The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-02-11

, There was in the ct inference an
. overwhelming majority of represen-
tativcs of big business, 4 scattering
minority of actual farmers and a
single representative Of the trade un-
ion movement, Samuel Gompers.
From the opening day of the con-
ference it became clear that the
representatives of investment capi-
tai, of powerful industrial com bina-
tions, of railroads, and Of big busi-
ness in general were determined to
put through a recommendation In
favor of wage reductions for indus
trial worker
Stood By Labor.
The little minority composed of
President Gompers, most of the act
ual farmers and one or two other
delegates possessed Of wisdom and
vision battled successfully against
overwhelming odds until the after
noon Of the day OH which the con-
ference adjourned
The final onslaught of the big
business anti-labor coalition came
at time when the conference was
worn out with long sessions with
the result that a recommendation
y which had been repeatedly defeated
in committee and on the floor was
driven through. The recommended
ton of the conference covering wage
reduction was contained in the re-
T. port Of the committee on transpOrta-
ton and was as follows:
Urges Wage Reduction.
''1u conclusion, we Insist that the
railroad corporations and railroad
labor should share in the deflation
in charges now affecting all indus
tries. This is essential to the res
toration Of normal conditions in ag-
riculture and it is essential to the
welfare Of the entire community.
We earnestly appeal to those in
authority to take such action as may
be necessary in order to accomplish
%lnat result" *f '"%%. |' 80 =.
-, To make clear the tremendous ef-
4. fort put forth to place the agricul-
+ tural conference on record as be-
ing favor Of wage reduction there
are here quoted extracts from the
reports OF six separate committees
each in one form or another de-
= manding reduction OF wages.
Labor Must Share.
From revised report Of committee
on costs, prices and adjustments. as
adopted by National Agricultural
conference committee No. 81:
#"There can be no restoration of
national prosperity until both wages
and capital which enter into the
production Of the commodities which
the farmer buys bears their mutual
and just share in the general pro-
cess Of rcadjustment.
y From report Of subcommittee
5-A of committee on costs, prices
= and readjustments of National Agri-
cultura! conference; In the cotton
!. belt:
Your committee would like to
Etcall your attention to the fact that
liaSyery high return for labor in the
u railroad, coal mining, building trades
and other industries, has very de-
finite effect in the cost Of produc-
3tion for cotton industry at it's pres
II ent scat1dalously low level.
Railroad Rates, Too.
From report of subcommittee
5-B of committee on costs. prices
and readjustme of National Agri-
cultural conference; In the wheat
regions:
''There should be an immediate
and substantial reduction in rail-
road rates, the present high cost of
which is. one of the most grievous
burdens Of the agricultural industry.
The chief item in the cast of trans
h y11
q wages, which should be reduced
proportionately as railroad rates are
reduced
4 r. F'Iom report Of subcommittee
i5-C OF committee on costs, prices,
and Establishments of National Agri-
cultural conference; costs, prices and
: 'readjustments in the corn belt:
sgYY gYY.fsr The Adamson Law.
Zone OF the greatest needs of the
cOrn-belt farmer is reduced trans
portat1on costs. To accomplish this
end, we recommend (a) the immedi-
ate repeal or amendment Of the
! Adamson law covering the national
~ agreements, the savings thus ef-
s@fected to be Immediately reflected
in reduction of freight rates; (b)
sAs lAS ICpCdl VI I1lc guarantee clause
n of the Esh-Cummins law; (c) the
n improvement of farm market roads
I and (d) the development of inland
. waterways, especially the St. Lawr-
ence Deep Waterways project"
From report OF subcommittee
sd Of committee on costs, prices,
hnd adjustments of National Agri-
cultural conference; costs, prices,
land readjustments in the dairy re-
}gions.
GIVE would point out that the
NAcosts Of labor, of machinery, OF
equipment, and the fixed charges on
investments are still high and must
be reduced. as they are large fac
z tors in preventing serious loss to
Hairying.''
b, $s4 Another at Labor.
ta AF'rom reports of subcommittee
8S5- w. of committee on costs, prices.
and readjustments of National Agrf-
'ss,sS 3s CONTINUED on page ~ I3.--