was be-
Gkuse ne feailZeQ tne larBeueSS OF inc
performance with which you had to deal
Glat ne expected personally to present
Mis- views to you and give you such as
astance and direction as might be possi-
ble from time to time. But he has not
heen able to be here. and when l wrote
to him as 20 the condition of this con
ference and told him the state OF mind
that existed doing it / hope without
cplor) he sent TO the conference this
letter. signed by him in his bed. lying
ON his back end addressed it to you:
The Presidents Letter.
The Presidents letter said:
ITO the Ladies and Gentlemen OF the
Industrial Conference:
Il am advised by your chairman that
you have come to a situation which ap-
pears to threaten the life OF your con-
ference, and because of that / am pre-
HYning to address a word of very solemn
appeal to you as Americans 1t Is moi
for me to assess the blame for the pres.
ent condition. do not speak in a spiri,
of criticism of any individual or of any
group. But having called this confer.
ence. feel that my temporary indispo-
sition should not bar the way to frani
expression OF the seriousness of the po-
sfton In which this country will bt
placed should you adjourn without hav
ing convinced the American people thai