The Red Cloud chief., 1919-11-06
labor's Withdrawal From the
Industrial Conference in
Washington.
PUBLIC GROUP ONLY STAYS
Coal Miners Reject Offer and Prepare
to strike-Government May oper.
ate Mines-Senate Committee
Adopts Strong Reservations
to the Peace Treaty.
BY EDWARD w. PicKARp.

After two weeks of discussion and
negotiation, the Industrial conference
at Washington was almost disrupted
Wednesday by the withdrawal Of the
labor delegation. Mr.. Gompers led
his bloc out Of the conference because
Its resolution on collective bargaining
was rejected. As ne departed he de-
clared the employers group was
adopting exactly the position assumed
by the !. w. What workers should
not enter into agreements with EN-.
ployers-and that he had nothing fur
ther to submit. "You have defeated
labor in its declaration here" he add
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
olution submitted II adopted, "would
60 out to the world rs concession
on the part Of the employers group
that they recognize the necessity Of
the unionization OF all the Industrial
establishments in the country and the
kind Of collective bargaining that the
pushed from other kinds"
The group representing the public
approved the resolution, and II was
beaten In the employers group by only
one vote, but the rules of the confer
ence require a unanimous vote for the
pard Of the railroad conductors
charged that political motives inspired
the action Of some Of the delegates
and to others II was apparent that the
steel strike issues really were respon.
sible for the attitude taken by the
majority Of the capital group.
President Wilson, on his sick bed
had dictated and signed letter to the
members Of the conference pleadins
for continuance of the sessions until
a solution OF Industrial relations wa:
reached, and this was read by Chair
man Lane, but It did not have the de
sired effect on Gompers and his col
leagues. At first II was thought thei
withdrawal meant the breaking up o
the conference, but the members o
the public group said they would keel
on with their work, and President WI
son sent another letter asking tina
this course be followed.
The failure, so far, Of the industria
conference TO accomplish anything |
disappointing enough. but public al
itention Is centered just now on anothe
labor trouble that Is imminent--th
threatened strike of soft coal miner
which is set for November l. Seer,
tary Of Labor Wilson has been worl
Ing desperately to avert this. and mad
proposal that would grant the miner
an increased wage. hut that ignore
their demand for 36.hour week. tn
miners committee formally rejecte
this offer, though II was thought III
operators would agree to 1t, and I'll
leaders of the miners left Washingto
at once to prepare for the struggl
The territory involved is the "centri
competitive district" including ives
ern Pennsylvania. Ohio, Indiana an
Illinois.
Secretary Wilson and the other go
eminent officials directly involved
this matter did not announce the
plans for the future, but they have Il
timated that II necessary, In order {
insure supply of coal to consumer
the mines Will be kept open and ope
lated by the government, with trooI
on guard. Congress also may int
vene II the efforts Of the governmel
fall. Already In both house and Sc