New-York tribune., 1920-09-13
Italian Labor
Urges Control
Over Industry
Workers, in Conference al
Milan, Assert Employers
Must Acknowledge Rule
by the Mems Unions
Compromise Is Favored
Decisions Are Preceded bv
Stormy Session, i'm Which
Radicals Are Outvoted

|
MILAN, Sept. IA plenary meeting
OF oil the workmen's organizations was
| held last night to consider the indus-
trial upheaval which has come thronph
| the strike of the metal workers
throughout Italy. The Socialist Deputy
Daragona presented resolution in the
name of the General Confede ration of
Labor favoring a compromise. This
was adopted by majority of 100000
votes. The total representation present
was 1,0e4,O0O
"A Maximalist resolution, presented
by Deputy 'Ducco, in behalf Of the So
clalist party, was defeated. 1t had the
support of the Tuscan cooperative
workmen, whose organization only
lately Joined with the Socialists and ia
highly radical.
Daragona's resolution, which was
supported by the great federation of
peasants and textile workers in all
centers where the co6perativcs flourish.
as at Bologna, Ravenna. Mantua and
Ferrara, says that the dispute of the
metal workers cannot be solved now bv
simply settling the differences which
arose when the dispute began, and de-
clares:
For Control by Union
"To-day's historical moment renders
impossible hereafter the present rela-
,tions between masters and workmen,
and determines that the further direc-
tion OF the present movement be taken
over by the General Confederation Of
Labor, with the assistance of the So
clallst party. and that the aim of the
struggle be an acknowledgment on the
part of the masters of the principle
that their works shall be controlled by
the mems union"
The decisions at the meetings of the
workmon's organizations were PRE-
ceded by stormy discussion. in which
the efforts of Deputy Modigliani to
bring about an understanding or COM
promise between the Maximalsts and
the Confederation of Labor failed, al
effect discord between the leaders of
these two factions would have on the
masses.
Delegates Near Fight
At one time the tumult was so great
that somea of the delegates were obliged
to intervene to prevent fight, particu-
Daragona and the Confederation of
Labor, declaring that that organiza-
tons attitude was an attempt to crush
the direction of the Socialist party.
Gennari maintained that the metal
lurgic conflict had now assumed an en-
tirely political character, so that only
those in charge of the Socialist party
had a right to lead in the movement,
according to the priciples confirmed at
the last congress of the Third Inter
nationale-communism. with a prole-
tariat dictatorship and the proclama-
tion of a soviet republic.
cording to the view of the Confedera-
tion of Labor, "the soviet system can
not be transplanted into Italy, espe-
cially at the present moment when it
would mean famine and ruin" The
Italian masses were not yet ready for
n decisive experiment, he said.
Let me speak to you frankly" he
continued. "Voting the resolution of
the Confederation of Labor means ac-
ceptance of a program Of action, slow
but sure. not conflicting with the con-
quests Of civilization and leading ulti-
mately 20 the acquisition Of ali your
rights, without too violent shocks.
"lnstead, in approving of Gennari's
proof Of your Socialist conviction.
Doubts Outcome of Struggle
"But, mark my word, in so doing you
vote for the entry into the field Of the
entire proletariat against the bour-
geols system. 1t is permitted to doubt
the resui: of such great battle. It
is possible that defeat would mean the
destruction of our whole patient, tena-
cious work for the workmen's eman-
cipation, which has lasted dozen
years. My conscience as an honest
man and Socialist is satisfied by pre-
senting to you two solutions. If the
opposition resolution passes, the mem
bers of the Confederation of Labor are
ready to sacrifice their opinion after
the Assembly has demonstrated that