The New York herald., 1921-03-10
HARDING URGED TO
BLOCK WAGE CUT
PLAN OF PACKERS
Message Asks Him to COM
pei Employers to Live Up
to Agreement.
GOMPERS'S AID SOUGHT
Labor Leader Requested to
Go to White House to
See President.
GOMPERS'S AID SOUGHT
CLEAR WAY FOR STRIKE
100000 Workers Affected,
but Vote Must Be Taken Be-
fore Walkout Is Called.

| OMAHA March 9.-President Har-
kding was appealed to tonight by rep
resentatives OF packing house EN-
ployees with request that he try TO
prevent a proposed reduction OF wages
and readjustment of working hours
which have been announced by meat
packers to become effective March IA.
| Samuel Gompers. president OF the
| American Federation of Labor, was
asked in another telegram 10 go 10 the
| White House as the direct representa-
tive OF the meat cutters union and
urge immediate action on the request.
He was asked also to call meeting
Monday IN Chicago of all allied unions
working for the packers, TO outline
concrete action In event OF strike.
Delegates to the conference here called
BY the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher Worltmen of North America
1 voted unanimously late to-day to ap-
| peal to the President in an attempt to
| forestall abrogation of the wartime
| agreement between the packers and
| their employees. The action of the dele
| gates, who represent workers In every
| large packing centre, aIletlS 5vp,VyV cili-
| ployees. union officials said.
The telegram TO the President asked
| him TO request tho packers to hold In
abeyance the wage and hour changes
, announced as effective Monday until the
Secretary Of Labor can investigate
charges contained in the message.
The conference also adopted resolu-
ton which requested the President TO "use
his good offices to compel the packers
to comply with the agreement entered
into by the Government and that unless
the packers consent he exercise his
power to place the packing house indus
try under Government control and oper-
alton and publicly brand the present
owners and managers OF the Industry a.
4 menace to the Government and society
In general.
strike warning appeared in the same
resolution which instructed tho union
officers TO take such action as will re-
suit in a unanimous and effective re-
sistance 10 q return to the ten-hour
work day. wage reductions and other
Larbaric conditions that existed prior TO
1917" unless President Harding sends
assurance, OF action. This resolution.
according TO Dennis Lane. Secretary
Treasurer OF the union. means authori-
zation for strike affecting all packing
house employees Of the United States
and Canada
The decision 10 appeal 10 Mr.. Harding
was made In a long session OF the execu-
tive board this afternoon. The recom-
nlendations immediately were placed be-
fore the delegates in general conference.
heated discussion followed in which
the proposed action of the packers in
reducing wages by approximately 10 per
cent. and making straight time" apply
for ten hours daily instead of eight, was
unanimously denounced.
The delegates were unanimously in
favor Of striking if the changes an
nounced by the packers are put into
effect. according to Mr.. Lane refer
endum vote viii be necessary, however.
before the strike order can be issued, lie
said.
During the war. the telegram con-
tinued. workers OF the packing plants
we're confronted with mounting living
costs. ana at the same time information
of the enormous profits OF the packers
was published broadcast.
I'm this national emergency the
telegram said. the employers showed