The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-16
LABOR C0NSULTS
HERBERT HOOVER
ON ITS PROBLEMS
Former Food Chief Makes
Continental Trip to
Discuss "Whole Industrial
and Employment Situation"

n
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1e.-Ques-
tons of industrial beace and related
problems were discussed today at
conference between leaders of or
ganized labor and Herbert Hoover.
former federal food administration
and member of President Wilson's
second Sndustrial conference.
Mr., Hoover who came to the con-
ference of the executive council OF
the American Federation of Labor at
the request of President Gompers,
said he had made the transcontinental
trip from San Francisco to discuss
the whole Industrial and employ
ment situation"
Mr.. Hoover said he had no definite
program to Offer ibut that he ex-
pected ito advise and discuss with
the labor officials on general condi-
tons.
Differences appeared among mem
bers of the council as to the real pur-
pose of Mr.. Hooyer's appearance.
Prior to Mr.. Hoover's arrival. Will.
liam Green, secretary of the United
Mine Workers, declared the council
would not go to any person to dis
euss the subject OF industrial peace.
4 AlC SSlA0 4nIs I1OONGI Ildu tDIIlC lOE ii
| discussion of technical engineering
questions, the, nature of which he
did not disclose.
When Mr.. Hoover entered the
council room, he had with him a shear
of data to which he expected to refer
in the discussion. This data was un-
derstood to include the results OF
scientific investigation and research
Tn questions of production.
While federation of labor officials
were reticent about the subjects to
oone before the council today it was
indicated that Mr.. Hoover would be
asked to discuss, means of reducing
waste in production This wac li-o-
derstood 10 include discussions of the
auctions both from the labor and
management viewroint
Labor Blames Management. (
Labor. leaders, while admitting that
there are evils in the labor situation
| causing some production waste, are
prone to place the blame, if any att
tached. to inefficient management.
| They coRtend that many difficulties
land controversies between labor and
! it's employers have had their incep-
ton in Inefficient subordinate plant
officials. e Ay
Mr.. Hoover was expected to be
| asked his opinion on this phase OF
conditions and whether he could Of
fer q program which would result in
an increase in production through
| correction OF the alleged evils.
| Organsz eds labor is1e IA sfer tths
coming year rs being afnaned at the
meetings ~ the executive council.
| Officials of the federation attending
| the sessions, all of which are eXecu-
! tive. outline labor's reconstruction
policy as follows,
Repeal Of existing laws and oppo-
| sition to proposed laws requiring
| compulsory arbitration of industrial
| disputes. I
Opposition to laws restricting the
right of workers to quit work.
Enactment of legislation placing
drastic restrictions upon immigra-
| ton from all parts of the world with
the most rigid control of that from
Central nd|Southeastern Europe.
An intensive campaign of Amerl-
canization to counterfeit the influ-
| encf of political theories not in har-
mohy with the principles underlying
the government of the United
| States.
AL owance for Depreciation.
Frank Morrisop, secretary of the
| fodarationS declared that organized
labor would insist that Athe present
5 an ards of living and working con-
ditions be not reduced and that
| wages be maintained upon at least
the level Of 1914 with due allowance
made for the decreased purchasing
power of the dollar, which govern
ment figures; he said, shows to be
more than 100 per cent.
| Mr.. Morrison said the American
Federation of Labor did not support
any political party in the last cleo
ton and consequently the result of
| the election did not mean that the
forces of organized labor had been
routed.
Mathew Vol, vice-president of
| the federation, declared that certain
employers were interpreting the re-
suit of the election as a license to
disregard the interests of labor, but
added that he felt confident that the
American people ultimately would be
found on the side of justice in any
controversy.