The Washington herald., 1921-03-12
-
Asks Employees and Pack
ers to Join u. s. in Set
Ting Wage Dispute.
PAY CUT, LONGER
HOURS MONDAY
Both Sides Requested to
Appoint Two Mediation
Representatives.
ny ARTHUR SEARS HENNINe.

ny ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
In an ,endeavor 10 avert the
threatened strike Of packing house
employees. President Harding last
night ssked the employees and en-
ployers to join with the Department
Of Labor in settling the dispute over
the reduction OF wages and length
enIng OF hours to be put into effect
by the packers next Monday.
After q conference with the Presi-
dent. in which the plan Of action
was evolved. Secretary Of Labor
Davis sent Identical kilograms 20
the packers and Secretary Lane Of
the Meat Cutters Union, requesting
that each side appoint two repre-
sentstives TO assist the Department
Of Labor in making an Investigation
such as would promote a peaceful
settlement OF the controversy.
The telegram addressed TO the
Armour, Swift, Morris. Wilson and
=.
The Federal government is deep
ly concerned about the Maintain
ance of industrial activities, in full
est understanding. and hopes there
will be no Interruption Of the con-
tinuity Of employment In the great
packing industry. II the Depart
ment of Labor can be helpful in
promoting understanding ana can
a - -.
tion Of operations, such services bx
this department will be given most
gladly.
Dsvis Studies Prsbiena
The whole problem OF Industrial
readjustment is OF such Widespread
public concern that the Department
OF Labor, with the knowledge Of the
Departments Of Agriculture and
Commerce. requests that two rep
resentAtives OF the employing pack
ers VIII report 70 this department
to make possible such Inquiry into
the situation as may prove helpful
in leading to a just and satisfactory
solution I ON sending a like re-
quest TO the employees. and am sc-
qusinting them with this request To
you. Surely there must be a just
solution, and the good ofiices Of this
department are rendered in the hope
of finding that solution so essential
to the promotion of the common
good
Secretary Davis put in the whole
day studying this first problem OF
his administration of the Depart
ment Of Labor. When h ereached
his office al 1880 he found on his
Packing House Union and the memo
rsndum of Secretary Morrison. OF
the Federation of Labor both OF
which had been referred to the Sec
rotary of Labor. by the President.
When the Cabinet met at II
O'Clock. Secretary Davis brought up
the question Of the trouble in the
packing industry and for some time
there was a general discussion ef
the wage reduction movement as a
phase OF the problem OF postwar
readjustment Secretary of Agricul-
ture Wallace and Secretary OF COM
merce Hoover gave their views at
some length on the economic oues-
tions involved.
Prompt Action Needed.
1t was the general opinion that
the administration should take
prompt steps to avert, IL possible.
clashes between employer and en-
ployes that are bound 20 develop in
connection with the processes OF
readjustment In the direction of pre-
war conditions. President Harding
asked Secretary Davis TO return
during the afternoon with the latest
Information concerning the pack
| ing house situation
When Mr.. Davis came back he had
Telegram from the Labor Depart,
ment mediator in Chicago that the
strike vote blanks were being dis
tributed to the members Of the union.
The President then directed Mr.. Da-
Wis TO dispatch the kilograms tender
ing the good ofices of the Depart
ment Of Labor to both parties IN
the interest OF a pacific settlement.
In the action taken by the PRESS
dent there is no employment so far
Of the mediation machinery OF the
Department OF Labor. The union
did not specifically request that
mediation be undertaken by the gov
ernment but contented itself With
asking the President to use his good
Offices to prevent trouble. Eventually
the mediation machinery may come,