LABOR: Lion Meets Lamb

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But the story never broke. Mr. Lewis was the first to emerge, snapping, "General conversations—no conclusions. We are in recess until 4 o'clock." Said Mr. Green a few minutes later: "We held a satisfactory and most interesting conference, but arrived at no conclusion. We will go back into session at 4 o'clock." After the 4 o'clock session Mr. Lewis rumbled: "Same story as at noon." And this statement was seconded by Mr. Green. Both studiously avoided arriving or departing together.

Once more the labor chiefs had met, but in spite of rising pressure from the rank & file in both camps they were unable to agree on anything. The two principal points at dispute are: 1) what industries are to be designated by mutual consent for industrial organization along C. I. O. lines, and 2) what is to become of C. I. O. Mr. Lewis wants all C. I. O. unions admitted to A. F. of L., settling the jurisdictional questions after they are in. With nearly 4,000,000 members, C. I. O. would then of course dominate A. F. of L. Mr. Green, who realizes this all too well, is willing to take back the twelve suspended C. I. O. unions but wants the dual unionism created by the new C. I. O. unions settled by subcommittees before admission. Since this point would seem to be open to horse trading, the more optimistic lieutenants in both C. I. O. and A. F. of L. remained cheerful. But the two commanders quit their last meeting grim and glum, merely announcing that they would report back—without recommendations—to their respective negotiating committees when they reassembled December 21. "Is it the status quo ante?" Mr. Lewis was asked—meaning war. "That would be a fair analysis," he replied stepping into the elevator.