The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-18
BY G. l.. sULZBERGEE
UNITED Press STAFF Correspondent

=
washington, March 18-(UP)---
Federal officials sought today to
arrange conference between Wal
ter p. Chrysler, chairman OF the
Chrysler Corporation, and John l..
Lewis, chairman Of the committee
for industrial organization, IN the
hope Of settling strikes that have
made 10000 Chryslcr employees job
less.
simultaneously, administration
leaders showed concern over the
spread OF sit-down strikes and in
dicated that study Of legislative
means to control the situation was
under way. It was learned that the
American Federation Of Labor soon
will issue o formal statement con-
demning the sit-down method.
AS Congress turned Its attention
for the first time to the strike 81
tuation, II was disclosed that fed
eral representatives are striving to
arrange meeting between Chrys-
Ter and Lewis. Both men now are
In New York.
Medlators Hampered
Government mediators, working
in secrecy, so far have been unsuc.
cessful In their attempts. They are
acting In cooperation with Gov.
Frank Murphy Of Michigan who
has been trying to induce Chrysler
and Lewis to come to Detroit for
conferences similar TO that which
ended the General Motors dispute.
From sources close TO Chrysler 1t
was learned that he desires to make
no move at this time. He fells that
1t Is time to test the authority Of
courts In dealing with sit-down
strikes and expects to await results
Of legal efforts to evict the strikers
In his plants before taking any &C.
ton.
Chrysler's decision was made after
talks with several business and fl
nancial leaders. 1t was said that
he will only meet with Lewis II he
feels that he can not receive ade-
quate recourse through the tnjunc-
ton against strikers.
Lewis 10 Ready
Lewis, 1t was reported, Is eager to
attend such meeting. 1t was stated
that he Is willing to order out the
strikers II Chrysler will guarantee to
him that plant operations will not
be resumed during peace confer
ences.
However, present chances of such
a meeting either In Detroit or New
York appeared slim.
A. r. OF L. leaders were reported
preparing an attack on the sitdown
1t will probably be issued within
a few days by President william
Green whose condemnation OF a
city general strike O few years ago
contributed TO Its swift collapse.
Four senators saw the specter of
dictatorship" In the American flu
ture II the strike wave Is allowed TO
continue without some form Of in
teryention.
Government u POwerless
Majority Leader Joseph T. Rob-
inson. d.. Ark. said In a statement
that the government is powerless to
act against Glt-downs which are
"manifestly unlawful" He spoke
after senate debate had brought de-
mands for q congressional inquiry
Robinson said: what congress or
other federal authority can do about
the matter at this Junctnre does not
appear. Compulsory arbitration
does not commend Itself. Media
ton ana Cancellation and the pro-
motion OF collective bargaining M
contemplated by the labor relations
not. n the same shall DO sustained,
undoubtedly are helpful factors. I'm.
al the supreme court has naEsfd
upon Tie validity OF The statute r..
ierred 70 Il N exceedingly difficult
10 make advancement"
Senate discussion az tho ait~d0Wr
Was started BY Senator Hiram john
son, IT, California, wilo warned that