The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-09
LABOR MEETING
TO GET DOWN TO
BUSINESS TO-DAY
National Industrial Confer
ence Expected to Make
Progress.
THREE GROUPS AT WORK
Capitalists and Labor Leaders
Fraternize at Suggestion
of Chairman.
Special Desrarcn TO TIE sus.


Industrial conference dissolved to-day
INTO a large number of groups and
sectional meetings. Because Of the
rules adopted yesterday that inhibit
,onference' consideration of any mat
Ter not presented with the approval
OF an entire group, the body when II
met this morning found itself again
without any business and adjourn
ment was forced.
The general conference win meet
again tomorrow morning and by that
lime 1t is expected the various groups
will' have formulated some plan Of
action upon which the conference can
proceed.
Finding the conference in this ait
uation, Chairman Lane suggested that
delegates before leaving for their
group and sectional meetings devote
some time to getting acquainted.
This was not the difficult thing that
might have been anticipated. There was
hothing awkward in the meeting of the
individuals on either side.
Gary Chats with Morrison.
Judge e. II. Gary. who has on his
hands what looks like a life and death
struggle with organized labor in the
steel strike. chatted on apparently the
most friendly terms with Frank Morri-
eos. secretary of the American Fedora
tion OF Labor. The subject of the con-
versation Is not known John d. Rookie
feller, Jr. fraternized with several OF
the labor delegates. chatting with them
in most interested manner
For the most part those attending the
conference mingled for general conver-
sation for upward OF an hour before the
call for dispersal for group meetings
was made by Chairman Lane.
Though the employers and labor rep
resentatives were most amiable. met
easily and got along famousiy, It Is safe
to assume that they did not exchange
Views on the matters they deem vital In
the conference, but rather upon abb
stract questions affecting the general
ISSUE .--
1t Ia known that Mr.. Rockefeller dis
cussed settlement of labor disputes with
various labor conferees. talking about
past actions in this regard.
The representatives OF the farmers
brought their fight into the meeting to-
day. They made 1t plain that they stood
ready. to oppose any programme. any
action or recommendation that will pass
the burden of prices on the farmers.
and that they will oppose anything that
luA
pense Of the farming community.
Against shorter Hours.
The farmer representatives made II
clear that the agricultural community
win in their judgment be seriously
dnmaged II industrial hours are
shortened any more, or II wages go up.
They take the view that there is no such
thing as longer hours or high pay on
the farm. and that IL all other labor
gets a short work day and high pay the
farms will be left without help, or that
farm wages must be jumped to an extent
that will make the present high cost of
living seem mild.
The employees group at the conference
is playing skilful politics. Under the
leadership of Samuel Gompers. president
of the american Federation OF Labor.
the labor delegation is absolutely solid
and has been playing a waiting game.
In every instance where It has been
suggested that something be offered tSe
conference for action. Mr.. Gompers has
made II plain that labor had formu-
lated nothing, but was prepared to meet
any suggestion.
This situation may he changed as a
result OF to-days adjournment. how
ever. The labor group at a short meet
ing prepared a programme. Just when
II Is to be submitted Is not known.
President Gompers said II would be put
In at the psychological moment, when
ever that arises.
The labor programme is conserva-
tive one, founded on the labor clause
in the peace treaty. and upon the
fundamentals on which the American
Federation has stood for years SO far
as could be learned II involves nothing
new or radical, but Is largely confined
to the principles of collective bargain
Ing. the right of organize tion, recognl-
ton OF the union and the federation. the
eight hour day and a living wage.
steel strike Leader There.
There Is little chance that the steel
strike situation will be Injected by the
labor element as an issue at the confer
ence. II has been intimated that labor
is willing to fight out the issue at the
steel mills. John Fitzpatrick. steel strike
leader, conferred with labor representa-
tives to-day. but II is understood they
met him as officers of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor rather than as delegates
to the conference.
Whether any progress will be made by
the conference tomorrow Il problemati-
cal. Under the rules. the matters brought
In by the group tomorrow will have to
be referred by the chairman to the gen
%
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