The Washington herald., 1921-10-11
Labor Group Likely to
Bolt If Conference
Urges Wage Cut.
LEADERS FAVOR
MIDDLE COURSE
Northwest SKIS Funds
To Aid Reclamation
Projects.

ment conference now faces a dilem-
ma in the issue of wage readjust-
meut
Although the majority OF business
men and manufacturers In the
conference are faVorably inclined
toward the belief that wages must
come down to increase employment
and reduce prices. the labor group Is
unalterably. opposed to such meas
ures.
There is no doubt that the confef-
ence subcommittee would like to
bring in recommendations for such
reduction. and it is no less doubtful
that the labor delegates would bolt
If such recommendations were
brought in.
Middle Ground Favored.
Leaders. therefore. advocate a
middle ground to keep all clements
in harmony. The conference may
go on record for freight rate reduc-
ton and repeal of certain "nuis-
ance" taxes. but on the suggested
repeal of the Adamson eight-hour
law apd wage reductions will clothe
its language carefully. Broad sug-
gestions, however, will probably be
given out for public inspection and
opinion in open hearings to be held
during the week.
With the convening OF the gem
eral session. today. 1t is expected
tnat the recommendation on wage
reductions. now being prepared by
the manufacturers committee. Of
which Samuel Gompers is a member,
will reflect the middle ground.
Must Aid Unemployed.
The chief aim of the conference,
according to Secretary Hoover. is to
take care of the unemployed dur
ing the coming winter. and any
drastic measures which would cause
the labor group to bolt might de-
stroy the function os the conference
as an immediate remedy.
With the several committees de-
Iiberating all day yesterday, a fairly
comprehensive preliminary report
may be expected at the general ses-
sion today.
The only public meeting vester-
day was that of the public works
committee. with Mayor Andrew j.
Peters. of Boston. presiding Rec
concentrations were made by repre-
sentatives of the Northwestern
states for increased appropriations
for reclamation purposes. II beinS
pointed out by James S. Gibson. OF
Seattle. Wash. that the active
prosecution of Federal reclamation
projects now under way would ab-
sorb a large part of the unempioy-
ment in the cities of the Northwest
Could Employ $4,000.
Ottoman Hamerle. Acting Direc-
tor of the Reclamation Service
stated that $4,000. 600 could be eco
nomically spent during the winter
on irrigation projects already un-
der way in seven States. which
would give employment to 16.OOC
men directly and as many more in
directly. if a loan to the reclama
ton fund were authorized by Con-
gress. He stated that the engineer
ing plans were complete in all these
matters.
Mr. Hamerle also stated that $685.
| 900, 900 additional could be immedi'
ately expended on the Boulder Can
Won Dam, California All-Americar
| Canal and the Arizona, Parker ant
San carlos projects if a loan were
made to the fund. These projects
would employ between $4,000 and
. 70. 900 men on the work itself and
indirectly 10000 to $4,000 more. The
Reclamati ton Service thus could EN-
ploy $4,000 men directly and indI'
rectly an additional $4,000, If ap'
Dropriations were available.
John b. Andrews, of the econmiC
advisory committee, cited Canadian
LEGISLATION under which 26.00O for
mer service men have been settled
on the land through goverpmenta
loans secured by a chattel rpertgag'
on the lands. the total Canadian ex
penditure being about $S5. 900.
New Committees Named.
The following additional commit
tees have been named:
Foreign Trade-Joseph H. De
Frees. of Chicago, chairman; Pau
A. Palmerton, of Washington, D. c.
executive secretary; Julius H
Barnes, Duluth. Mimi; William NJ
Butler, Boston; John H. Fahey, Bos
ton; Benjamin Strong, New York
George McFadden, Philadelphia.
Agriculture-Raym A. Pear
son, of Ames, Iowa. chairman; W. L
Burdick, Fargo. n. OAK; John H
Kirby, Houston, Tex; Clyde 1
King, Philadelphia.
Publications-Miss Mary Va,
Kleeck, of New York, chairman
Samuel McCune Lindsay. New York
william M Leiserson. Rochester
n. Y; Miss Ida NJ. ParbeI, New
| yorly. Col Arthur Woods Ne1u vori,