New-York tribune., 1922-06-20
Presence Urged at Confer
ence TO Plan Concerted
Action by Railway and
Mine Workers Unions
Not Expected to Go Out
Likely To Be Asked to Re-
fuse to Haul Coal Out.
put of Non-Union Mines
Fro- q s,nr cor-,.po-a.-t


have been invited 70 sttend the confer
eefence here tomorrow night at which
leaders Of the striking coal miners and
the American Federation Of Labor rail
organizations will plan concerted he-
ton in connection with the union
plans for a railroad strike July l.
This was announced here to-day
after the receipt Of the invitations at
the Big Four" headquarters in cleve-
land At the same time John L. Lewis
president of the United Mine Workers.
issued a statement in which he said:
"One third Of The business Of the rail-
roads is hauling COAL
"A strike Of large number Of the
railroaders. coupled with that Of the
miners" he declared. would in COM
parativcly short time cause such dis
location Of all industry that the eovn-
try would soon be prostrated. and the
railroad and mine corporations would
come 20 acceptable terms with their
workers"
fnasmueh a. IL is considered a. al
most q forcgone eoncluion that tho
Big Four--the engineers. conductors,
brakemea and switehmen-oannot, be
induced 10 ioin n strike Of their less
powerful brothers of the railroads, be-
cause Of seniority rights, insurance
holdings and other reasons. the newest
move Of the American Federation OF
z - a. frfQTnTofC0
being centered chiefly in the question
OF coal.
II is believed that IL the Big Four
chiefs accept the invitations. and there
is a likelihood they will. they will be
asked az tuesdays conference 70 order
the members Of their organizations 70
refuse after July !. II strike begins
on that date, 20 haul any coal from
non-union mines.
There Is no doubt that the accept
snce Of such a proposal and its putting
into effect in the event Of the threatened
strike would have immediate disastrous
effects on many Of the eountry's indus
tries. andNhst it would force the gov
eminent n take steps toward q speedy
settlement Of the difficulties Of all the
union groups concerned.
bri many observers familiar with
the tactics Of the big Four believe
that they will either decline 20 enter
any such agreement or. which is more
likely. take the matter under eonsid-
eration." In view OF the fact that they
are slated for a BIT Of wage trimming
N the not far distant future, II IS
pointed out that adoption OF the latter
course would place them in an excel
lent osition for trading purposes.
Fitzgerald Issues Denial
z. II. Fitzgerald. president Of the
Brotherhood Of Railway and Steamship
Clerks. issued a denial Of reports that
a strike Of the members Of his orgsni-
cation would not be ordered IN the
event they vote for one. This was con-
sidercd Of importance, as the clerks
have independent contracts with a
numbe Of railroads. and was taken 20
mean that these will not be permitted
10 stand in the way OF a general call
ing out Of the organization members.
The chief developments on the
American Federation Of Labor eonven-
tion floor we're a hot fight over the i'm
migration question, which resulted IN
a vote by a considerable margin favor
ing the present governmental restrie-
tions on immigrants. and the launching
OF boom FOR William P. Clarke. cf
Tcledo. president Of the FLINT Glass
Workers Union. for the secretaryship
Of the Federation. held for many years
By Frank Morrison. The immigration
fight was precipitated By the reading
OF a portion Of the report Of the com
mittee on legislation approving sec
ton Of the executive councils report
urging that the per cent immigration
law be made permanent until eondi-
tions call for q change" or that u be
extended al least 20 June 30, 1924. OPP
position 10 this was led by Max Amdur,
Of Philadelphia, a delegate OF the In
ternntional Ladies' Garment Workers
Union.
"Organized labor Of this country
should oppose any restrictions on i'm
migration" he said. This is against
the ideals Of Americanism. There are
millions OF unemployed workers OF
other countries. some Of them starving,
who should be permitted 20 come 70
the United States and work. lmmigra-
tion built this country and II IS big
enough and has sufficient resources 10
thow open its doors 20 all who wish
20 come here
PLEADS fOr lncmploy " htit
Replying. Thomas F. Flsherty, chair
man Of the committee on legislation,
declared that "it would be unwise 20
have unrestricted immigration nov
With 1000, 900 unemployed here Ibis
contention was challenged ey Ma1
Greenstein. Of New York. delegate OF
the jewelry workers, VINO SAID tnat
"wherever there are vast forces OF Ia
Dor you will find mecca Of INDUSTRY,
but where you keep out labor yo- VII!
find a desert,
Announcement Of the Clarke boom
ereated a stir among the delegates. In
4 number OF quarters II was described
as a test boom. launched 20 sound out
the sentiment as 20 Secretary Morrison
who has number OF opponents IN the
convention. Mr. Morrison, who pre-
viously was reported as not being
wholly inimicsl 10 the campaign oi
Joseph A. Franklin. who Is backed oy
the railroad groups for the executive
council job Of Daniel J. Tobin' de-
clared to-day that he would vote Tor
Mr. Tobin's reelection.
Nothing has occurred 20 change the
opinion that The reelection OF Fresl-
dent Gompers is a certainty.
Leaders Of the railroad metal trades
and miners groups OF the FedeEation
Of Labor were in a secret caucus late
tonight. the purpose Of which was re
ported 10 make an endeavor 70 induce
John L. Lewis. head Of the Cnitea
Mine Workers, 20 be q eandidate
against Mr.. Gompers.
NJ. Lewis was candidate Tor tne
position az the Denver convention
wear ago. He was reported 70 have
attended the caucus tonight, but 70
have left early. When asked Tor q