New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
General Strike
Threatened for
Right to Strike
Passage of Bill Prohibit.
ing Walkouts Will Re-
suit in Nationwide Tie.
up. Union Chief Warns

WASHINGTON, Oct. Organized
labor intends to preserve the right to
strike, officials of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor said to-day in warn
ing that passage by Congress OF the
anti-strike legislation proposed in the
pending railroad bill would result in
an immediate general walkout over the
country.
William II. Johnston, president OF
the International Association of Ma
chinists. second largest union affiliate d
with the Federation, said "direct action
might be resorted to II all other means
Of advancing the interests of the
unions failed. lie referred particularly
to what he termed the efforts of en-
ployers to shut out unions by binding
their workers with individual contracts
Mr.. Johnston announced that with
the passage of the anti strike legisla-
tion he would order Immediately vote
on a strike of the 900 members OF
his association and predicted the heads
OF the other 112 international Unions
in he Federation would take similar
action. Other union officials agreed
with this view.
While the legislation against strikes
now pending in Congress applies solely
10 railroad workers. many Of whom are
not affiliated with the Federation, i,
was said to-day this legislation was
one of the principal reasons why the
heads OF the unions in the Federation
were to be summoned here in the near
future for a conference.
Officials Of the four railroad broth
erhoods conferred to-day with Samuel
Il nth 0Ct
of the Federation. 1t has been proposed
that the cooperation Of the brother
hoods be enlisted in the general fight
now being waged for recognition OF
the principle of collective bargaining
and representation by the chosen
spokesmen of labor.
Present at the conference also were
representatives of the following farm
ers' organizations: The National Board
of Farm Organizations, the Federation
of Milk Producers, the American So
ers' Union.
Labor Conference Called December 13
Mr.. Gompers issued the following
statement at the close of the meeting
"a conference was held in the A. f
of l.. building this afternoon, in which
representatives of the A. F. of L., the
railroad brotherhoods and the four
farmers organizations participated
General discussion ensued rega riding
the legislation pending in Congress in.
lmicable to the rights and interests OF
industrial and agricultural workers.
"Further discussion ensued regard
ing legislation which should be urged
at the hands of Congress in the inter
ests of the above.
"lt was determined that the call for
the conference determined upon by the
executive council of the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor should be issued
jointly by the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor and the
railroad brotherhoods
at was decided that the conference
should take take place in Washington
December 13.
"The representatives of the farmers
organizations, tlahougil III entire sym
pathy with the discussion and pur-
poses, stated they had no authority
from their organizations to Join in the
call for the conference, but that then
conventions, which would be held
within month from now, would be
glad to receive invitations upon which
to act, and select delegates for the
December 13 conference"
Several close observers of the III
dustrial situation said to-day an al
lance between the Federation and the
brotherhoods appeared more than prob
able. They pointed TO the anti-strike