The Holbrook news., 1921-04-01
Meat Strike Rests in Conference of Packers, Union Chiefs and
 Government Officials.
RAIL BOARD HAS ITS PROBLEM
Congress Plans Early Consideration of Tariff and Tax Matters-Germany an Enioma-AIIies' Tariff Ex- pertinent Interestina-Dim
 Outlook of Peace in
 Ireland.
By E. F. cLIPsoN.

Hopes for a settlement without
 strike of the labor difficulties exist
 ng in the meat-packing industry, lodge in the mediation-arbitratiOn ef- forts of the United States government. Secretary of Labor Davis, although new to his position, has been brought quickly into a realization of its re- responsibilities. In order that he may get of OF the proper foot and show the people that he is the right man fin the right place, he is neglecting no effort to bring about an adjustment of the trouble which threatens one of the most important items of the na- tiOns good supply.
 Although the result of the strike ballot leaves no doubt that the em- ployees are in a mood to attempt a complete tieup and gives their repre- sentatives a powerful weapon in the mediation conference at Washington, there is a distinctly optimistic phase in the willingness shown by both sides to take part in that conference. It indicates desire for reasonable ad- justment, and the fact that the pro ceeding is occurring under such i'm portant government auspices, warrants assumption that it will be more readily productive of results than if left sim ply to negotiations between the pack CTS and their employees. In the latter event, with both sides thoroughly stiff necked, a strike would be the logical outcome. The affair has great portent as showing how the present ad- ministration proposes to deal with the larger phases of capital and labor strife, particularly as relating to the cost of living and the return to nor nal conditions.
 An important development of the controversy pointing to possible meth Ods of eliminating similar difficulties in the future, is the announced offer of some of the larger packers to demOcratize their plants. The pro- posal is to give employees a voice. in labor conditions by separating the plants into general divisions covering the principal products, matters of pro duction and mechanical departments, each division to be subdivided into voting precincts of about 300 em- ployees. The employees are to elect delegates to a divisional council which shall in turn choose delegates to a general plant conference board, while the company names an equal number of delegates to both board and councils.
 It is proposed that the board shall make recommendations on employ ment, wages, working conditions, safe ty, sanitation, recreation, transpOrta- ton and other matters of mutual interest. These recommendations when cOncurred in by a majority of the board are to be regarded as de cisions binding on plants affected. In the case of a tie, the matter may go to arbitration. Union labor officials denounce the plan. as one intended to deceive the employees, disrupt the unions and substitute a shop union controlled by the companies.
 The government railroad labor board has a problem in considering the great mass of data and in adjust ing present difficulties, and others sure to arise in the near future, between the railroads and their employees over announced reductions in wages. Ship pers and organizations representing the public are demanding a voice in the hearings. The big question is similar to the one agitating the pack ing industry, although no immediate