The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-10-30
Ne WIS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Labor'S Withdrawal From the
industrial Conference in
Washington.
PUBLIC GROUP ONLY STAYS
Coal Miners Reject Offer and Prepare
20 Strike-GoVernment May oper-
ate Mines-Senate Committee
Adopts Strong Reservations
to the Peace Treaty.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.
After two weeks Of discussion and
negotiation the Industrial conference
M Washington was almost disrupted
Wednesday by the withdrawal Of the
labor delegation. Mr. G0mpers led
his bloc out Of the conference because
lis resolution on collective bargaining
was rejected. As he departed he de-
clnrcd the employers group was
adopting exactly the position assumed
ht The l. W. What workers should
not enter into agreements with en-
ployerS and that he had nothing fur
ther 10 submit. "You have defeated
labor in IT'S declaration here" he add
ed, but we viii meet you again In
conference, and when we do meet you
There You will be glad to talk collec-
tive bargaining"
Spokesman for the capital group de-
MED The employers were opposed TO
collective bargaining. but said the res
outl0n submitted, II adopted would
20 out To the world rs concession
on the part Of the employers group
that they recognize the necessity Of
the unionlzatiou Of all the industrial
establishments in the country and the
Kind OF collective bargaining that the
labor unions insist upon as dlstin
guished from other kinds
The group representing the public
approved the resolution. aud II was
Icalcn y the employers group by only
one vote. but the rules Of the confer
ence require a unanimous vote for the
passage Of any resolution. L. +. Shep
pard ~ the railroad conductors
charged that political motives inspired
the action Of some ~ the delegates
and to others II was apparent that the
steel strike issues really we're rcspon-
slble for the attitude taken by the
majority ~ the capital group.
President Wilson, on his sick he'd,
had dictated and signed q letter 10 the
members ~ the conference pleading
Tor continuance Of the sessions until
q solution ~ industrial relations was
reached. and this was rend by Chair
man Lime. but 1t I'D not have the de-
sired effect on Gompcrs and his col
tongues AZ first II Was thought their
withdrawal meant the breaking np Of
the conference. hut the members Of
the public group said they would keep
on with their work, and President VII.
son sent another letter asking that
lh's course he followed
The failure, so far of the industrial
conference TO accomplish anything is
disappointing enough, but public at
temlon is conferred just now on another
tabor trouble that Is mmncnt-the
Threatened strike " soft coal miners
which IL SET for November l. Score
tary Of Labor Wilson has been work
Ing desperately to avert This. and made
proposal that would grant the miners
IN increased wage hut that ignored
their demand for q 3Bhour week. The
miners committee formally rejected
this offer though II was thought the
operators would agree 70 f., and the
leaders Of the miners left Washington
Of once TO prepare FOR the struggle.
The territory involved IL the central
competitive district" Including west.
rn Pennsylvania. OhIo, Indiana and
Illinois.
Secretary Wilson and the other gov.
ernmpnt officials directly involved IN
This matter did not announce theil
plans for tie future. but they have In.
hmatpd That + necessary, iu order e
insure supply ~ coal 10 consumers
the mines viii be- kept open ana oper
aled by the government with troops
on guard. Congress also inay inter
,ene II the efforts Of the government
fail. Already In both house and sen