AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1920, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

»(Reuter’s Telegram.; STEAMERS COLLIDE. "(Received Tins Day at 8 a.m,) NEW YORK, Nov. 13. The Spanish Royal Mail liner-Mont-serrat and the freighter Sanmarcos, collided in the harbour. The Montserrat, which was carrying 379 passengers, 'was beached. AMERICAN LABOR TROUBLE. WASHINGTON, Nov. 12. The Executive Committee of the American Federation of Labour is holding a conference regarding the industrial ; situation. Certain leaders state they can see a definite conspiracy throughout the country on the part of the employers to force what is termed the “open shop” and to lower wages. These Labour leaders declare that many of the manufacturers are now down their plants. They do so simply with the object of reopening the shops when the workers tire of ‘the forced idleness, and so , agree to accept reduced wages and an “open shop.” The Union leaders state that the cost of living will not permit any wage reduction. They declare also their intention to fight the “open shop” move with all their resources. The Leaders are planning to get the American Federation of Labour to consider the raising of a twenty million dollar fund, with which to conduct a “closed shop” campaign. (Tlie term “open shop” means that workers at an establishment need not belong to any 'industrial union, while a “closed shop” means the same thing as “preference to unionists,” th.T is, a shop where own-unionists cannot be engaged except when there are no unionists available, or where men refuse on entering to join a union).