The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-18
Foster and Fitzpatrick Are
Shifted in New Move to
Win Steel Workers.
SEE MENACE IN ALIENS
A. f. of L. Officers Favor
Check on immigration .as
Jobs Get Scarcer.
CAPITALS AID Is SOUGHT
Cooperation in Effort to Re-
lieve Growing Unempl0y-
ment Is Desired.
CAPITALS AID IS SOUGHT
sn the Assoeiated Press.


to eliminate radicalism from any con-
troll in organized labor and to meet
the menace of increasing unemploy
ment are being taken by the American
Federation of Labor through its ex-
ecutive council in session here.
Already decisive victory over radi-
cal elements within the organization
has been achieved at one point, and
the far reaching nature Of the con-
ferences of the council for a week.
dealing with the economic problems,
appeared tonight to foreshadow some
action looking to closer cooperation
between labor and capital to meet un-
employment.
Conservative leaders in the fedora
tion have pounded away on the radical
question for several months, insisting
on q more determined stand by the
controlling body, but reports of In
creasing Unemployment have now
brought that subject into position of
equal Importance.
Although leaders were reticent to-day
" developed that certain members of the
council felt It should deal emphatlcally
with radicals attempting to bore from
within. They believe conservatism must
characterize labor's leadership.
Radicals Dangers Outlined.
This sentiment was based on two
premses--irst, that organized labor
cannot hope to exer. great power in en-
cuIng years If its foundations are weak
ened by the permeation of certain radical
doctrines and, second, that the next Ad-
ministration Will be conservative. AS TO
he latter. It was said In some quarters,
labor could gain little from the new Con-
eress unless it established conservative
policies.
In the reorganizat .on of the committee
TO unionlze the steel workers the con-
seryatlve element showed its strength.
IT eliminated from the committee John
J Fitzpatrick, chairman. and William z.
Foster. secretary, both of whom partici-
pated in the direction of the steel strike
'ast winter. around which clustered inti-
mated and outspoken radicalism. They
were replaced resp. ctively b. NJ. f..
iighe recognized conservativ" In labor
policies. and J. q. Brown, also a con-
servatve.
samuel Gompers. president OF the fed
Grafton. has declared against .he unre-
stricted admission of radicals from Eu-
rome. and the federation itself is having
no intercourse with radical foreign labor
groups Federation leaders expect to go
before Congress committees at every OPP
portunity to check the rush Of inrni-
grants from radical sections Of Europe
and Asia. Increased restrictions will be
urged.
Immigration also mas bearing on the
question of unemployment, recognized by
labor TO be increasing rapidly. Tho
.,tuation was characterized BY several
'abor officials as somewhat alarming.
Continued admission of immigrants,
thousands of whom are without skill or
trade. was regarded as only adding fuel
to the fire.
Decrease in Employment.
The Department of Labor made pub
lie statistics showing that in October
there were decreases in the number OF
employees in ten industrial plants as
compared with October IA year ago. while
only four plants had enlarged payrolls.
officials accepted the figures as indi-
eating the trend.
II was declared that the real reduc-
tions In employees. particularly In the
textile industry. had become of Inn
portance only this autumn and Govern
ment reports were said to indicate
further decreases.
There was no indication as to labor's
olans TO reach common ground with
capital regarding radicals. IL may be.
however. that pressure will be exerted
by refusing sanction to radicals strikes
unless grounds are uncompromising. II
was regarded as certain that employees
and employers would get together on
specific problems.
Speakers IN the executive council con-
ferences continue to blame capital for
sutocratic and. in some cases. Inefficient
,nanr cement The council was described.
however as proceeding toward the es-
tnbIishmont of policy which employers
might indorse should unemployment
compel labor 10 ask for Jobs rather than
oak what the employer viii pay.
Tse number Of men and women with
out work was said 10 point to fewer con-
iroyersies between labor and capital this
winter. Government data reported an
evident desire among more workers 10
,,-,...-, their places on the payroll