The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-23
Letter Read to Con-
ference Deplores Disagree
ments and Warns of Serious
State of Affairs.
WITHDRAWAL ANNOUNCED
last NIGHT BY GOMPERS
Secretary Morrison Declares
Union Have Been Crucified
Since Conference Opened and
They Will Not Continue.

Washington, Oct. 22.-Organized
kbor, through its leader. Samuel
Gompers. tonight announced it's with
travail from the national industrial
sonference which had been in session
here since October to establish new
relationship between capital, labor and
the public.
Labor's withdrawal came after la
boris collective bargaining resolution
was defeated by a majority of the
capital group.
You have defeated the labor group
In its declaration" Gompers told the
Iapital group, but we will meet you
again in conference and when we do
Ineet YOU there, you will be glad to
IaIk collective bargaining"
Although representatives of both
the public and capital groups an
bounced their intention of remaining
II conference the next move to re-
store industrial peace evidently rested
With President Wilson to whom Secre-
nry Lane will make a personal re-
port. In mean time the conference
vill be called TO meet again.
Neither the leaders of the conference
nor officials generally would venture
prediction what action the. Presi-
tent will take.
The withdrawal OF labor was an
,ounced only a few hours after Secre-
zry Lane, in an effort to prevent what
rany from the first regarded as in
Ritable. read the letter from the
President dictated on the sick bed ap-
pealing for harmony in conference and
Tor final working out of program of
ndustrial peace.
Representatives of labor did not join
the applause which greeted the
eiter. And Gompers characterized as
Most unfortunate" the motion by
John Spargo OF the public group that
ZACH group pledge the president it
sould make every effort to accom-
ish work for which they had been
aied. The motion was withdrawn.
| Harry A. Wheeler. chairman of the
Employers group. announcing the in
|sntion that that group would remain
conference. said capital represen-
ktives would not accept responsible
Y for breaking up the conference
ad declared they worked sincerely for
Rhat they considered just principles.
L. E. Sheppard of Railway Con-
tactors'' Brotherhood. calling atten-
pan to the presidential election which
ls snly a year off. charged the men
sio defeated the collective bargain
ag resolution Want to achieve their
solitical ends and do not care what
hey do"
Organized labor's representatives In
the national industrial conference to-
H.. IA - he 1ntr rnv
the conference which President
wilson dictated from his sick bed.
The Presidents message follows:
To the Ladies and Gentlemen OF the
Industrial Conference:
Il am advised by your chairman that
ou have come to a situation which
ppears TO threaten the life of your
Inference, and because of that / am
sesuming to address a word of sol
mr. appeal to you as Americans. 1t
not for me to assess the blame for
present condition. L do not speak
spirit of criticism of any in
yidual or of any group. But having
Aled this conference, / feel that my
nporary indisposition should not
4 the way to a frank expression of
r. seriousness of the position in
'aich this country will be placed
houd you adjourn without having
avinced the American people that
~ have exhausted your resourceful-
ss and your patience in an effort
come TO some common agreement.
AT a time when the nations of the
eFId are endeavoring to find a way
avoiding International war, are we
confess that there is no method to
1ound for carrying on industry ex-
~ n the spirit and with the very
hod Of war? Must suspicion and
Eeo and force rule us in civil life?
our Industrial leaders and our in
SRA workers to live together with
'aIth in each other. constantly
-ssling for advantage over each
ksed?
Ny friends, this would be an in
-O,e outlook. a prospect unworthy
Aarge things done by this people
~ mastering of this continent-in-
would be an invitation to ma
u4saster. From such a possibiI-
~ mind turns away, for my con-
- abiding that in this land we
h'inued on Page Three)