Evening star., 1921-03-21
PACKERS DISPUTE
OPENED BY UNION
Secretary Davis Hears First
Argument in Initial At
tempt to Mediate.

Spokesman for the packers EN-
ployes presented their side OF the dis
pute with their employers over wages
and working conditions at a confer
ence shortly before noon today with
Secretary Davis at the Department of
Labor. Secretary Davis met both
sides TO the controversy and then an
nounced he would call the conference
for O'Clock this afternoon. He saw
the representatives of the packers
employees separately. Secretaries
Hoover Of the Department OF Com
merce and Wallace Of the Department
OF Agriculture were invited to SIT with
the Labor Secretary at the conference
this afternoon.
The representatives Of the packers
were heard by Mr.. Davis last week.
and before going formally into the
matter in an effort to arrive at some
satisfactory adjustment. Mr.. Davis
gave the workers spokesInen an op-
portunity to present their case.
Secretary Davis said he planned to
call freely upon Secretaries Hoover
and Wallace for advice.
III question arises that relates to
conditions in Europe" he said. II
viii call upon Secretary Hoover's
knowledge Of those conditions. On
questions regarding the stock indus
advice"
Others Mt Conference.
Besides the three cabinet officers,
those attending the conference were
James l.. Condor and Carl Meyer. for
the packers: Dennis Lane and r. s.
Erennon. for the employees. and Hugh
L. kerwin. F. p. Marsh and Howell
Davis. members of the conciliation
DIVISION of the Department of Labor,
VINO participated in the extension in
1919 of the Alschuler agreement Of
ISl'. Representatives Of allied unions
atso attended the conference. among
them being ]. J. Brennan of the In
ternational Brotherhood of Firemen
ana oilers. George Orris Of the Inter-
national Carpenters Union, James p.
Woman. International brotherhood of
Electrical Workers: +. G.. Bolan, Inter-
national Brotherhood of Blacksmiti1s.
Drop Forgers and Helpers: Harry j.
Carr. international Association of Ma
cninists. and James A. CooIye. Intsrna-
tIonal Union of Steam and Opera ting
Engineers
Dennis Lane, secretary Of the Anal
gamated Order Of Meat Cutters and
butcneFS Worhnen Of North America
ana X y. Brennan. attorney for the
order, who arrived in Washington
Yesterday conferred with Samuel
tIompers. president Of the America n
Federation of Labor, last night.
Gompers Backs Emplsyes.
BEFORE going fnto conference Mr..
SoMpers said: TT goes without saw
ing that the packing unions viii have
the moral support Of the Amertnn
Federation of Labor The fact that
the representatives bring with them
vote showing the almost Unanimous
support Of their rank and file is an
added reason for their counting on
our support"
Mr.: Gompers did not indicate whether
the federation would go further than
to lend its moral support Any fur
tier action. it was said. would ressire
the vote of the executive council of
the federation. which could be taksa
by telegraph.
Neither Mr.. Gompers nor any men,
Der Of the delegation conferrink with
him last night would make a formal
statement regarding the situation.
This would have to wait. they agreed.
until after the meeting with SecTetary
Davis Result Of the meeting wzs
awaited with unusual interest in Of
fcaal circles as the first ATTEMPT Of
the new administr ration At medtation
in a labor dispute.