Evening star., 1919-10-17
DRAMATIC CLIMAX REAC CHED
IN INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE
Public and Labor Groups Appeal to Employer
Group to Accept "CollectiUe Bargaining"
Resolution of Committee of Fifteen.

The most dramatic period OF the
national industrial conference so far
was reached yesterday afternoon
when leaders Of the public and labor
groups appealed to the employer
group to accept the collective bar
gaining" resolution proposed by the
general committee of fifteen.
John D. Rockefeller. jr.. multi mil
lionaire. and John Spargo. socialist.
both OF the public group. stood
shoulder to shoulder with Frank
Of Labor fighting for the principle of
trade unionism which the capitalistic
delegation steadfastly refused to ac-
cept.
The struggle centered around in
dorsement Of measure assuring
collectively with employers and to be
represented by representatives Of
their own choosing"
This proposal was the compromise
effected between the labor and pub
lie groups as a substitute for labor's
strike 1t was worked out in two
long sessions of the general commit
tee held Wednesday night and yes
terday morning.
Defended Employer Group.
Frederick P. Fish. an eminent pat
ent attorney OF Boston, and Homer
L. Ferguson, president of the United
States Chamber of Commerce. de-
Tended the position Of the employer
American Society of Equity. a
farmer organization. speaking as an
Individual of the employer group,
favored the 1abor-public group pro-
posal.
Judge Ebert H. Gary. chairman
Of the United States Steel Corpora
tion. one of the public group. did
not attend the session. It was ru-
mored he had bolted the conference,
but this was not confirmed Judge
Gary went to New York last night
Tor conference today with his board
OF directors regarding. 1t is reported,
the steel strike and the. attitude Of
majority of the delegates at the
industrial conference to the strike
Mr.. Rockefeller was first to speak.
by all the delegates. but by the
largest audience that has attended
any of the sessions Mr., Morrison
Mr.: Sparso.. Mr.. Fish. Mr. Ferguson
and others followed in order. At the
close of the session Secretary Lane
NA ehS 1SPot tiuSuL Ol InS INFERIOR,
presiding of1cer, declared he had not
heard so many good. sound. inspiring
speeches all in one day before in his
life.
Industrial Problem Vital.
I'VE have been called together to
consider the industrial problem" said
Mr.. Rockefeller, and only as each
OF US discharges his duties as a men1-
Der or this conference in the Same
high spirit Of patriotism. of unseiash
to right and justice. of de-
votton to the principles Of democracy
and brotherhood with which we ap-
preached the problems Of the war,
can we hope for success in the soiu-
tion Of the industrial problem, which
Is no less vital to the life Of the
nation.
Almost countless are the suggest
ed solutions of the Industrial prob
lem which have been brought forth
since industry first began to be
problem. Most Of these are imprac.
ticable. None can be looked to as n
panacea. There are those who be-
lieve that legislation IL the cure-al.
But legislation will never solve the
industrial problem. It's solution can
be brought about only by the intro
duction Of new spirit into the re-
between the parties to In
dustry-a spirit OF justice and broth
erhood.
Representation 10 a principle which Ia
Just and vital to the sue