Norwich bulletin., 1920-11-17
Hoover COnferS With
 Labor Committee
Discussed Economic and h. dustrial Conditions With A. F. of L. Executives.

Washington, Nov. 16.-(By the A. P.) --Herbert Hoover was called into confer ence by the executive council of the American Federation of Labor as it con- tinued a discussion of economic and in dustrial conditions presumably for the purpose of framing policy to be follow ed by the federation ll legislation which it will urge on congress.
 MT Hoover was invited to the meeting,
 it was explained, becd Ise of hls wide knowledge of economic and industrial conditions in -Elerica. It was indicated also that the council desired and had ob- tained from him data which eminent en- gineers have gathered on questions per taining to or affecting labor.
 Members who were in the council meeting behind closed doors were disin- clined to talk of the discussions. There was evidence, however, that Mir. Hoover s views did not place all blame for condi- tons now confronting labor on employ CTS.
 Much data has been gathered by the federation with respect to economic con ditions throughout the country. It is known also that during today's confer ence some members of the council, while holding employers largely responsible foI present conditions, admitted that individ' uals and even groups of workers had not played fair in some instances. MT Hoover was understood to have told tho conference that labor must do it's share iI 1 the elimna,. Cf industrial faults and il which make or unemployment. | It developed today that a number O. | important conferences between labor of | ficials and engineers and economists wer, held in various parts of the country dur | ing the fall. The federation has been as
 sembling information thus obtained fo | the study now in progress.
 | Council members said they had beel deeply interested in MT. Hoovers's dis 1 cussion of existing conditions because o
 it's bearings on the federation's searc | for methods which vii; avold intermitten
 operation of industry and consequent un l employment. It is understood A.r. Hoove
 was told by labor leaders regarded the ac ton of some employers in closing plants o operating on part time as little short 0 a social crime
 With this view however, the former ad ministrator was said not to have agreed | explaining to the council that he believe
 other conditions affected plant operatio
 more than the labor leaders realized. H
 pointed out to creditconditions, tha slack ening of foreign as well as domestic dc
 mand and certain other related cause
 it was understood.
  made no forecast He did say, howeve : that he believed the existing economic d. pression was one of a temporary natu1 and that it constituted a part of the pt
 riod of transition from war to peace COT
 diions
 Among labor leaders here was sus gestions that the changing conditions s which [. Hoover spoke would necess 'sfs ts. Fe c1faffged polfcfes op the part of O ganized workers and particularly of II federation. They indicated that the were attempting to arrive at new col . clusions and re-shape their polio, through the study of economic and indu
 trial conditions confronting them as Ze as the employers. I President Gompers is understood z have said to his associates that greatt . consideration a:d better unde <>lnt ., ing must be accorded the human Hi ment" in production, if output is to ! increased and waste eliminated. Hs , views also were Understood to have il
 dicated strongly the belief that bet, r cooperation must be attained betwee Q organized labor and engineers, holdm
 that the engineers know that organizi
 tion and cooperation is necessary in O Q der to utilize power-human or materis The council will probably continue i 1 discussions for several days more.