The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-14
LABOR CONFERENCE
GETS STRIKE ISSUE
Prolonged Fight Probable Over
Arbitration Plan Favored
by Labor.
GROUPS DIFFER IN VIEWS
Counter Proposal Agreed Upon,
but Details Are Withheld
for Present.
Special Despatch 10 The SUI.

WASHINGTON, Oct. IL. The steel
the National Industrial Conference by
the labor group will be reported out to-
morrow by the general committee of the
conference without recommendation when
The conference reassembles after three
day adjournment. That there will be a
bitter and possibly a prolonged fight
over 1t on the conference floor Is re-
garded as likely. The committee which
has been considering the resolution for
several days, realizing the existing dead
lock could not be shaken to-day, agreed
to take this action.
The situation in the conference will
probably be much as ii was in the COM
mittee, where the labor representatives
were solid for Il. the employers repre-
sentatives controlled by a majority put
up a united front In opposition and the
public group probably opposed on a unit
vote. The labor representatives pressed
their demand on the ground that failure
to arbitrate the strike would encourage
the 1. w. w. and other radical elements.
Under the conference rules favorable
action cannot be taken on the resolu-
ton calling for conference settlement of
the steel strike unless there is united
vote for 1t. Each Of the three groups
votes as a unit. and there seems no
possibility of having the employers
group at least vote in the affirmative.
Agree to Compromise.
Tho general committee agreed to-day
on a counter proposition to the labor
resolution for arbitration. Just what
this compromise was or how much of a
compromise 1t will be was not made
known.
All Of the committees discussions and
actions were closely guarded and no an
nouncements were made Nothing definite
could be learned with respect to the
compromise resolution. but II is evidently
one to act as a stabilizer in the con-
| ference tomorrow and to prevent vio-
| lent rupture between the oontending
| forces that would have an adverse af-
4 feet upon the conference work and the
possibilities of accomplishment of some
sound results by way of fundamentals
! for the settlement Of the entire industrial
4 situation.
There was talk that the adjustment or
| compromise resolution provided for con-
| ference action with respect to the steel
strike after the conference had accom-
| pnSneN llb WOTh vi iiluurtiisti tohNiAiphF
| In general and had possibly recon-
| mended the erection OF some machinery
for the adjudication Of such disputes a.
the steel strike.
| Indication that the steel strike arhi-
tration issue would be brought before
the conference immed ately on Its recon
vening was contained In a statement Is
| sued tonight.
Magnus w. Alexander. managing al.
rector Of the National Industrial Con
ference Board, which has Ave repre-
sentatives in the employers group of the
conference. said to-day:
obviously, decision by the confer
ence to arbitrate the steel strike" saic
Mr.. Alexande<'s statement, would invit
consideration of all other importan
PENDING strikes and OF any new contro
versies that may arise while the confer
cree Is In session. The strike OF tn
!ongshoremen in New York harbor, o
the shop employees in the Altoona plan
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
4. the allied printing trades in New Yor
city, would be entitled, in the opinion o
many people. to equal consideration b
the conference.
"A reading OF the Presidents lette
inviting delegates TO the industrial con
ference does not indicate that ne In
tended the conference to be an arbitra