Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-12-18
LABOR FRAMING !.
FOR LEGISLATION
Leaders In Conference With
Several Members :
ofCongress
BLOW TO CLOSED SHOP
PoindeXter !Antistrike Bill to be First
Object Of Attack-Fcrmal State
mcnt Issued

Washington, Dec. l8.-Steps to Of
fer stiff opposition to further attacks
in Congress on organized labor we're
reported to have been considered yes
terday at a meeting between members
Of Congress and representatives OF
organized labor. One of the first OBJ
ccts sought is defeat Of the PoindeX-
ter Antistrilie bill. which slipped
through the Senate yesterday, but
held up by Senator La Folet-e's SUD
equent notice of motion TO recon
sider
Senator Frances. Of MarylanG was
among those who attended the meet
ing yesterday. Among others present
were Senator La Follette,> Walsh, CT
Massachusetts, and Norris, ,'of Nebra-
ska. The meeting was held in the Of
flee of William Johnston, president
OF the international Machinists'
Union. In addition to Johnston. Ia
bor'S representatives inchfied W. q.
Lee, of the Brotherhood of Railroad
Tra;nmen, and w. S. Garter. of the
Brotherhood of FiEemen.
In the discussion of the Pcindexter
Bill it developed that labor leaders re
gard the fight for the PoinaeXter bill
as part of nationwide movement to
establish the open shop throughout
the country. They link the sentiment
= in Washington against strikes with
such. developments as the testimony
of President Grace, Of the Bethlehem
|Corporaticn, that his concern has re-
fused to sell fabricated steel to con-
Germs employing ur.ion men.
The fight against the moEsment
for the open SHOP. the labor people oe
,;cve will have support from some
members of Congress. who believe IN
the open shop. principle. The reason
1 for Nthis belief of the labor leaders IS
that they hold the present activity
i for the open shop TO be in effect a
drive against unionism in any form
not merely insistence upon the right
Of !: nonunisn laborer to get a job.
After the conference yesterday II
Johrston's office he gave out state.
,naDt in which he said, in part:
sThe conference grew ouE> of: he
fact that the leaders of the railroad
labor organizations were meeting &c
this time in Washington TO discuss
various l~o:'cms "nd the Ga" w%s
a>aent 10 be opportune for SeHcr>l
discussion cf the entire leeis sil-'" u
,c.,an
~, The course Of the discuss = ',g
eas ti,ns /p,re made by sevecGl ~
those present that bureau Of iegls-
la,ive information should be establish
ed to act with the liberal members OF
the Hcuse=and Senate. This sugges-
ton was emphasized BY, the passage
of the Pcindexter bin prohibiting
strikes in interstate commerce be
cause opponents of this: measure had
not been properly warned that It was
t. be taken up by the Senate. :.
mo definite action was taken by
tht conference, but it was agreed that
later meetings would be held at which
pans for bringing about better CO.
ordination cf the liberal forces q
the country wath their representa-
lives in the House and Senate would
he formulated. AS soon as anything of
concrete character has been agreed
upon BY the conference announc 'rsn:
will be made in due course. together
with the names of those presan
Senator Francs when asked sboui
the meeting, said:
1T was a private gatheria:s, and
ar, rot at liberty to discuss what wa:
CO, dered However, feel free t
say that the purpose of ths meeting
was not to arrange opposition'to spe
cifc legislation against organized Ia
tor. MI TO consider future Es2ls'a1ff:
in which al liberals are shtaIes5ed.'
"war m, poinaexrar e:1l e:1lE cSrssss>r -
ei?"
IT s1s - on vle s--tog;.s:. :, K,
cons s;deraticn. but was naeptioned' N
ciGantaaly."