Omaha daily bee., 1921-03-13
Davis Will
Represent
Government
Employers Accept Offer of
Services of Labor Depart
ment to Avert Threat.
ened Strike.
Each Side to Name 2Men

Chicago, March 12.-Aiter an all
| day discussion by heads OF the
packing industry, telegram was
sent Secretary OF Labor Davis at
Washington accepting his suggestion
that they send two representatives
TO confer with him and two repre-
sentatives OF the employees regarding
the situation in the industry.
The telegram signed by Armour
& Co., said:
"Your message received. Will be
glad to follow your suggestion"
A statement given out said:
I'VE assume that the justice and
necessity of wage cuts will rot be
all issue. Nor can there justly be
an issue on the matter of hours"
Secretary Davis offer of personal
mediation in an effort to avert a
threatened strike also was accepted
by the union leaders, Dennis Lane OF
the Analgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher Workmen of North Amer
ica sending telegram to him, It
ut has always been and is, the
policy of our organization to CO.
operate with all governmental agen-
cles. We accept your tender Of
services to work out solution OF
the situation which has been brought
about by the deliberate and arbitrary
violation and reputation by the five
big packers, OF the agreement be-
tween your department. our and
other labor organizations and the
packers.
Suggest March Is.
I'VE note that you specify no date
for conference and we have informa-
ton that the packers contemplate
taking advantage of that fact. This
and the other organizations who are
parties to the agreement between
your department and the packers.
will arrange to select representatives
to attend q conference when you set
| a date. We suggest such confer
ence be held in Washington. March
49,"
The statement issued by the pack
ers does not mention the wartime ara
bitration agreement adopted Fcbru-
ary 20 and says regarding the an
nounced reduction of wages and re-
adjustment of working hours. that
except through such measures as
we have adopted the possibility of in
dustrial difficulties that might close
cur plants would stare you in the
face" 1t says:
"Ihe nations insistence on a re-
turn to normal and its refusal to
pay our war prices in peace times
has caused prices of our products to
drop to what are practically prewar
levels. This has forced the price OF
live stock down to a point which
threatens the existence OF the live
stock industry. Our own business
has been conducted at loss for two
years, but our operating expenses re-
mained at the wartime peak. Wage
reductions, therefore, are essential,
not only from the employers stand
point but from the standpoint of live
stock producers, who are having TO
bear with us the losses.
Wages Not an Issue.
"We assume that the justice and
necessity of wage cuts will not be
an issue Nor can there justly be
all issue on hours. These companies
are not responsible for the fuctua.
tions in live stock receipts-Huctua-
tons illustrated by the fact that on
some days there have been less than
900 cattle on the Chicago market,
while on other days there are 10000,
1t is obvious that work day of d.
definite number of hours cannot meet
such conditions. There are bound
to be days when employees will work
only few hours, just as there will
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