The sun., 1919-10-22

the right OF the employer 70 deal or not
to deal with men or groups of men who
are not his employees and chosen by
and from among them is recognized;
and no denial Is intended of the right of
an employer and his workers 'volun-
tarily to agree upon the form OF their
respective relations"
Mr.. Gompers then asked for the
other resolution before the body, the
original resolution of Mr.. Chadbourne.
which Mr.. VOL moved should be adopt
cd. 1t was as follows:
THE right Of wage earners in trade
and labor unions to bargain collectively,
TO be represented by representatives of
their own choosing in negotiations and
adjustments with employers in respect
to wages hours of labor and relations
and conditions Of employment Is recog-
nized. This must not be understood as
limiting the right of any wage Garner to
refrain from joining any organization or
to deal directly with his employer IL he
so chooses"
]. N. Tittemore, representing the
farmers and in the employers group,
rose to explain that he was not in SYM
pathy with the employers viewpoint on
collective bargaining. He believed in or
ganization, he said, and the farmers he
represented believed in II and were en-
ployees or workmen rathr than employ
ers. A vote was then taken on the Wheel
err resolution. Mr.. Baruch for the public
group voted no. Mr.. Wheeler for the
employer group voted yes. President
Gompers for the iapor group voted no.
The resolution was lost and the chair
man turned to the Chadbourne resolu-
ton. Mr.. Chadbourne rose and on be-
half of the public group moved the adop-
ton of the following substitute to the
original Chadbourne resolution:
THE right of wage earners to organ
lie associations of their own choosing.
to bargain collectively, 70 be represented
by representatives of their own choos-
ing in negotiations and adjustments with
employers, and in respect to wages
hours of labor and relations and con-
dtions of employment be recognized.
This must not be understood as limiting
the right of any wage Garner to refrain
from joining any organization or deal
directly with his employer il he SO
chooses"
New Resolution Explained.
In explanation of the new resolution
which provided for organization into
other bodies than trade or labor unions
Mr.. Chadbourne' declared on behalf Of
the public group and its representation
on the committee he wanted to say that
in adopting the so-called original Chad
bourne resolution they thought the
right of organization into other organiza-
tons than trade and labor unions was
so well recognized that the intent Of the
resolution confined to such organization
was plain.
Our confidence in that position" he
continued, was not disturbed until Sat
urday morning, when after adjournment
here the general committee met for the
purpose of giving further consideration
to the collective bargaining proposal. In
discussing 1t in general committee the
employers group and the public group
were talking, among other clauses. about
the injection of the words and other
associations after trade and labor
unions.
"In opposition to the insertion of those
words two of the members of the COM
mittee representing the labor group
Mr.. Morrison and Mr.. Maher, In the or
der in which I have recited them-took
the floor, and the former presented one
of the most cogent arguments l have
ever heard in favor of a construction
being placed upon the resolution previ-
ousy passed by the general committee
and reported to this conference which
inhibited and prohibited the idea that
any other body except a trade or labor
union/could be meant by the resolution =;
and that 1t was an invitation to the
wage earners of this country to join
no other organization; an invitation go
ing out from this conference TO the
wage earners to Join no other organiza-
ton except trade or labor union.
Reports on situation.
81 no more believe to-day that that
was a proper construction Of that reso-
t,,tf hall Inv Il rfofy
ally voted for It, but since it could be
SO construed by one of the labor group.
and a preferential right could be advo-
Gated by another of the labor group
with respect to those two organizations
being the kind OF organizations Mat
were referred to in that resolution, I
have felt it essential to go back to my
group and report the situation.
II then ascertained that in addition
to that an element of very significant
circumstances in this situation called
for the attention of the public group
and that circumstance is this. that not
withstanding the fact that their employ
ers never objected to wage earners or
ganizing in shops. or what is sometimes
called employees organizations, the
American Federation of Labor in the
twelve articles presented to the Stee
Corporation-the twelve grievances
had in the twelfth grievance themselves
made an agreement to shop committee.
of the very kind that the public grouI
supposed they were approving. as wei
as approving labor and trade unions
when they passed the resolution.
This having been reported to the pub
| lie group they voted both straightaway
and upon reconsideration to-day in ia
vor Of striking out trade and labol
unions in order that associations of theil
own choosing should be made to, ant
intended to include all trade and labo
unions, and in every kind OF association
that wage earners choose to make"
s!sa
Gompers Takes Issue.
Mr.. Gompers was recognized and said
without attempting to make any state
ment upon the proposal of the grouI
representing the public 1 am quite sur,
that Mr.. Chadbourne would not wan
Intentionally to do an injustice or maxi
statement which is not based upol
| facts With reference to the Statement
that the American Federation of Labo
presented twelve demands for the stee
strike, think without going any furthe
upon that he will correct himself"
Mr.. Chadbourne: Yes, / will correc
myself. 1t was of course the othe
unions of the steel workers but they are
as understand it, of the American Fed
! Grafton of Labor"
Mr. Gompers: mfr. Chadbourne sal
that the American Federation of Labo
presented the demands and when h
made the statement Just now he kneN
that 1t was not the American Federatio
| of Labor, and he knew further that n
| such demand has ever been made by an