New-York tribune., 1921-05-06
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i'bitrate M are.
Cut, Says Chief
Gompers Opens Meeting
q. F. of L. President Pre-
diets Fight for The Open
Shop Will Be Failure

Hutcheson, president of she United
6totAerhood Of Carpenters and Join
eYss announced tonight that virtually
AL tho building trades unions in the
country were willing to arbitratc the
Z question. Of wage cuts. Any readjust-
ment Of wages by an impartial tri-
Ruuaa commensurate with the drop in
living costs would be acceptable, he
said, and il this basis were agreed
upon by the employers the building
strikes in leading cities could quickly
be settled.
Mr.. Hutcheson, who participated in a
conference to-day of heads of the
American Federation of Labor. said
that the Carpenters Union would not
arbitrate questions of working condi-
ations or of jurisdiction.
Samuel Gompers, president, and
ether officials Of the Federation and
heads of labor organizations opened a
ten-day conference here to discuss
problems that will come up at the Fed
eration's annual meeting, June 13, in
Denver.
To Fight Open Shop
Among the first of the issues taken
mp by the Federation heads was the
open shop movement. The executive
council plans to continue the drive
against the "open shop" and the
american plan" Mr.. Gompers, COM
establish a nationwide open shop,
said: They'll have fine time
doing i'll"
The executive council, at it's meet
ings here, will receive report from
Mr Gompers on legislation affecting
organized labor. This report, which is
+ of considerable length, will deal with
past legislation and that. now pending
In Congress.
Plans for the nationwide anti-injunc-
sion fight are also to be considered.
This matter will be brought up in an
appeal from the Central Trades and
Labor Council of New York, which has
asked the executive council to aid it's
campaign already under way in New
York State.
Repeal of the Kansas Industrial Court
law and compulsory arbitration legis-
lation in other states, it is expected.
will also be urged by the council.
y While the council will discuss the
entire labor situation, including the
marine strike, the printers strike
ciothing workers strike and the build
s ing trades walk-outs and lock-outs. no
action will be taken unless the inter-
ested unions appeal for the Federation's
support.
Other Problems
Besides the large amount of routine
matters and jurisdiction disputes the
council also will consider the follow.
ing:
The unemployment problem.
Questions pertaining to the settle
ment of the railroad situation and the
tight OF the workers for national boards
of adjustment
Retail prices and wage reductions
and the attitede of the Harding Ad-
xninistratioi toward the same.
Mr.. Gompers said the open shop at
tack of employers on organized labor
will not prove really dangerous.
The. open shop fight already has
reached its greatest strength and has
begun to Decline" said Mr.. Gompers.
What employers call their open shop
policy really is not an open shop
policy at alla
"Organized labor will emerge VIC
torious and triumphant from the strug-
gle which an organized conspiracy of
capital all over the country aimed at it
this winter said Secretary Morrison.
There is vast conspiracy among
employers to give organized labor its
death blow. Capital believes the pres
ent business situation is the opportune
moment to gain the ascendancy over
labor and maintain it for years to
come. So far, though, employers have
not made a: dent in the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. The best method
that can be adopted by labor to fight
the attacks of capital is maintenance
Of united and determined front. If
labor allows it's formation to be broken
the work of years will be undone"
Mr.. Morrison predicted the battle
now on between printers and their en-
ployers in different cities for the
forty-four-hour week will result in VIC
tory for the union. He apparently was
not disturbed by the situation in the
steel industry.
Sooner or later, but probably
sooner, we will organize the steel work.
ers strongly" he said. "Of course,
they accepted 20 per cent wage re-
duction. They had to, because they are
not organized now, and it is a case Of
every man fighting for bread"
100000 Unemployed
stimulating of legislation for the be-
ginning of big public works as the
best means of meeting the unemployed
situation is occupying great deal Of
attention by the Federation, said Mr.,
Morrison.
He estimated that there are now
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