New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-06
SUCCESS, SAYS STOKES
PLEASED WITH "CONFAB."
Practical Plans for Political and So
ciaI Reforms Suggested, He Says.

]. G. Phelps Stokes. who returned yesterday
from the conference economic, political and
, industrial conditions of the present. which was
held at his fathers home in Darien. Indignantly
denied the published reports that the conference
was failure in any way. The purpose OF the
conference he said, to draw together those
who have been working IN various ways for
popular betterment for broadening exchange
of opinion. in the hope Of getting such light on
present day conditions could be gained from
the experiences Of workers in each OF the prin-
cipal fields Of political effort Some of the men
were not active workers but magazine writers
who have done service in exposing corrupt con-
ditions and practices. Mr. Stokes said that the
conference was brought about by Robert Hunter.
not with any idea of promoting socialistic
| theories but simply that the workers might
gather better understanding of the general sit
uation.
The evils of the political and industrial situ-
| alton We're discussed. chief among them being
the various forms of graft; the industrial in
Justice arising from the disparity between the
product of labor and its reward and between
conscientious effort and its results, and monop-
olies and the control of legislatures and COVER
mental institutions by corporations.
This last evil. the control of the people by
plutocracy. generally was considered the parent
evil to large extent. It was the unanimous
attitude of those present at the conference that
government OF the people for and by the people
no longer existed in this country. 1t be-
lieved by most that the democracy which once
existed. faulty It may have been. is now
suppanted by the corrupt influence of plu-
| tocracy. and the popular government now exists
only in form and not in substance.
All present had remedies to suggest for this
evil. They differed in form more than in SUBJ
stance. The central idea in each suggestion was
that the of responsibility of the people
should be aroused and the national conscience
quickened Many of the Republicans present be-
lieved with Senator Colby that much could be.
done by arousng greater in the selection
OF honest representatives and universal partici-
patton In the primaries.
George Fred Williams of Massachusetts,
echoed the thought of most Of the Democratic
refor1ners - expressing the belief that the
Democratic party was capable of reform within
itself, that II might become a party COM
mitted to genuine popular government
1t was the belief OF students like Professor
Gddings Mr.. Stokes said that opportunities for
public service becoming so much larger,
with the growing complexity of civilization. that
public life would attract many more honest and
intelligent men who heretofore have thought
they found a larger sphere of activity in the
opportunities of private life.
The Socialists present. while admitting that
all reforms which led 10 larger justice were
valuable, thought the same time and effort could
be spent to better advantage in educating the
people TO recognize the essential and funda-
mental injustice of the capitalistic system This
they believed would result In more good in pre-
pairing the way for the earlier advent Of a CO.
operative commonwealth
All those present. said Mr.. Stokes. agreed that
the great factor in arousing the people to a
sense of the civic duty had been the educational
work of the low priced magazines in lifting the
lid from one hive of grafters after another and
exposing the corrupt relations between the
money power and the government He said that
all recognized that the work OF many OF the
magazine writer's. for instance. was accomplish
ing great results in arOusing popular adherence
OF the corrupt relations shown to exist and in
arousing throughout the country popular indig-
nation and a determination TO terminate the
reign of graft
It was recognized. said Mr. Stokes. by ali the
workers that there is now taking place through
out the United States vast awakening of the
public conscience. A great change for the better
in the political life of the country WAS predicted.
although there disagreement 10
whether the regeneration of politics was close at
hand or less distant None of the
speakers believed that this change would
suit from a catastrophe upheaval, but rather
from less rapid progress. On the
whole Mr.. Stokes said. the attitude of all the
speakers most optimistic. the general trend
of opinion being for larger participation by
the people in the management of great enter
prises.
OPPOSE STOCK TRANSFER.