The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-22

Washington, oct. 22-0ptlmlsm as to success of the forthcoming 0. I, o,.A. Y. of l.. peace conferences is Q scarce commodity.
 The best thing the more peaceful labor leaders hope for Is some sort of Q truce in which the two organi- zations will ct least partially refrain from seeking to slash each other to pieces. It Is believed possible that Lewis and the A. '. of L. chieftair,s might reach an agreement to use their war chests for other purposes than the labor versus labor war.
 Prevalence Of pesslmlsm COn- Ocrnlnk other phases of labor's split does not mean that attempts to bring the two factions together again are doomed. Cogcnt factors, actual and potential, which may force something more than . par- tlAl truce, are also In the picture.
 Nevertheless, competent observers returning frCtn Denver and Allan. tic City report that the sessions Of both groups areathed Self-congrAtu- latory optimism and defiance. The plain fact Is that both branches of the labor movement have been thriving, that neither side Is Seri- ouSly afraid of the other and that these facts tend to discourage com. promise,
 Lewis Wants Power
 Complexities of tho problems to Do solved In any fAr-reaehlng settle- ment of labor'S strife are enormous, But ono of the most difficult facts Is that, with 0. I. o. now claiming Q larger membership than the fod- eration, it might Do impossible to re- unite o. I. o. and A. r. of |. with- out putting Lewis In control.
 Furthermore, Lewis undoubtedly will insist on the right tO organize mass production industries on an industrial basis without craft union participation upon full voting representation for hls fol- lowers and on . cessation of A. Y. Oe l., cffortS to gain employer rco- oynltlon by suggesting c. l. O. would be A greater cvlL
 William Green and his executive council have shown small indioA. ton of willingness to make any large concessions,
 etratorloaliy, Q. I. o. leaders feel they're sitting pretty. By making the first peace" move, Lewis ap. pealed to tho largo rank and mo sentiment of workers In both armies who dislike fighting other workers, The A, r. of l.. could hardly rotuSo the overture. Peace negotiations, hopeless or not, might at least Stall of a major A, Y. of l.. onSlaueht against c, I. o. while Lewis and ms colleagues continued their organ' iSation drive.
 Fear Business Slump
 Some of tho facts which iiley make the outlook for real peace brighter than most labor loaaora now think, were also influential m persuading 0. I. o. to break the Ice, on both sides exists tho tear of A business slump. Both slices also fear tho threat Of repreSSiyo labor legislation which will Do hard- or 10 defeat If labor cannot unto At least on that front.
 Influential pAeiAstlc groups ol leaders arc to Do found m potli uro,ips, aside from c very important and perhaps potential deciSivo rank and flle sentiment
 0. l. 0. has been somewhat uls- turbed Co And A. Y. of '. groups fighting "labor" candidates which it endorsed for election in Ncw York. Detroit and elsewhere bome A, V, Ol l.. unions worry lest Q: I' O. unions, which havent yet in. Vnded their territory, will soon do so, and some c. L o. unions are having what they consider enough trouble without having the A. W of L. bear down on them In slCK' fish areas. .s
 And no one on either side enJoyS Inc fact that employers have shown an increasing d@position to refuse to AiRn contracts with one facuoii at tho disk Of inviting attack rom thO other.