The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-21
President Writes Letter Upon
Sick Bed in Attempt TO Pre-
vent Break Between Capital
and Labor Groups.

WASHINGTON, Oct 9i.--PresilSut
Wilson, despite his illness. has taken
personal hand in the national industrial
conference in an effort to avert q break
which is threatened as result OF tina
inability OF the capital and labor groups
70 reach a satisfactory agreement on
the collective bargaining issue
In 6O0.word letter to Secretary
Lane chairman of the conference, die
tated from his sick bed, the president
outlined hts views as to the conference
situation. The letter was Immediately
dispatched TO Mr.. Lane, who, II was
ton
The conference was not IN session
when Mr. Lane received the commufl-
cation, having met at 1915 am, and ad-
Journed at the request OF the labor
group after two resolutions had been
presented. II was said the letter might
not be presented TO the conference im-
mediately but held in reserve to BE-
used only when danger OF the confer-
ence breaking up became acute. ~
The serious situation In the confer
enoe was reported to the president ear
~ today after Il conference between
Chairman Lane Secretary Wilson, OF
chairman Of the public group; Thomas
L. ChHdbourne. chairman OF the COM
mittee of Is, and Secretary Tumulty.
Tho president Immediately dictated the
letter to a stenographer and signed the
completed copy with n lead pencil
Hands Is Shaky.
The presidents signature was written
on the bias across the sheet and app
parently his hand was somewhat shaky
when he signed II. Tumulty iulHle-
diately left for the Pan American build
ing, where the conference sits, to pre-
sent the letter to Mr. Lane
Before the brief session today Chair
man Lane said the conference would not
be permitted to end it's work and that
the leaders Of the three groups--oapitaL
labor and the public--had decided 10
frame a new and comprehensive nro-
gram, involving all industrial issues Of
general nature, II was understood
reference to the specific issue that has
caused the present situation would be
avoided
While there was no talk Of bolting the
conference, several members OF the la,
Dor group plainly were impatient Dele
gates In the public group, however,
were confident the labor representa-
tivess would not leave the conference
but would seek to press the advantage
| gained through having suggested In
| bringing the public representatives into
| line with them on every important isstte
| this far introduced,
II developed today that the employ
| ers are far from agreement among
themselves on a declaration regarding
| collective bargaining, despite their AZ.
| forts to reach a common understanding
at conferences yesterday and last night
Some members OF the group were said
TO favor standing by the substitute al
ready introduced, but others urged that
new proposal be submitted
| President Wilson Is being kept m
| formed also as to the threatened strike
OF bituminous coal miners, and the
| treaty situation in the senate II was
announced today at tho white House
that Improvement In his condition dur
Ing the past few days had made II
possible for him to receive written re-
| ports from Secretary Tumuty on these
| and other pressing problems,
The presidents physicians announced
| today while he did not sleep 30 well
| last night, he showed no signs OF fa-
| tigue this morning and that the pros
| tattc condition was unchanged.
A bulletin issued at ll.25 am, fol-
| lows:
THE presidents prostate condition
| remains as before. Chemical examina-
| tion OF the blood shows the kidneys TO
be functioning normally, He did not
sleep so well last night, bus :kows no
| sign Of fatigue this morning