The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-05-21

| this was his first visit south of Washing
| ton and was a revelation to him as to the
| Industrial possibilities of the south. He
paid generous tribute to the ability or
| the negro, as evidenced by the address of
Professor Council and explained the plans
| of the Trades League for increasing trade
| by means of a coastwise line of steamers
| from Philadelphia to one or more south
| ern ports. The convention was wholly
| I'm sympathy with the proposition. but no
| action was asked on it. He was followed
| by N. T. Kelly. of the Philadelphia Trades
| League on the same subject. At the con-
| clusion of Professor Councills address
| the committee on industrial interests re-
| ported as follows on compulsory arbitra-
ton:
1--WE recommend the appointment by
| every southern state OF board of arbi-
| tration composed of not more than three
| members selected for their general fit
| ness for the position. and free from po-
/ litical influence. to whom all differences
| between labor and capital shall be Ic-
| ferred. and whose decisions shall be final,
except that an appeal may lie from such
| decisions by any aggrieved party to tho
| civil courts In the meantime making IL n
/ felony to strike or order a boycott
lockout; pending such decision in the
| courts"
| The report was adopted without a dis
senting vote. and places this convention in
| the lead to settle labor questions in a
/ prescribed way and Is probably the most
important action of the convention.
Alexander Helper, secretary of the Re-
tailers Association of Baltimore. delivered
an address on Railroads, Their Relation
to the Industrial Progress of the South"
which was enthusiastically received and
greatly applauded by the convention Mr.
Helper contended that railroads consti-
tute the great territorial arteries of COM
merce and business in general: that trans
portation underlies material prosperity in
every department of agriculture and man.
fractures and commerce; that profitable
diversity of crops without railroads is
quite impossible; that railroads prosper
only when the nation itself prospers, and
that railroads foster and further all kinds
of Industries. Mr. Helper contended that
railroads were the backbone of the south
and that the vigorous and progressive
south of today owes her activity and
advancement chiefly to the railroads that
traverse her territory.
Mr.. Helper also contended that the
American railroads furnish the best ser
vice in the world, at the lowest rates of
fare. at the same time paying their en-
ployees very much higher wages than
are paid for similar services i'm any other
country on the globe. Mr.. Helper said
that railway men like Vanderbilt. Depew
Cassatt, Provost, Morgan, Belmont Gould
Cowen, Huntington, Plant. Fish, Walton
Fink. James j. Hill, Ingalls,, Samuel
Spencer. Andrews. John Shelton Williams
men of Drawn, brain, good judgment and
foresight, strongly backed by pluck and
perseverance. were the mastery captains
OF industry and material progress, and
are, in a great degree. the creators of
our new civilization. and are men whom
our nation should respect and honor for
the grand and useful work they are doing
for this remarkable age of industrial and
commercial and manufacturing achieve
ment. progress and development
Colonel j. j. Garnett of New York. adj
dressed the convention in the interest of
a southern exposition in New York in 1902
The address was well received by the
convention. which was in sympathy with
the movement and adopted strong resolu-
tions commencing the plan.
A resolution was adopted thanking Sec
rotary Wilson for attending the conven-
ton, and still another providing for the
appointment of committee to submit a
plan al the New Orleans meeting for the
permanent OrganiZa ton of the convention
as society to promote southern inter
eStS.
The work of the convention was prac-
tically over. and after passing the usual
vote of thanks to the gentlemen who had
addressed the convention and TO the Chat
tanOoga chamber of commerce for hospi-
tally and courtesy, the convention adj
journed sine die.
The work accomplished has been effec-
tual for good and the institution mas been
placed on a solid basis.