Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-25
Conference of Heads Of 112
International Unions Called
by Gompers to Meet in Wash
ingtonlin "Near Future"
PROPOSE ASKING AID,
OF FARMERS IN FIGHT
Railway Brotherhoods May Be
Urged to Join-Union Lead
ers Reluctant to Divulge
Reasons for Meeting.

Washington, Oct. 24.-What may
prove one of the greatest industrial
battles in history was believed by
some observers here to be forecast
by the announcement today of Sam
uel Gompers, president of the Amer
ican Federation of Labor, that 4
conference of the heads of the liz
international unions affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor
would be held in Washington in the
near future" to discuss present AMI
impending disputes. :.
Cooperation of the four big rail-
road brotherhoods and the farmers
of the country, as we'll as the labor
organizations of Canada, probably
will be, sought, it was said, in fur
thering whatever program the union
chiefs decide upon. -
Mr.. Gcmpers' announcement was
contained in telegram to the ILL
nois Federation of Labor at Peoria.
His message was in reply to one in
which the Illinois organization asked
that a special convention of the
American Federation of Labor be
called to perfect an alliance Of the
international unions of the United
States and Canada and the railroad
brotherhoods, more effectively to
fight cut the life and death struggle
of the workers now in progress.
Want Farmers Help.
Federation officials also pointed
out that the Illinois branch proposed
that the aid of the farmers be en-
listed and that assessments aggre-
eating one-fourth of the net earn
ings Of organized workers be made
until the objects Of this drive be
accomplished"
Decision to issue a call for the
meeting of the International union
chiefs was reached by the fedora
tons executive council Tuesday
night, but the announcement was
withheld. At that time labor Off
cials had become convinced that the
national industrial conference would
be unable to reach any basis for the
establishment of industrial peace.
It was on the following day that
Mr.. Gompers, in Withdrawing or
ganized labors' representatives from
the conference warned the employ
ers group that when they met in
conference again with the spokes-
men for union labor they would be
glad to talk collective bargaining.
Decline to Give Details.
Federation officials today de-
clined to go into details regarding
the forthcoming conference. They
said subjects to be discussed would
rest with the union chiefs them
selves and the time of the meeting
had not been determined.
Whether there was any connec-
ton between the proposed confer
evce and the notice given the rail-
road administration by Timothy
Shea of the fremen's brotherhood,
that the railroad workers would
fight for general increases in pay
before tine government relinquished
control of the roads, was not dis
closed.
The brotherhoods are not affilia-
led with the American Federation of
Labor. but there has been close CO.
operation between the organiza-
tions. Leading officials of the broth
erhoods recently have held frequent
with officers of the fed
Grafton and announcement was
made day or two ago, by the COM
nittee conducting the steel strike
hat the brotherhood chiefs had
given their consent to a strike of
railroad workers employed in and
around steel mills involved in the
present controversy in the steel in
dustry.