The Washington herald., 1920-11-17
LABOR CHIEFS
SEE HOOVER ON
us. SITUATION
Former Food Administrator
Accepts Invitation to
Aid Readjustment.
IN PRIVATE CAPACITY
Visit Follows Gompers' Wis
it to Engineers Confer
ence m New York.

Organized labors hrst step to-
ward coping with the present in
dustrial situation In America was
taken yesterday when Herbert c.
Hoover, at the invitation of Samuel
Gompers. conferred with the execu-
tive council of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor. Mr.. Hoover. ac-
companied by Robert B. Wolf, Of
New York, a distinguished engineer,
discussed Industrial affairs with the
labor leaders for several hours. but
declined to comment on the meeting
beyond acknowledging that the
"stabilization of production" was
the chief topic under consideration.
Mr.. Hoover came to Washington
as the result Of a recent conference
between Samuel Gompers and the
American Society of Mechanical En-
gineers- Mr.. Gompers addressed
members OF the society in New York
on November and at that time Sig
nified labor's willingness TO co-op-
crate with the scientists of indus
try in some method of eliminating
the Industrial faults and Ills that
make for unemployment and for in
termittent operation.
Conference Lasts Three Hours.
'T am present today in response
to an invitation by Mr.. Gompers to
give what advice and assistance !
can to aid American labor in the
trying period of readjustment
through which the nation is passing.
Il feel that the conference viii
- ~ 1f
suits. Certainly 1t has been en-
tightening to me. ! am here purely
in a private capacity, and do not
represent either employers OF Ia
Dor. but rather. hope, the great
mass of the American people who
wish to see industry stabilized and
continuous production assured.
Unemployment on Increase.
Mr. Gompsrs said that 1t is too
early 70 express an opinion on the
results of the conference- Unem-
ployment. he declared, Is rapidly on
!. the increese. dus In part |, y, sths.
closing OF factories by employers
who hope. by creating q shortage
OF jobs. to induce the workers 10
return for lower wages" The fed-
GRAFTON will oppose any wholesale
reduction in the wage scale, he
said.
Methods of "humanizing industry
and improving the relations be-
tween employers and labor" were
discussed at the conference by Rob-
ert B. Wolfe, vice president Of the
Association of Mechanical Engin-
sers and owner Of several large pa
per mills He declared that by rec
organizing the unions to which his
employees belonged, and discussing
all grievances with committees ap-
pointed from the unions, he had
succeeded in bringing about harmo-
nious relations and Increasing pro-
ductiveness at q time when many
employers were harassed with con-
tinuous labor trouble. An extsn-
sion Of his methods. he declared,
would do much toward stabilizing
industry and increasing output.
In addition to Mr.. Gompers and
Mr.. Hoover the meeting was at
tended by James Duncan, first vice
president; Joseph F. Valentine, sec
ond vice president; Frank Duffy.
third vice president; William
Green, fourth vice president; T. A.
Rickert. sixth vice president; Jacob
Fischer, seventh vice president. and
lent.
Between One and Two Millions Idle.
Department of Labor officials es-
hmated yesterday that between L.
Do0,oo0 and 100000 workers are
die.
The National Industrial Conferenc
Board, which represents the larger
employing. interests of the country.
asserts that there are plenty of jobs
20 be had but that workers prefer
unemployment to working at q
wage not up to their demands.
immigration was not discussed at
he labor conference. II was stated.
but IL was admitted by labor leaders
hat Congress will be petitioned to
hut on all foreign immigration for
year until the Industrial situation
n this country has becoms stabil-
zed-