New-York tribune., 1919-09-12
Union Official Says Police
and Firemen, Members of
A. F. Of L., Are Under
Obligation Not to Strike
Boston Riots Show Peril
City Employees Strikes OPP
posed; W age Inquiry,
Committee Is Appointed

Methods of promoting industry by
the elimination Of strikes and through
closer cooperation between employers
and employees were discussed before
200 manufacturers and labor leaders
at a special conference held by the
National Civic Federation yesterday in
the rooms of the Merchants Associa-
tion, 233 Broadway. The strike of the
Boston policemen was cited as an in
dication of an imperative need for
prompt action in rcadjusting labor
difficulties
Recommendations made by various
speakers were that:
1. The right of employees to COL
lective bargaining in settling dis
putes ought to be recognized gen
and the employers.
2. Strikes should be averted
through an extension of the princi-
Piles of arbitration.
8. Greater production should be
brought about through profit sharing.
Preliminary to Washington
The conference was in the nature Of
an unofficial preliminary to the confer
ence which President Wilson has
called to be held in Washington next
month, in an effort to overcome in
dustrial unrest. Ralph M. Easley,
chairman Of the executive council of
the Civic Federation, pointed out that
President Wilson, in calling the Wash
ington conference, recognizes what
Lloyd George and Premier Borden of
Canada have recognized in their %
spcctive countries, which is that the
situation is so grave and so far-reach-
ing in it's various ramihcations that
only the highest authorities in the ma
tional government could properly deal
with it,"
George W. Perkins proposed that
the remedy for settling many indus
trial evils might be found in more
generous profit-sharin system on the
part of large corporations. Lewis
Nixon, Public Service Commissioner.
declared that New York's recent expert
cnce with transportation strikes showed
that the principle of collective bar
gaining on the part of employees is
fair and that the public has recognized
it as good thing.
Committee on Police Unions
Discussion of the strike of the Bos-
ton policemen resulted in the appoint
ment of special committee which is
to make a nations wide investigation
Of the condition Of policemen, fire
men and othet civil and p, blc utility
workers. The resolution reads
"ln view of the very serious and, in
this country, entirely new situation
arising out Of the organization Of
unions among policemen. 1iremen and
other public service employees it is
commended that the federation ap-
point special committee which shall
make study Of all the problems in
volved."
Speaking in the place of Samuel
Gompers, who was unable to be pres
ent, Matthew W. Woll, president Of the
international Union OF Photo En-
gravers, placed the blame for the Bos-
ton .pollcemen's strike on the failure
of the authorities to recognize the DO
l!cemen's union. He said the American
federation of Labor was opposed to
strikes of city employees and granted
charters to policemen and iremen 3
unions with the understanding thew
would not resort to strikes
THE difficulty in Boston is not due
to anything left undone by the Ameri-
can Federatlon of Labor to maintain
peace there" said Mr. Woll "Un-
fortunately, in my opinion, those in
authority in Boston have evidenced an
improper attitude toward the city en-
ployes, particularly the police. The
whole trouble could have been avoided
If the officials had permitted the police
to belong to the union"
Assails Steel Corporation
Mr.: Woll described as "a form of
Bourbonism" the refusal of the officials
OF the United States Steel Corporation
to deal collectively with the employees
and thus avert the threat OF a strike in
the steel industry. at is this attitude
which makes for dangerous conditons."
he said. "The time has passed when
any man can say he is the ruler of the
destinies of the people in his employ"
Other speakers were Wheeler P.
Bloodgood, an attorney of Milwauk
Myer Bloomfield, of Boston; T. V
O'Conner, president of the Longshore
mems Union; Angus 9. Hbbard, of the