The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-22
National Industrial Confer
ence Turns Down Both
Resolutions.
DISASTER is PREDICTED
Labor Chief Warns En-
ployers Dangerous Situa-
tion May Ensue.
SESSION Is DRAMATIC
Public Group Executes Right
About Face-Unfairness
Is Charged.
Special Despatch 10 THE Sun.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-In a session
hat ran long past the adjournment
hour and in which one dramatic incl
dent followed another the National
Industrial Conference late to-day
turned down a resolution recognizing
the right of labor to collective bar.
gaining and another providing for
arbitration of the steel strike.
These two resolutions were origi-
nally presented by the labor group,
which made no secret of the fact that
the resolutions were all that was
asked by labor in constructive pro-
gramme but that they were essential.
Disaster to the present industrial sit
uation was frankly predicted in event
of the failure of the conference to
ratify them.
The Gompers resolution providing
arbitration of the steel strike by
joint committee from the conference
was voted down without discussion.
1t was brought up as the next order
Of business after half a score of reso-
lutions and substitute resolutions on
collective bargaining had been voted
down. Employers and employees
voted against resolutions from the
public group. Employees and public
groups voted against the only one
from the employers and employers
and public voted against those ac-
ceptable to the labor groups.
Intense situation Prevails.
The situation was an intense one
and was marked by much feeling.
President Gompers made an impas-
stoned plea for action. He told of
the forces within the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor TO unseat its con-
servative leadership and in solemn
voice declared that If the American
Federation of Labor was turned down
the employers would have much worse
and very dangerous things TO deal
with.
His speech came when the labor
group was in the last ditch on its
collective bargaining position and was
a supreme effort. At times when he
spoke of what might come if the
federation was turned down his voice
fell to whisper, but the dead silence
his speech commanded made every
word audible.
After this dramatic plea the labor
chief threw down the gauntlet to the
employers and those who opposed
labor, declaring that though rebuffed
again labor would rise stronger and
mightier than ever and the victory
and justice denied would be won in
the shops of the employers where the
principle OF collective bargaining
would be taken. He said the only
force used would be persuasion and
the spirit of freedom In the Ameri-
can men and women workers would
not be denied.
Change of Front.
Mr.. Gomperss speech came after It
was plain that the public group had
completely changed front on the col
lective bargaining resolution and
would not support the one which it
had advanced and accepted along with
labor and on which a four day fight
had been made. This change was to
a large extent bewildering and IT
greatly confused an already much in
volVed situation.
The whole fight that brought charges
of unfairness and declarations OF mis-
understanding hinged on whether tho
conference, in laying down principles
OF collective bargaining. should include
other organizations than trade and
labor unions in the resolution. Labor
stood steadfast against inclusion OF
the words or even an acceptance for
the record that In intent the words
trade and labor unions included any
other labor organizations by any other
name and this stand finally lost the
support of the public group that had
been sharply divided throughout the
fight.
Before the last OF the collective bar
gaining resolutions was voted down mo-
tions to adjourn werS made, but
promptly defeated, though II was long
past the hour, When they had been
cleared away Chairman Lane told the
conference that the next order OF bust
ness was the Gary resolution" calling
for arbitration Of the steel strike. His
error in nomenclature brought n laugh
that helped to clear the atmosphere. lie
meant the Gompers resolution.
Baruch Votes for Group.
The public group without debate
asked for time TO caucus. II received
twenty minutes and returned In less.
Chairman Baruch voted no for the
group The employers group voted no.