The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-17
Labor Partly to Blame.

Members who were in the council
meeting behind closed doors were disin-
cined to talk Of the discussions. There
vas evidence. however. that Mr. Hooyer's
views did not place I'll blame for condi-
tons now confronting labor on en-
yloyers.
Much data have been gathered by tho
federation with respect TO economic con-
citions throughout the country. Il s.
Fnown also that during the conference
come members OF the council. while hold
ng employers largely responsible for
present conditions. admitted that indi-
Tidual and even groups Of workers had
not played fair" in some instances
Mr.. Hoover was understood TO nave told
fhe conference that labor must do its
share in the elimination of Industrial
faults and Ills which make for unem-
ployment.
Council members said they had been
deeply interested in Mr. Hoover's dis
cussion of existing conditions because Of
It's bearing on the federation's search
for methods which will AVOID inter-
mittent operation Of industry and conse-
quent unemployment 1t Is understood
Mr.. Hoover was told that labor leaders
regarded the action OF some employers
N closing plants or operating on part
time as little short Of social crime
with this view. however. the former
Food Administrator was said not 70
have agreed. explaining 10 the council
that he believed other conditions affected
plant operation more than the labor
leaders realized. He pointed 70 credit
conditions. the siackening OF foreign as
well as domestic demand. and certain
othcr related causes. Il was understood.
Thinks Depression Temporary.
As 10 the outlook Mr.. Hoover said all
most nothing lie dia say, however. that he
believed the existing economic depression
was one OF a temporary nature and that
u constituted part Of the period OF
transition from war 20 peace conditions.
Among labor leaders there was sug-
gestion that the changing conditions
Of which Mr.. Hoover spoke would neces-
state changed policies on the part OF
organized workers. and particularly OF
the fedora ton They indicated that
they were attempting 20 arrive at new
conclusions and reshape their policy
through the study OF economic and in
dustrial conditions confronting them as
well as the employers
It developed to-day that q number OF
important conferences between labor or
dcials and engineers and economists
were held In various parts of the coun-
try during the fall The federation has
been assembling Information thus OBJ
tained for the study now In progress.
President Gompcrs is understood 20
have said 90 his associates that greater
consideration and q better understand
ng must be accorded the human ele-
mcnt in production II output Ia 70 be
Increased and waste eliminated, His
views also were understood 20 have In
dicated strongly the belief that better
cooperation must be attained between
organized labor and engineers. holding
that the engineers know that organiza-
ton and cooperation is necessary in or
der % utilize power--human or material
New Policy II Outlined.
The council probably will continue its
discussions for several days more, all
though Il was not believed any other
persons would be asked % meet with IT,
Labor's programme for the comlnz
year Is being framed NJ the meetings of
the Executive Council officials of the