Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-01-02
LABOR COMBATS
ANTI-STRIKE ACT
Also Demands United States
Rule Roads Two Years
More.
G0NPERS EXPLAINS MEETING
American Federation OF Labor and
Rail Unions Join IN a Finish Fight
Daniel Willard Calls on
labor Leader.

Washington, Dee. 3I- Organised la-
bor united here 10 direct in unselent-
inc fight against return Of tile rail-
roads 20 their owners March / and. If
that cannot be averted at this time, to
prevent enactment OF railroad legisIa.
tion which win include anu-strike pro-
visions and penalties against workers
who cease their employment.
. The American Federation of Labor.
the four railroad brotherhoods and the
ten railroad shopmen's unions afliliat-
ed with the American Federation Of
Labor joined in the declaration of war
and issued statement asserting them,
selves in favor of two-year extension
of government control of the railroads
In order that government ownership
might have a fair test.
The action was taken at a confer
ence called by Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent OF the American Federation Of
Labor, who presided. Frank Morrison,
secretary of the federation. also at
tended together with 10 officials Of the
various railroad organizations
An unusual circumstance during the
conference was the arrival at the
American Federation of Labor head
quarters of Daniel Willard. president
of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.
His coming apparently Yves unex-
pected.
MIR. Willard was ushered into MIR.
ss@.npers' private office and the fed
GRAFTON president was sent for. He
Immediately left the conference and
was in conference with Mr.. Willard
for nearly an hour.
Neither would discuss the subject of
their talk. although 1t was inferred
that It had to do with the important
subject of railroad legislation. in
which both are vitality Interested.
Mr.. Gompers' statement at the close
of the conference was as follows:
son Friday last number of repre-
sentatives of the railroad organiza-
tions, both shopmen and those I'm train
service. met in my office, and we dis
cussed railroad legislation. | issued
in invitation TO the executives of the
ten shopmen's organizations affiliated
with the American Federation Of La
Dor and the four railroad brother
hoods, asking them to meet me here
today. We began our meeting at three
O'Clock and adjourned shortly after
eight.
''The entire time of the conference
was taken up with discussion of the
parliamentary situation of the railroad
bills in congress.
"We reached these conclusions:
''I'hat IL IS the sense OF the confer
enee that control of the railroads by
the government of the United States
should be extended for period Of not
less than two years. In order that a
proper test might be made as To gov
ernment control.
'"That such a test has not been given
fair opportunity during war times or
since then.
That this conference is opposed to
legislation making strikes of workers
unlawful.
''That 1t is the sense Of the confer
ence that penalty clauses In pending
legislation on the railroads against
workers ceasing their employment
should be eliminated.
"I'hat this conference favors the en-
actment Of the beneficial features Of
the railroad bills which tend to estab-
Iish better relations between the en-
ployees and the carriers. and that these
beneficial clauses should be extended
to the sleeping car and Pullman COM
pany employees"
Washington. Dec. s0.-The creation
of national industrial tribunal and
regional board Of inquiry and adjust
rnent for the settlement OF all disputes
between labor and capital is the chief
recommendation in the preliminary re-
port Of President Wilson's second in
dustrial conference.
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