Evening star., 1921-03-22
MAY END PACKERS
WAGE DISCUSSION
Cabinet Members Consider
ing Dispute With Workers
Predict Agreement.

AS the cabinet assembled today to con-
slider the controversy between the meat
packers and their employees there were
reports that a tentative agreement was
being approached. One plan being con-
sidered was that the wage reductions
which went into effect yesterday should
stand; that the packers agree to extend
the Alschuler agreement providing for
settlement of differences by a perma-
nent arbitrator and that the eight hour
day be agreed upon subject to peculiar
conditions obtaining in the packing in
dustry.
Parties to the conferences which have
been conducted with Secretaries Davis,
Hoover and Wallace refused to dis
cuss the reports and cabinet officials
maintained their silence. 1t was said,
however, that prospect of a tentative
agreement had resulted from private
conferences held by the cabinet officers
last night with the packers representa-
tiveS and by Secretary Davis this morn
ing with the spokesmen for the workers.
Conciliators Called Upon.
Representatives of the packers en-
ployes were in private conference to-
day with Secretary Davis before the
The conference this morning fol-
lowed one last night at which Secre-
taries Davis, Hoover and Wallace
heard further argument by the
ciliators of the Department of Labor
were called in by the cabinet officers.
but only Secretary Davis met today
with the union officials.
The utmost secrecy has surrounded
the meetings thus far. None Of the
cabinet officers will say what progress
has been made and the representa-
tives of the workers and packers re-
main silent under Secretary Davis
injunction not to discuss what has
transpired.
Where COatroversy Centers.
The controversy is understood to
center largely around the wartime
conditions. which the employees claim
the packers now seek to break by
proposing a reduction In wages Of
from 12h to Is per cent. The en-
ployes say the agreement was to be
effective for one year after the war
ended. while the contention of the
packers is reported to be that the
war actually has ended and the agree
ment, therefore, is no longer in ef-
feet.
Mr.. Davis took much data regarding
the controversy to the cabinet meet
ing. On leaving for the White House
he said that he hoped to have some
good news" within a short time, but
refused to add to that statement.
The packers representatives. Carl
Meyer and James L. Condor, were un-
derstood to have finished stating
their case at o'clock yesterday, having
been interrupted by few questions from
the employees. Whether the greater
part of the remaining hour and a
half was consumed by the EMPLOYEES
in presenting their side was not in
dicated. None of the conferees would
indicate whether there was cause for
hope that the question at issue might
be adjusted and a strike iaverted.
Employees Heard Privately.
Secretary Davis heard the emploves'
side OF the controversy at II O'Clock.
after both sides had assembled and
the meeting had been adjourned until
= o'clock. The Labor. Secretary. in
granting private hearing to Dennis
Lane. secretary of the union. and
Redmond S. Brennan, their attorney
gave them the same privilege he had
previously given Messrs. Condor and
Meyer.
The full conference then BEGAN at
2 o'clock, with the three Cabinet
members, the two representatives. of
each side and the three mem
bers of the Labor Department
conciliation board present. Two Off
cial reporters worked in shifts TAX
ing the testimony.
SEES HVTCT0nS Anrna~o