Evening star., 1937-02-05

DETROIT, February 5.-Represent-
atives Of opposing sides in the Gen.
eral Motors automotive strikes met
again today in the court room cham.
bers of Recorders Judge George
Murphy. to resume their search for
an agreement that would end the 3d.
day-old strike. The conference, origi-
nally scheduled for 10 am, was de-
layed until HAS by the late arrival
Of General Motors representatives..
Gov. Frank Murphy and the union
representatives, John L. Lewis, chair
man Of the Committee for Industrial
Organization; Lee Pressman, c. I. o.
counsel, and Homer Martin, president
Of the United Automobile Workers of
America, arrived at the court room at
10 am. eastern standard time).
None would make any comment on
the numerous reports of what specific
matter was up for solution before an
agreement could be reached.
Complete settlement OF the strike,
rather than determination OF a basis
for negotiations with the union. was
indicated earlier as the goal of the
conference.
An authoritative source said the
conferees were trying to embrace
more than at the Lansing conference"
He referred to the meeting which pro-
duced the later-discarded Lansing
agreement" January IS for negotiat-
ing the unions eight demands.
This source said the conference
was deadlocked over one point. An
other reliable authority close to the
proceedings revealed that the only
obstacle was the extent of -ecosni-
ton to be granted the United Auto
mobile Workers of America, which
seeks to be the sole bargaining agent
of General Motors employees.
Gov. Murphy said progress was
made" when the fifth meeting Of the
group adjourned early today. The
sessions began Wednesday morning.
The Governor divided his attention
between the conference and the situa-
tion at Flint, Mich, key point of the
strikes. He said he had admonished
civil and military authorities there,
where more than 5000 Michigan Ma
tional Guardsmen are concentrated,
to do everything possible to maintain
peace and order" He commended
them for their excellent results"
Gov. Murphy was the only one to
comment upon leaving the fifth ses-
sion of the strike settlement parley
early this morning.
Progress was made" he said. "The
public will find that the peaceful way
is the way to do it-peacefully and in
an effort to understand one another.
Both sides are in earnest and doing
their best.
I'm the meantime I am keeping in
close contact with the situation in
Flint. I am keeping in hourly contact
with the military and other repre-
sentatives there acting as peacemakers.
Under difficult circumstances they
have achieved excellent results"
G. M. C. Representatives.
Representing General Motors at all
of the Sessions-in the court quarters
of the Governors brother. Recorders
Judge George Murphy-were William
S. Knudsen, executive vice president:
John Thomas Smith. general counsel,
and Donaldson Brown, finance chair
man.
The union delegates were Lewis,
Martin and Pressman.
At last nights gathering with Gov.
Murphy these six were Joined by c. E.
Wilson. another vice president Of
General Motors, and Orla Gassaway.
q member of the executive board Of
the United Mine Workers Of America.
Lewis Is president Of the Miners
Union, also c. I. o. leader.
The informant who said the issue
of union recognition was the stumbling
block, asserted that evacuation Of the
"sit-downers" from the corporations
plants no longer was hindering prog
ress. General Motors refusal to ne
gotiate with the union until the plants
had been vacated was one Of the causes
Of the abandonment Of the Lansing
The source did not disclose what
disposition had been made of the
evacuation question. It appeared,
however, either that some understand
ing had been reached or the confer
ences were leaving that issue to be
settled through possible court action
at Flint by the corporation.