New-York tribune., 1909-02-20

ara there was Mr.. Ramsay Macdonald who has
been described as another Bismarck capable OF
thTotuing the aspirations Of organized labor.
pleaolng Tor super-taxes On large incomes and
Tor securing for the communal benefit all
earned increment Of wealth. Mr.. Clynes had the
reputation Of a trimmer, who could not be de-
Eenoed upon to allow extremists fair play, yet
in his presidential address he unfolded as a
practical scheme of working politics the mutual
association for immediate legislative gains OF
the trade Unionists and organized socialists
each body being left free to pursue ;ts business
IN It's own way, and both recognizing the truth
that any social reform worth having must tend
TO a more equitable use and enjoyment Of the
wealth Of the country Whether sweated indus
tries. the extension OF the old age pension act,
the eight hours day, or the taxation of land
values is under debate. there is substantial har-
mony among the groups represented in the
ference. They all extremists in opinion; but
the majority Of the four hundred delegates are
cautious in the choice Of ways and means and
do not want to be known socialists Theirs is
the Labor party; they viii not have any other
name for it. and the two bodies represented in
the coalition must continue to exercise self
restraint and to work together.
A few hours passed among the delegates will
convince any unprejudiced observer that the
working million IS obtaining remarkable train
ing for public life. There finished orators
and clever tacticians among these four hun
dred delegates. Ramsay Macdonald, whom
falls the burden of defence Of the execu-
tive committee. has rich. sonorous voice, which
can be heard in the rernotest corner Of the gal
lery, and he speaks with fuency and persuasive
eloquence. Mr. Snowden is an orator who pleads
his CAUSE with serene reasonableness and ap-
peals to the imagination Of his audience. win
| Crooks has a rich fund Of humor, Arthur
Henderson has the fervor Of a Wesleyan
| preacher. Mr.. Barnes states his case with the
precision Of practised lawyer. Mr. Clynes is
resourceful chairman. who knows his mind and
never allows the business of the conference to
fall into tangle. and their leading colleagues
on platform or on floor are fluent debaters, who
never hesitate for a word and invariably speak
with practical Intelligence. The trades Tnionist
school is a rough one, where men begin as loud
voiced shouters and dexterous negotiators, but
they must have character, energy and ability
as organizers and speakers in order to become
leading in the unions and federations and
representatives in Parliament labor confer
ences. The four hundred in this important coun-
ell of the labor party are picked men. They
have come up from the bottom to the top Of the
working world, and there must be resources Of
power in them or they would not be where they
are.
A labor conference, like a trade union con-
.gress, is a parliament where debates sys-
tematically ordered. No subject be sprung
upon the assembly Unexpectedly. The proceed
ings are regulated by standing orders and
agenda. and precedents and techncalities are
as closely construed as at Westminster. Re-
strictions are necessary If the debates are to
be brought TO an end within three days, and
every speaker is forced to keep closely to the
point Work IS prearranged in detail by the
committee responsible for the standing orders
but the settled arrangements be upset by
vigorous protest and persistent attack, for vot-
ing by hand or by card be demanded ana
carried out without serious loss Of time Many
delegates have in order 70 be heard ny
the chairman; the majority Of them fling opt
their arms IN excited gesture; nearly all have
a tendency TO overemphasize their points. Yet
while graces Of pratory may be lacking II Is
clear. forcible debating with sound knowledge
of parliamentary usage behind it. Every
speaker is terribly in earnest. and invective IS
not spared when opponents are roughly han
died Yet how easy 1t is for leader with a
keen sense Of hUmor 10 restore good nature py
an unexpected pleasantly! Trade unlohists
ard socialists are never brought into so close
coalition as when they are laughing cheek Dy
5o1,-i over a well seasoned working Joke
The socialists. after being defeated in all at
to,nnts to change the constitution of the Labor
marty. succeeded in securing the passage by
.Iosa vote of a resolution which had oeen
..o-+a5 the nrevious year This was a sweep
inc declaration for the socialization OF the
means of production. distribution and exchange
"a he controlled by a democratic state In the IN
forest IN the entire community" ana Tor lhe
cornplete emancipation Of labor from the doii'
,,a+io, of capitalism and landlordisIn with the
es+a t,lishrnent Of social and economic equaH'y
ta+,-aen the sexes" This was their one achleVe-
/ ,,.-+ after a deliberate and energetic campaign
FOR the capture OF the conference in "hcH
wage earuers were largely represented. A pro-
! ,oeaI for state maintenance of children was "e-
fea+ed bv large majority, and socialist strlc'-
| ,,-es unon the general conduct OF party Poli0y
/ !, +ba national executive committee were con-
/ z,r.d after heated discussion. The non-so-
/ ciaue+ trade unionists. while unable 10 oeleo'
! = s;rqte abstract resolution TO which they strel-
| ,,o,e1v objected could repeat the formula tha'
- had not been incorporated into the party coI'
-+i+,,+fon and was not binding upon ianor can
| dida+e Not only had the cleavage OF the party
/ 80 two hostile irreconcilable sections Dee1
/ ,-ented but the moderate trade uilioIiS's
| "a baen left in control OF the executive anu
g. =. position to regulate contests IN the gen
a.aI election. The victory was theirs ana mere
u,os reassuring evidence that Labor candidateS
r.o,,,d not masquerade as socialists in the next
Wonlo H"' l. n. F.
/ elections