Evening star., 1945-09-30
Danger Signs for Labor Talks
History 1919 Efforts Harmony Cited Unions
Prepare Discuss Problems Involved in Postwar Employment


work out, if possible, in a genuine spirit
of cooperation, a practicable method of
association based upon a real commun-
ity of interest which will rebound to the
welfare Of all our people"
The personnel of the conference in
cluded the ablest leaders of labor and
industry, and also men and women who
had given years of study to- industrial
and social questions In the public in
terest and were recognized authorities.
An omnious note which foretold what
was about to happen was sounded at
the first real working session of the
conference, but no one seemed so to
appraise it, believe 1t or to heed it. It
came when the Committee on Rules
made its report, with the first rule pro-
viding that no member of the con-
ference could present a subject to the
conference without the assent of his
group. There was an immediate storm
OF protest, chiefly from the public group
1t would shut out many proposals and
much discussion which might be helpful
If the principals of an open forum were
observed; it violated President Wilson's
mandate that the conference was to
canvass every relevant feature of the
present industrial situation" and it
meant complete domination of the con-
ference by bare majority of the mem
bers of each group. However, such
protests were promptly squelched by
the employers and labor groups. There
upon, from public group delegate
came the ominous warning in tones of
deep disgust: I'VE might just as we'll
adjourn!"
Urged Suspension Of Strike.
1t was at the next session that Samuel
Gompers hurled his first bomb-a reso-
luton from the labor group recommend
ing that the steel strike be suspended
pending arbitration. This precipitated
the question of collective bargaining and
trade-unionism, and the issue was
sharply drawn after the public group
offered definite resolution which de-
clared:
The right of the wage earners in
trade and labor unions to bargain
collectively, to be represented by rep
resentatives of their own choosing in
negotiations and adjustments with
employers with respect to wages,
hours and relations and conditions of
employment, is recognized. This must
not be understood as limiting the
right OF any wage Garner to refrain
from joining any organization or to
deal directly with his employer If he
SO chooses"
John D. Rockefeller, jr. of the public
group made the first statement in sup
port of the resolution. He pointed out
that it was predicated upon the principle
of representation in industry, which
includes the right to organize and to
bargain collectively.
Members Of the employers group con-
tended that the resolution was ambigu-
ous and susceptible Of inconsistent in
terpretations. They affirmed their will
ingness to recognize the principle of
establishment or plant collective bar
gaining, but declared that all differences
should be settled in the shop, without
participation by men from outside the
shop.
Other Objections Raised.
The employers further argued that
the resolution excluded by its silence"
the right of workers to join shop coun-
cils or associations in individual estab-
lishments, and that it recognized the
right of employees of the Government to
join labor unions, which might order
them to strike or otherwise control
their action as against the Government.
A substitute resolution offered by the
employers embodied their limitations
upon collective bargaining.
The chief argument advanced by the
labor group was in reply to the conten-
ton of the employers in favor of shop
councils or shop committees as a form
of collective bargaining. 1t was to the
effect that such form of organization
did not leave untrammeled the right
of the workers to choose their own rep
resentatives, and that the demand for
(See LABOR, Page CD