The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1934-03-21

use all the influence and power at
| his command to stop the threat
| ened automobile strike and curb
labor unpest in other fields, in
GLIDING the steel industry.
The capital was tense as the
automobile conferences began.
Mr. Roosevelt said he was ad-
vancing no specific proposals in his
initial discussions. The conferees
include such dominant figures as
Walter p. Chrysler, Alfred p.
Sloan, president of General Mo-
tors Alvan Macauley, president of
Packard and Roy d. Chaplin, presi-
dent Of Hudson and former secre-
tary of commerce.
Earlier the president had con-
ferred with Senator James Couz-.
ems, wealthy Michigan republican,
and former associate of Henry
Ford. Couzens indicated belief
that Mr. Roosevelt had some con-
crete suggestions.
Labor Issue Prepared
Tomorrow the president will hear
the labor side of the dispute from
President William Green OF the
American Federation of Labor
and a delegation of union leaders
| from Michigan.
In response to overtures from
| NRA, Green agreed the issue
should be simmered down for the
time being to the question of work.
ers elections and representation
through A. F. of L. unions. NRA
officials were hopeful an agree
ment could be reached.
The governments suit for an in
junction to prevent the Weirton
Steel company from violating col
lectiye bargaining guarantees un-
der the recovery act failed to halt
unrest in the Weirton plants and
other steel centers.
From many parts of the coun-
try came reports of strikes and
threatened strikes involving thous-
ands of dollars.
Before going to the White House
the automobile manufacturers con-
ferred for many hours. They de-
clined a statement, but indicated
enc might be Forthcoming from the
White House later.
The automobile men won an ini-
tial point in their demand for ii
separate conference with the pres
ident. Every indication at the
White House had pointed toward n
combined conference with industry
and labor tomorrow.
The manufacturers disliked this
and it was agreed the president
would see them today and labor to-
morrow. He made clear however.
that he expected the industrialists
70 remain here for possible further
meetings.
Labor Leaders Talk
Detroit, March 21-UP)-Labor
saving machinery, seasonal employ
nent and rigid disciplinary man
agement Of plants were cited by
labor leaders today as vital issues
in the threatened auto strike.
A decline of labor's share in the
selling price Of autos from Is per
cent in 1923 to 10 per cent today
was claimed by William Collins,
national organizer for the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor as he pre-
pared to lead labors delegation to
the Washington conference with
President Roosevelt.
Collins and Michigan labor lead
ers will confer tomorrow at the
White House with the president
who interceded at the eleventh
hour to postpone a threatened
strike.
Automatic machinery has been
able to increase production" Col
Inns said, making it more profit
able for the employer but less
profitable for the employe - the
wholesale selling price of an auto
in 1923 represented labor costs of
about 15 per cent, since the depres.
sion labor costs are about 10 per
cent"
Although automobiles are sold
the year around seasonal produc-
ton gives the workers only eight
motnhs employment during the
year. he asserted.
Rigid discipline in plants. no
smoking and necessity for prime
physical condition have been en-
forced by espionage systems and
elaborate "black lists for employees
who have not conformed, he said.
'"This is known as the method of
open shop" Collins said. AFTER
| 20 wears there has come with 1t n