New-York tribune., 1919-10-12

conferences are concerned, they are
maintaining the closest secrecy and
Will give no hint Of their intentions in
any respect. However, should the labor
group be defeated on the steel rcsolu-
ton, and should 1t fail to secure agree
ment to the principle of collective bar
gaining through chosen representa-
yves. 1t is considered improbable that
the conference could continue in ex-
istence.
Beyond doubt the wave Of extremism
that Is manifesting itself in industry
at so many points is having it's influ-
ence on the conference and may in
part be the means of turning some Of
the members to methods and policies
that formerly they would not have
agreed to.
1t is known that up to this point the
discussions in groups and in the gen.
eral committee have been conducted on
high and broad plane, even though
on certain points there have been dis"
>sres".o".s. In the early hours Of the
coming week, however. agreement has
got to be reached ON specific points on
which conferrees came here with wide
ly differing convictions.
Fundamentals Are at Stake
To-day two-thirds of the delegates
are absent from Washington. Men
from points as far away as Chicago
have gone to their homes. Thus the
conference is virtually out of existence
for the time being. The proceedings
have not been brought to a halt, how
ever, because it is known that the de-
bate over the steel resolution is con-
tinuing between conferrees, even
though they are not in session and
even though they are scattered.
1t is possible that the session Of the
general committee on Monday may
reach decisions that will settle the fate
OF the conference one way or the other.
II agreement on certain fundamentals
is possible in that committee all will
be we'll. If not. there may be a briefer
story to tell and one less productive
of good for the nation.
The business Of home-going, while it
slows up the conference, is not without
its relation to the conference, for dur
ing the brief visits there will be op-
portunity "to hear from the folks back
home" on the important matters now at
issue. To certain degree this was in
mind when adjournment was taken, and
conference leaders are undoubtedly
hopeful that "back home" talk will help
shape the momentous decision that is
to be reached here next week.
Public May Join Labor
AS the matter stands, the steel strike
resolution is favored by the labor
group, and probably favored by ma
jority Of the public representatives. 1t
would surprise q great many who
arc close to the situation if the public
group should line UP against the steel
resolution. 1t is considered probable
that this group stands at this time
IL favor OF collective bargaining All
speculation concerns the group at the
wight, the employers.
It had been hoped by many of the
ccnfeGrees yesterday that some word
from the White House might be re-
ceivcd by the conference before a final
decision was reached on the steel issue,
but to-day's announcement concerning
the Presidents condition lent no en-
couragement to that hope.
Proposals of the League for Indus
trial Rights were sent te Secretary
Lane to-day for submission to the
various groups of the conference. One
OF the proposals would make unlawful
the support Of strike or lockout be-
fore the parties involved have had time
to act on the terms demanded. Another
would make unincorporated associations
liable for their acts, and third would
forbid policemen or firemen to affiliate
with labor unions not made up entirely
Of fellow employees.
Calder Asks Broad Stand
Senator Calder, of New York, pre-
dicted i'll the Senate to-day that the
industrial conference will not be per