The Washington times., 1919-10-08

AOA ~ ~ duNduEGr as uau DGGu LAlo
case IN Great Britain and Canada.
/ Under the condition, he hinted, 1t
might be necessary for the groups to
sit in session for days at a time, and
substantial progress might be made
/ by adjOurning the general meeting
altogether.
"lf adjournment is the only way we
can get any action, am in favor Of
/ it." said Gavin McNab, OF San Fran
| cisco, but I announce here and now
/ that am a direct actionist. want
| to see something done. 1 am opposed
TO a vacuum"
Judge Elbert H. Gary had a brief
| conference with Frank Morrison, sec
retary Of the American Federation Of
Labor, just before the conference
| opened. talking in as apparently
| friendly a fashion as il the steel
/ strike was the last thing on their
minds.
Rockefeller Confer..
John D. Rockefeller, jr., also spent
| considerable time in making friends
/ among the labor delegation. He con-
versed a long time with Herman z.
/ Wills, vice president Of the Brother
! hood OF Locomotive Engineers. Willis
| put in some thirty years as a loco
motive engineer on the Chicago and
| Northwestern, and he told Mr.. Rookie
teller Of the old days when industrial
disputes were settled on that road by
men taking their grievances direct to
the presidents office which was al
ways open to them.
1--WE never had much trouble
either" he said. "The door was al
ways open TO US IL we had a just
grievance"
That is very interesting" said the
oil magnate.
It is probable that the labor group
viii oppose any motion for a lengthy
adjournment Members Of the public
group, however, will propose an ad-
jOurnment of two or three weeks to
give the central committee OF ffteen
time to consider more proposals that
are being prepared for introduction
by the three groups. Tomorrow the
conference probably will be flooded
with propositions. More than 200
have been received from outside
sources, but they are held up until
approved for Introduction by groups.
All members Of the conference daily
are receiving suggestions from per-
sons in all parts OF the country.
Must Stay On Job.
All delegates must stay on the lob.
the central committee Of the confer
ence served notice Immediately after
the session opened. Many delegates
who feel the call OF business had
made Inquiries as to whether alter
mates might be named by them. The
committee ruled that alternates can
be appointed only by the President,
the chamber Of commerce or one Of
the other groups authorized to send
delegates. Some delegates had ex-
pressed the fear that were absentees
allowed to appoint their alternates
the conference soon might become
meeting OF dummy delegates.
Thomas L. ChadbOurne was an
nounced as chairman Of the central
committee which organized last night.
The committee is regarded as the most
important power I'm the conference
since under the rules, it may pigeon
hole any proposal. John ]. Raskob,
Of the Dupont Powder Company, and
Frank Morrison, Secretary Of the
American Federation OF Labor, are
secretaries Of the COMMITTEES which Is
composed Of i've delegates from each
group.
Labor Proves Crafty.
The announcement that Samuel
Gompers has no program to offer the
conference caused wide interest yes
terday. Labor has adopted a watch
ful, passive game; ready to play poll
ties II the other fellow wants to;
ready to strip for action and talk
hard facts. such as the steel strike,
IL that Is the will Of the conference.
Il Is prepared for anything and every
thing. It has made no effort to sound
out the other groups, and knows its
own mind so thoroughly that its soIi-
darity stands out impressively.
Mr.. GOmpers introduced the system
Of unit voting yesterday, and cast the
ballot Of his entire delegation with a
wave Of his hand. He and his assist
ants have established unquestioned
leadership Of the entire delegation, 50
far as fundamental Issues are consid- |
cred, and will play their cards with |
their accustomed vigor and incisive- |
ness when the strategic moment ar |
riVes.
Employers IN QuandaFy.
The employers group have no pro- |
gram or policy except as different |
plans and viewpoints may be merged |
and crystallized for the sake Of uni /
foTmity. On several occasions yester-
day the group voted as a unit, gener-
ally with labor as opposed to the pub
lies representatives. The problem OF /
the latter is the hardest, so far as /
getting any sort Of group action is /
concerned, hecauBe 1t contains ele-
ments Of the nations population, run
ming all the way from Judge Gary |
to John SpargO.
When it is projected into the con-
ference, the labor program will fol-
low strictly the beaten paths upon
which the A. +. Of L. delegates feel
they can make an impregnable stand.
They will insist upon the spirit and
letter Of the labor covenant )in the
peace treaty, which includes COllec-
tive bargaining and union reCOgni-
ton, the living wage, and the eight
hour day. Before this program is pre-
sented, il is possible that labor will
allow the employers and the publiC's
groups to have a full and open hear
ing, so as to know exactly where
they stand.
Labor delegates referred to their
program as conservative" It in
cludes only those principles for which
labor long has fought
leaders said. Profit sharing and the
44-houT week are not included, II
was emphasized. The program does
include union recognition. il was eN-
planned Whether the question Of
closed shop will be raised is UnceT-
tain.
The labor proposaIs-also included a
demand for recognition, by all en-
nIOvarg ~ tho RIGHT OF unfDr work ]