Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-10-21

Washington, Oct. 21.--President Will
son, despite his Illness. was understood
to be preparing today to take a hand
in the national Industrial conference in
an effort to avert a break. which is
threatened as a result of the inability
of the capital and labor groups to
reach a satisfactory agreement of the
collective bargaining issue.
In q 600-word letter to Secretary
Lane, dictated from his sick bed. the
president outlined his views as to the
conference situations. The letter was
Immediately dispatched to Mr.. Lane,
who, 1t was explained. was to use 1t at
his discretion.
Letter May Be Held.
The conference was not in session
when MI. Lane received the communi-
cation. having met at 1915. and ad-
journed at the request of the labor
group after two resolutions had been
presented. 1t was said the letter might
not be presented to the conference i'm
mediately, but held in reserve and used
only when danger of the conference
breaking up became acute The seri-
Gus situation in the conference was re-
ported to the president, after Secre-
tary Lane, Secretary Wilson, Bernard
Rayuch. Thomas Chadbourne and and
Secretary Tumulty held conference.
The president Immediately dictated the
letter and signed 1t with a lead pencil
Seeking Compromise Plan.
Before the session today Chairman
hane~said the conference. would not
be permitted to stop Its work and that
the leaders of the three groups. had de-
cided to frame a new and comprehen-
sive program involving all the prob
lens. 1t was understood that refer
ence to~ the specific issue which has
caused the present situation would be
avoided.
Whine there was no talk of boiling
the conference, several members OF
the labor group were confident that
labor delegates would not leave the
conference but would press the ad-
vantage. gained in having brought the
public group into line with them on
every issue. 1t developed today that
the capital group is far from harmon
1OuS III tuclG cAOl - W AS1SA all uhSSA
standing on collective bargaining.
Some were understood to favor stand
ing by the substitute already, sub
mitted. but others were said to favor a
new proposal. ~
Among the new proposals introduce
ed this morning was one by Edward
L. Lorree,, urging an insurance policy
for emplayes covering the five major
hazards, accidents. death. sickness. in
Jury and unemployment.
Gary and Gompers Clash.
Gary and Gompers, dominent figures
in the Industrial situation. clashed
over the steel strike yesterday after
noon in the trade conference. ,.",.
Mr.. Gary, fresh from consultation
with other officials of the United
States Steel corporation in New York.
broke his silence and reiterated his
views that the controversy Is not one
to arbitrate or compromise.
II am of the fixed opinion" said Mr..
Gary, reading from a typewritten
statement, that the strike against the
steel industry should not be arbitratee
or compromised, nor any action taken
by the conference which bears upon
.
that subject"
Consideration for Capital Vital.
He laid stress on the open shop
and said that unorganized labor is en-
titled to as much consideration by the
conference as organized labor He ex-
pressed himself In accord with the de-
sire to establish industrial peace. but
he made 1t plain that he would not re-
cede from his refusal to deal with
labor representatives not employed In
the corporations plants.
All day long the corridors had been
humning with the news that Mr.
Gary would set forth his views. Sec
retary Lane and some OF the grour
leaders, fearing 1t might disrupt the
conference asked him to postpone his
remarks but after fuller thought it was
decided to set aside the parliamentary
rules and that no group would inter
pose objections II Mr.. Gary were given
the floor. va, p.
The moment the abatement was An
ished 1t was answered by Mr.. Com
pers, who said 1t was nothing less than
the letter sent to the steel companies
O month ago by Mr., Gary.
Son1sFs Speaks fer Labor.
The venerable labor leader repeated
labor's contention that the. "oper
shop" is not the Issue. He grew al.
most emotional as he dwelt upon the
statements OF the steel companies that
tn strike Ia petering out and the mer
are coming back. and said It put hi,r
In mind Of the cat which ate the
canary.
But" cried Mr.. Gompers, shaking
his Anger In the direction Of Mr.. Gary
"sometimes swallowing the canar!
may make indigestible food.
zone would imagine" Mr. Gompers
continued. his voice quiverins, .hai
the men Of labor who have hadzeithel
the Intelligence or the ternerity to or.
ganixe for their own or the common
protection, had In mind tearing dowr