The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-08-28
Executive Council Of American Federation of
Labor in Extraordinary Session Today
in Washington.
STR|KES AND HIGH PRICES DISCUSSED
Will Public Sentiment Approve Strikes in
Ii View of President Wilson'S Appeal
for Truce?
BY Fred s. Ferguson, United Press
Staff Correspondent.

by Fred s. ferguson, united Fress
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-Holding
n its hands the delicate balance of
HE economic and industrial immedi-
|Rfe future Of the country, the execu-
Hive council of the American Fedora
MOn Of Labor met in extraordinary
$NeBsion here today.
Among leaders, drawn here by dis
Dptes in their trades, or attracted by
84he important meeting of the council,
Eclief was expressed that presidents
82yF all various unions affiliated with
Fde A. f. of L. might be summoned
Rbefore final action is taken on the big
tnding problems.
While immediat action Is expected
86n the steel and railroad situation,
fley believe the rank and file may be
Eunsulted before steps are taken on
fhe broader questions Of future policy.
The threat Of strike of union en-
ployes OF the United States Steel cor
Doration and the demands Of the rail-
read shopmen will be given first con-
Elaboration by the council.
The stand of President Wilson
E1gainst further wage increases, in re-
$splying to the demands of the shopmen,
&;is a tremendous factor in the situa
#3tion.
The leaders of the shopmen are
#confdent their men are ready to
strike for the increased demands.
#They are not certain however. that
3Spublic sentiment would approve the
ketrike, in view of theS presidents ap-
&peal. Opposed to this appeal is the
&unrest in the rank and file of labor.
a California railroad workers are
#striking In defiance Of orders from the
union leaders. Numerous smaller
strikes, under similar conditions are
&in progress and leaders report a
\ growing tendency Of the rank and
SfiJe to act over the heads Of their un'
aon officials. ;,
A decision by the executive council
to answer the presidents appeal ano
hold all strikes in abeyance therefore
Einvolves test of power OF control Oh
the organization.
Glenn Plumb, framer Of the Plumb
Eplan for naturalization and democ
ratizing Of railroads will appear De'
fore the council on behalf of the rail
road brotherhoods and ten other rail-
way workers unions. Announcement
of a definite policy as regards the
plumb plan is expected to follow, thus
tionalization Of similar industries, ano
workers participation in control.
President Gompers arrived here
early today from New York with other
members Of the executive council
which was scheduled to go into ses
] sion at 10 o'clock. Those attending
the meeting were: Gompers, Secre
tary Frank Morrison, Treasurer Dan
H ial ]. Tobin and Vice Presidents James
Duncan, ]. a. Valentine, t. A. RICK
ert. William M. Green, Jacob F1sch
Il ner, w. D. Mahon, Frank Duffy ane
Matthew Woll
Steel men were suggesting toda,
that, since the president had ap
pealed against any wage increases
possibly he might see the advantage
Of appealing for a conference 1ol
them, which they declared is all tina
they were asking from the steel cor
porations.
Secretary Foster denied the repor
that strike had been ordered 10
Labor day.