The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-02-09
conferences II IN his judgment an.
good could result therefrom."
Governor IN Conference

conferences II IN his judgment any
good could result therefrom."
Governor IN Conference
At the very moment this state
ment was issued Murphy was In the
18x12 legal chamber In conference
with William 8. Knudson or1d John
Thomas Smith Of the General Mo-
tors corporation and John L. Lewis,
Wyndham Mortimer and Lee Press
man Of the union.
1t was not until two hours and
IS minutes later that the confer
ence doors opened. The governor
strobe to the judges dais Of the
adjacent courtroom, rested ON his
folded arms and said hoarsely:
1.-THE conference will reconvene at
$50 tonight"
Almost his first statement re-
vealed thath he had studied the
General Motors announcement.
at is my judgment" he said,
that good could result therefrom."
This was q quotation from the final
paragraph Of the General Motors
statement.
Despite statements that have
been made" he continued, II feel
that both parties are closer to-
gether than at any time"
what do you mean by closer to-
gether'?" the governor was asked.
Murphy sat silent a moment
mo comment" b
He asserted thath he believed 1t
his plain and first duty to con-
tinue the peaceful negotiations"
Let everybody remember that the
largest Industrial conflict Of our
time In this country has thur far not
been marked by fatality. II we all
keep our heads 1t won't result In
fatality.
Some people ought to get 1t into
their heads that this isn't the weak
thing TO do. It's the strong thing
to do"
Where Lewis Stands
Then Lewis came out.
He said the position Of the union,
taken on the second day Of the
negotiations started last week at
President Roosevelt's request, still
stands.
He handed reporters a copy of
these proposals dated Feb. A, which
read:
I'VE propose that this conference
agree as follows:
/. That General Motors corpora
ton In this conference recognize the
United Automobile Workers Of
America as the collective bargain
ing agency for the employees Of the
20 plants closed for the existing
strike.
2. That all other points at issue
In the existing controversy be set
tied in a continuing collective bar
gaining conference between quail
fed representatives Of General Mo-
tors corporation and the United
Automobile Workers Of America.
3. That all plants Of the afore-
said corporation, including those
listed and all others now idle, imme-
diately resume operations pending
the negotiation Of complete agree
ment covering all points remaining
at issue"
Final Edict Of Lewis
I'm short" Lewis said, "our posi-
ton is this-we are today the bar
gaining agency In closed General
Motors plants.
There can be no representation
other than the U. A. w. A. in this
conference.
I'VE will stand in the same posi-
ton next week as. we give now"
Regarding the General Motors de-
mand for plebiscite of employees to
determine who should represent
them, Lewis said:
1.-The purpose Of that vote is SIM
ply to determine the extent of union
membership and not to determine
the scope Of the bargaining agency.
The union Is not willing to have a
vote because there is no guarantee
from General Motors that 1t would
be a fair vote"