The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-18
LABOR CONFERENCE
NEARS AGREEMENT
Collective Bargaining Resolu-
lions Are Returned to Com
mittee for Compromise.
WORKERS INSIST ON VOTE
Protest Against Delay Until
Monday But Are Unable to
Carry Their Point.
Special Despatch to TUE sus.

Special Despatch to TUE sus.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.--After an all
day grapple on the question Of collective
bargaining and Interpretation OF the
term. the National Industrial Confer
snce adjourned late this afternoon until
Monday morning without action. Labor
representatives fought bitterly for con-
tinued session until a final vote was
reached, but In vain. Representatives OF
the public group and the employers
group insisted upon more time to COM
nose the differences. and the labor dele
ration was finally voted down. three Of
rs own members voting with the ma
iorities In the other two groups.
The adjournment motion carried with
n provision that the matter OF coll
Iective bargaining, on which two reso-
buttons are under considerstion-not OPP
posing resolutions. but each regarded as
susceptible of interpretation--be referred
back to the general committee of the
conference for further consideration and
q possible composing Of differences
Progress Is Made.
While the fight was bitter one and
no action was taken, there was ample
evidence Of progress toward disposal Of
this subject. The three groups were
much closer together. and nearly every
spokesman for the employers group ex-
PRESSED belief that the matter could
be composed Many labor representa-
tives made it plain that labor would
give no more. and stated In unveiled
language that they could see no reason
for attempting to proceed further UNI
less the collective bargaining resolution
- NV "a
accepted
The differences are resolved. however,
into the method Of expression to be en-
ployed The employers group insisted
upon wording that could not be con-
strued as recognition of the right of
outside representation In bargaining, or
recognition of national leaders as dele
gates In negotiations unless such repre-
eentation was agreeable to the employer
In the circumstances The issue. of or
canization Of public employees for col
iectiye bargaining was likewise brought
up.
The whole question has been thrown
back to the general committee for fur
ther action, and public and employers
representatives on the committee told
the conference that they believed an
other discussion would do the Job. Just
how far the committee can go seems to
however. as viewed by members OF the
committee. II can bring In brand new
resolution II one can be agreed upon to
take the place OF the two principle and
many minor ones that have been In con-
troversy. Failing this II may amend
one of the principal resolutions in way
that will be generally acceptable.
snarl on the Rules.
In sanding the question and the reso.
iution back the conference fell into some
what of a snarl on the question OF rules
and procedure.
Secretary Lane as chairman, however.
settled these questions ikea old parlia-
mentarian.
President Gompers OF the American
Federation OF Labor. who had been alb
sent from the conference sessions for
several days as a result OF illness. was
6 leading figure In the closing fight OF
The week. He came TO the afternoon
session of the conference apparently
full of vigor and took an active part In
addition to steering the labor effort to
get action SO that the leaders in Wash
ington can have some progress to show
their FESTIVE followers.
The issue was not drawn until the
close of two large sessions devoted to
participant after another chided his fell
lows about the waste of talk. When ad-
.ournment time approached John
Spargo, public delegate. declared that
much time was being lost because of a
wandering from the question at issue. He
said that collective bargaining was not
the Issue. that the matter had resolved
itself into a question OF definition of the
character of collective bargaining that
might be approved. He warned against
further conflict and the dangers of q
rupture and bespoke more time for con.
sideratiou-
Threat by Labor.
President Gompers jumped to his feet
and moved that the rules be suspended
and the conference keep on until II had
disposed of the matter. Daniel ]. Tobin
labor delegate followed him and de
ciared II was a crime TO keep the labor
representatives in the conference doinl
nothing, with strikes going on all ovei
the country.
Unless something IL accomplished 4
Is useless for US to stay here. There u
not a chance" he said. ito change thu
position Of labor, and II the resolution
is recommitted we will come here Mon
day just where we are now"
L. Z. Sheppard, labor representative
who early in the day had urged tina
time be taken to get results, Joined tn
other labor men and declared that Tn
delegates had their minds made up as 4
how far they would go. and that unles
the labor Representatives could get al
assurance that the employers groul
would give way In some measure
further parley was useless He too Is
sued a warning. saying the America
people are suspicious of everything.
They are suspicious Of the employ
ers, they are even suspicious of tn
Government, and they are getting sus
picious OF u.s." said he 1T Is becoming
increasingly difficult for men like my
self to hold the reins."
He concluded that II would be
calamity to quit. but that he did no
See how labor could stay in the confer
ence unless something was cone. II
urged that labor. as represented at tn
conference, be not driven into cornell
Chadbourne Asks Harmony.
Thomas L. Chadbourne of the publ
group and chairman OF the general com
mittee made an impassioned plea 70
harmony and time.
Both these groups-the labor srou
and the emp oyers group" he sale
'owe II to the public group to see II thes
differences cannot be reconciled. VIII
this impatience and unwillingness
meetf ] ann sure that II, the generi
committee hak another opportunity ths
the matter can be ironed out"
Mr.. Chadbourne moved recommi