The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-10-17
JOHN D. PLEADS
LABOR'S CAUSE.
REMARKABLE SCENE
IN INDUSTRIAL MEET
Crisis Comes, With Labor
Threatening to Withdraw
Delegates

WASHINGTON. Oct. 1s-Reeognition
Of the right of collective bargaining
came to the floor Of the national indus
trial conference today. and was debated
for three hours. but q vote was impos-
siblc, as the conference had to adjourn
at $50 o'clock under its rules. Virtual
notice was given by members OF the
labor group that should the represents.
tiycs Of capital succeed in their attempt
to send the resolution back to the con-
mittee of fifteen, the labor delegation
would withdraw.
The collective bargaining resolution
providing for an endorsement OF the
right Of wage earners to negotiate with
employers through representatives OF
their own choosing" was reported to tho
conference when it met at 1880 o'clock
this afternoon with the approval OF ah
Of the public and labor delegates In the
committee, but opposed by the represen-
tativcs Of capital.
Rocksfsl1srs Flea u
Realizing that tho conference faced
the liklihood Of dissolution unless an
agreement could be reached on the issue
of collective bargaining. members Of the
public group directed eloquent appeals
to the employers in an effort to win
them over to the resolution. Leading
in this effort was John D. Rockefeller.
Jr., representative Of one Of the nations
greatest industrial organizations, who
pleaded for new spirit" in industry
with universal recognition Of "the right
of representation" by workers, who. he
added, really sought mot higher wages
but recognition as men,"
jo,r hn In
interest can q man take in his work;
what enthusiasm can he be expected to
develop on behalf Of his employer, when
he is regarded as number on . PAYROLL
a cog in a wheel, . mere hand" he
asked, who would not earnestly seek
to gain recognition Of his manhood and
the right to be heard and treated ~ 9
human being and not as a machinef
Joined By Endicott a
Mr.. Rockefeller was Joined by II. B.
Endicott. a shoe manufacturer, and
member Of the public group who spoke,
he said, as ''onc Of the largest employ
ers in the country. and the largest en-.
ployer Of labor in his line in the world"
Judge Gary Abseut
Adding to support given the reaolp-
ton were Gavin McNab. Of San Francs
co; Paul l.. Feiss, Of Cleveland: John
Spargo, Of New York. and Charles Ed.
| ward Russell. of New York, all mcln-
bers Of the public group. Judge Eibcrl
H. Gary. chairman Of the United stat.
Steel corporation, another member al
the group. was absent. s.
Frank Morrison taking UP the issue
for the labor delegation. defed the en-.
ployers with the challenge that they
could not deny nor interfere with the
right Of bargaining through chosen
| representatives" q
The arguments Of the public and
labor delegates were countered by Fred
erick p. Fish, Of Boston, chairman OF
the national Industrial board. with q de-
| fense Of the open shop. w
Mr. Fishs motion TO recommit the
rcsolution-a motion which perhaps
Involves the future Of the conference
will be the order Of business when the
delegates meet at $3.50 o'clock tomor-
row morning. -
Defect ProbsnlA
Members Of the central committee
we're emphatic tonight in their asser.
,, ton that tho committee will not be dis
posed to consider amendments to ths
! resolution. IL rccommitted, and that %
: far as the committee was concerned the
| proposal would stand until 1t was 20.
| CCpleO TtytSleN NONC "a NuV SSsA-
! ference. AS the situation stood At I'd.
journmcnt tonight. there was every I'M
| dication that the measure. X brought
UP for a vote tomorrow. would receive
. the approval Of the labor and public
I groups. but would be bitterly opposed
, by the employers. Under tho rules Of
! the conference. lack Of unanimity
among the three groups would defest
! the resolution.
| Should such a situation arise It wa
! feared the labor delegates would bolt
the conference. leaving no alternative
(: but dissolution. ~.
! The delegates comprising the EN-.
. ploycrs' group held a long conferences
| tonight lasting until midnight at which
an effort was made to reach an aSree'
mcnt regarding the collective bargain.
! ing resolution.
1t was said by several members of
, the group that the sentiments express
; ed by employers representatives In tAs
conference today could not be consides.
I'd as rejecting the attitude OF the en-.
tire group. which it was said had not
taken a stand on the resolution.