Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-01-01
ORGANIZED LABOR
STRIKES BACK
Suggestions of President Will.
sons Industrial Conference
Not FavOrably Received

Washington, Dec 23.--Suggestions Of tho
Presidents industrial conference for the
settlement of labor unrest drew fire to-
day from organized labor in the first of
the public discussions invited by the COM
mission In it's report. published to-day.
Samuel Gompers president of the Amer-
can Federation Of Labor said the failure
Of the conference to recognize definitely
the organizations OF workcrs--trade
unions-as the basis for representation
was fatal omission, while Frank Nor
rison. secretary of the federation, noting
the absence of reference by the conference
to collective bargaining or the necessity
for organizations of workers said anyone
who would avert or postpone industrial
conflicts. could not ignore these principles
| Mr. Gompers declared tho commission
should reconsider the question Of definite
make possble the confidence and CO.
operation of wage earncrs which can b.
expressed only through organizations Of
their own making"
! Any plan to establish or maintain any
thing like fair relations between workers
and employers must avoid compulsory
features" he declared. ANY proposal for
compulsory labor Is repugnant TO Ameri-
can sovereignty and citizenship"
Mr.. Morrison said the declaration
against government employees joining
the American Federation Of Labor
would indicate that the commission
has been affected by the temporary
wave Of anti unionism"
The statement" he added. offers
no hope TO lovers of industrial peace
who see tho necessity of abolishing au.
tocracy in industry and giving en-
| n hal
ing conditions.
1T Is no solution to empower the
President and a cabinet official to Sc
lect representatives of workers to ad.
Just disputes. The workers must have
this power themselves"
| Mr. Gompers. at the outset of his
statement. said that except for 1t,
opening declaration, he had fount
nothing new and little of interest
in the conference report.
Tn the opening statement" continued
Mr. Gompers, the report sets forth thu
right relationship between employer anc
employe in large industries can be pro
NOTED by the delibcrative organization o
that relationship. But the report fall
TO give definite recognition to the appi
cation Of this truth. Both employers ant
/, employees must he organized In order t,
become responsible parties to any systen
of mediation or arbitration otherwise tn
arbitration tribunal must deal with in
dividuals instead Of organized groups
The principle of representation depend
on organization.
| Any plan to establish or maintain any
. thing like fair relations between worker
and employers must avoid compulsor
| features. The mass Of Americas work
ers are American citizens and in tina
e. sovereign citizenship they are free mer
Any proposal for compulsory labor is re
puenant to American sovereignty an
| citizenship.
In order to promote constructive an
permanent changes that will eliminat
causes of much industrial unrest the con
ference should consider governments
agencies to provide the necessary infor
nation and assistance in securing cor
tinuous betterment Of working condition.
\ That problem must ultimately be worke
| out by employers and employees. but til
/ government should advise and assist.
1T should always be borne in min
that our social fabric is based mt
tuality and voluntary institutions.
/ 1T is something not yet fully under
u stood how perfectly safe freedom is