Arizona republican., 1920-11-17
Executive Council of A. F. of L. Confers With Noted Engineer on Economic Problems of Country
SAYS DEPRESSION
 ONLY TEMPORARY
Makes No Forecast But States Present Economic Conditions Partof Change From War to Peace
Republican A. p. Leased Wire)


 WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 - Herbert Hoover, former food administrator, was called into conference today by the executive council of the American Federation of Labor as it continued a face to-f face discussion of economic and industrial conditions, presumably for the purpose of framing policy to be followed by the federation in legis- lation which it will urge on congress.
 Mir. Hoover was invited to the meet ing, it was explained, because of his wide knowledge of economic and in- dustrial conditions in America. It was indicated also. that the council desired and had obtained from him data which eminent engineers have gathered on questions pertaining to or affecting labor.
 Members who were in the council meeting behind closed doors were dis inclined to talk of the discussions There was evidence. however, that Mir Hoover's views did not place all blame for conditions now confronting labor on employers. Much data has been gathered by the federation with re- spect to economic conditions through out the country. It is known, also. that during today's conference some members of the council. while holding employers largely responsible for the present conditions. admitted that in- dividual and groups of workers had not played fair" in some instances MT. Hoover was understood to have told the conference that labor must do its share in the elimination of in- dustrial faults and ills which make for unemployment.
 Unemployment Taken Up
 Council members said they had been deeply interested in Mir Hoover's dis cussion of existing conditions because of it's bearing upon the federation's search for methods which will avoid intermittent operation of industry and consequent unemployment It Is un- derstood Mir. Hoover was told that labor leaders regarded the action of some employers in closing plants or operating on part time as little short of social crime"
 With this view however, the former food administrator was said not to have agreed, explaining to the council that he believed other conditions af- fected plant operation more than the labor leaders realized. He pointed to credit conditions. the slackening of foreign as well as domestic demand and certain other related causes, it was understood
 As to the future outlook MT. Hoover made no forecast. He did say how ever that he believed the existing eco- homie depression was one of a tenn porary nature and that it constituted a part of the period of transition from war to peace conditions.
 Economic Depression Temporary
 Among labor leaders there was a suggestion that the changing condi- tions of which Mir. Hoover spoke would necessitate changed policies on the part of organized workers and particularly of the federation. They indicated that they were attempting to arrive at new conclusions and reshape their policies through the study os economic and in dustrial conditions confronting them as well as the employers
 It developed today that a number of important conferences between labor officials and engineers and economists were held in various parts of the coun- try during the fall. The federation has been assembling information thus ob- tained for the study now in progress.
 President Gompers is understood to have said to his associates that greater consideration and better understanding must be accorded the human element" in production if output is to be in- creased and waste eliminated. His views also were understood to have in dicated strongly the belief that better cooperation must be attained between organized labor and engineers, holding that the engineers know that organf- zation and cooperation is necessary fin order to utilize power-human or ma ! terial.
 The council probably will continue it's discussions for several days al though it was not believed any other persons would be asked to meet with it