Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-06
Opening of Industrial
 Conference Today
To Consider Problems Arising Out of the Reconstruction Period.

Washington, Oct. 5-Capita1. labor
 and the public will sit down tomorrow
 in conference called by President
 Wilson to consider industrial problems
 arising out of reconstruction.
 basis of cooperation between the
 three great elements in the life of the
 nation which will go far toward eli
 minating strikes and other social un-
 rest. is hoped for as a result of the
 deliberation
 The only discordant note so far has
 been the opposition of the railroad
 unions to the basis of representation offered them. Acting as a unit. the fourteen transportation organizations are considering a compromise proposal offered by Director General Hines. act ing for the president, which would allow the four brotherhoods one dele gate each. with the other unions to be represented by the delegates ac- credited to the American Federation of Labor, with which they are afiliat- ed. In addition, B. M. Jewell acting president of the federation's railway employees department, has been named one of the delegates representing the public.
 whether the proposal would be ac- cepted. Timothy Shea. of the firemen, said he had not heard from all the unions. so that the matter still was whether those which had replied had accepted the proposal. There were reports, however, that the transpor- tation workers would remain out of the conference unless all unions were given one delegate each. as they had asked President Lee. of the train men and President Sheppard, of the conductors, will arrive here tomor- row when the proposal will be further discussed.
 The length of the conference is a matter of uncertainty and will depend on the progress made by the delegates in formulating programme to guide until normal conditions are restored.
 All physical arrangements for the a assembling of the conference in the American Building have been completed but a temporary presiding Wilson, making preparations for the has been loath to take the chair in the absence of President Wilson because of suggestions that undue influence might appear to be given the Ia bor side of the questions up for discussion Secretary Lane has been spoken of for chair man because he was one of the first to suggest such a conference.
 It seems certain that the confer ence will be opened by high govern ment official. who will make way for a permanent chairman when the con- ference effects an organization Pres ident Wilson. through Secretary Tu- nuiIy, IS eApecteu eo SuSSe9t ~ conference his choice for presiding of= fcer.
 While the railroad unions appear to nc the only group invited which may refuse to participate. the conference will assemble with the farmers and the negroes dissatisfied with their rep Farmers organizati tions have protested that they should have more than three delegates and some negroes have requested that mem per of their race be appointed to pre- sent their interests In answer to the former. it has been pointed out that two of the publics delegates are far ners in addition to the farm organi- zations' representatives. The negroes u,ere not given a delegate it was said ,#cia1Iv because no attempt was made to draw a color line in consId- .ring labor problems. and all recom- will apply indiscrim1nate- V to white and black workers.