The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1919-12-30
,GOMPERS STATES
y 1ABOR'S POSITION
Defends Unions as Essential
and Organization of Both
Capital and
LABOR AS NECESSARY

Washington, Dec. 29.-Sugges-
tions of the Presidents Industrial
conference for the settlement of la
Dor unrest drew fire today from or
ganized labor in the first of the
public discussions invited by the
commission in it's report, published
today.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor. said
the failure of the conference to rec
ognize definitely the organizations of
workers-trade unions-as the ba-
sis for representation, was a fatal
omission; while Frank Morrison,
secretary of the Federation, noting
the absence Of reference by the con-
ference to collective bargaining of
the necessity for organizations Of
workers, said anyone who would
avert or postpone industrial con-
fiicts could not ignore these princi-
pies.
Mr.. Gompers declared the COM
mission should reconsider the ques-
tion of denite recognition of trade
unions Gin order to make possible
the condence and cooperation of
wage earners which can be expressed
only through organizations of their
own making"
"Any plan to establish or main
tain anything like fair relations be-
tween workers and employers must
avoid compulsory features" he de-
clared. "Any proposal for compul-
sorry labor is repugnant to American
sovereignty and citizenship"
Mr.. Morrison said the declaration
against government employees join
ing the American Federation of La
Dor would indicate that the COM
. mission has been affected by the
temporary wave of anti-unionism.
"The statement he added, "of-
fers no hope to lovers of Industrial
peace who see the necessity of abol-
ishing autocracy in industry and Civ
working conditions.
"It no solution to empower the
President and cabinet official tc
| select representatives of workers tc
| adjust disputes The workers must
have this power themselves
| Mr.. Gompers, at the outset of his
statement, said that except for it:
opening declarations he had founc
nothing new and little of interest
! in the conference report.
In the opening statement" con
tinued Md. Gompers. "the report set
forth the right relationship between
employer and employe in large in
dustries can be promoted by the de
Lucrative organization of that re1a
| tionship. But the report fails t,
give definite recognition to the appli
cation Of this truth. Both employ
ers and employees must be organize,
in order to become responsible par
ties to any system of mediation o
Observation-Disclosures the arbitra
tion-otherwise the arbitration tri
bunaI must deal with individuals in
stead Of organized groups. Tn
principle of representation depend
upon organization.
: ''In order to promote constructiy
and permanent changes that wi
eliminate causes of much fndustris
unrest the conference should cor
slider governmental agencies to pirt
vide the necessary information an
assistance in securing continuou
betterment OF working. condition
That problem must ultimately /
worked out by employers and en-
pfoyes, but the government shoul
i advise and assist.
"It should always be borne
mind that our social fabric ia base
> on mutually and voluntary fnstit,
q tions.
: "It is something not yet fully n,
= derstood how perfectly safe freedo
i is."