New-York tribune., 1921-01-05
Labor Portfolio
Gives Harding
Real Problem
Difficulty Encountered in
Selecting Man Who Will
Satisfy Both Unions and
Employers Organizations
Hoover Favors W. G.. Lee
Trainmen's Official to Sub
NIT Names of Candi-
dates to the BrOtherhOOds
From q S.ar CORRESPONDENT

MARION. Ohio, Jan. 4.-One Of
President-elect Harding's most trying
tasks is the selection of a Secretary
o. Labor who will be acceptable both
20 organized labor and to the employers
OF the country An appointment to
that post which could be received with
out anlmosity by either side, it is felt,
would go far toward avoiding a conflict
over the open shop which has been
freely forecast. The Senator had a
long conference about this appointment
to-day with W. n. Doak, vice-presi dent
of the Brotherhood of Railway Train
rien.
When Mr.. Doak departed this after
noon 1t was with the understanding
that he would return to Marion within
Il week. 1t is understood that he will
submit to the heals of the four broth
erhoods the names Of men Mr. Har-
these is John L. Lewis, head of the
United Mine Workers. The trainmen
want W. G. Lee, it is said, and there
is a possibility that he my be ap-
pointed. Lee is the president of the
Order of Railway Conductors.
In the opposition that has greeted
every name under consideration Sem
ator Harding. it is understood, has
encountered the old hatreds that burst
out when the last great steel strike
was called.
Harding's Plant Is Organized
Mr.. Doak expressed confidence that
Senator Harding was friendly to union
labor, and this confidence is justified
by the situation at The Marion Star,
the Pres ident- elects newspaper. Al
though Marion is an open shop town,
the mechanical force of The Star is
organized, and it WAS the encourage
ment of Senator Harding that led them
to organize In all his campaign
speeches he emphasized his friendlr-
ness toward organized labor, hut he
was boldly lnslstent that the unions
must do their part TO weed out labor
slackers
This feeling on the part Of Senator
Harding that the workman who is not
prepared to give dollars worth of
labor for dollar in wages should not
De given the protection OF his union is
an important factor in the work of
selecting a Secretary of Labor. Who
ever IS selected in the end probably
VIII be union labor leader, but he
Will be conservative. and John l..
Lewis answers the description.
Herbert Hoover, it is understood, de-
ciiheu tnlS appointment and recon-
mended ". &. Lee.
Grosscup Called Into Conference
Peter S. Grosscup, former judge of
the Circuit Court of Appeals for the
Seventh Circuit, but since 1911 engaged
IN the practice Of law, discussed both
international and domestic questions
with Senator Harding day at the
latter's invitation. Speaking Of the
Senator'S international program, he
said:
The .postulate that Senator Harding
has laid down seems to be such as will
eventuate in helpful and useful asso-
citation of nations. The details must
be worked out later
Il have been in favor Of an associa-
ton Of nations that would leave with
the governments the final power of de-
cisions in all questions coming up for
action. | do not like the idea of a
surrender of the final word to any or
eanization aside from the governments
themselves"