The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-02
GOVERNORS CLOSE
 THEIR CONFERENCE
More Systematic Plans Laid
 for Future Work
IA LONG LOOK AHEAD
Miss Laura Clay Speaks Before the Governors on Woman Suffrage. Governor Fort Talks About
 the Direct Primary

Louisville, December 1.-After start ing a movement to put the next confer ence of governors on business-like basis and establish permanent head quarters where programmes will be ar ranged. insuring better results. listen ing to a ,suffragists speech and dis cussions of various important subjects, the third annual conference of gov ernors adjourned here late this after noon. No little opposition to adjourn ing tonight was expressed as many of the governors believed they should stay in session longer because so much of the time had been taken up with social functions. Next year the pro- gramme will include more real work and fewer dinners and receptions, not withstanding the visitors appreciate and have enjoyed Kentucky hospitality.
 The plan of organization advanced by Governor Sloan of Arizona and adopted in executive session is that the present committee on arrangements, of which Governor Fort of New Jersey Is chairman draft a statement of the object of the conference for presenta- tion to each legislature and that an appropriation be asked of each for maintenance. It was decided that sub- 1ects for discussion would be selected with more care and that the paper on each, prepared by the several gov ernors, be sent to all governors in ad- vance of the conference, so intelligent discussion could be heard. Future ses- sfons will last a week.
 Plans Made Systematic
 r-t. away from the haphazard manner in which the conferences have been con- ducted and with view of making them more beneficial
 In the afternoon session Governor Wilson asked that Miss Laura Clay, president of the Kentucy Equal Rights association, a branch of the national American Woman's Suffrage association, be allowed to address the conference. Her cause was immediately aided by Governor Shafroth of Colorado, who said she should be granted the priv ilege Miss Clay made an appeal to the governors to recommend equal suf- large to their legislatures.
 General discussion today was on the employers liability and workmen's compensation act. direct primaries and automobile reciprocity. The first re- suited in the adoption of a resolution
 
 vestigating this question supply each governor with their findings.
 The second developed into an experience meeting when many governors explained the election and primary systems of their states. Widely different views were eX- pressed principally on whether it was better for the public if party lines were eliminated or strengthened. This and the previous subject proved the most in teresting of the programme to the gov elnors.
 Automobile Reciprocity
 Automobile reciprocity interested only the eastern governors, where the subject las recently received much attention. This discussion was limited to Governor Fort of New Jersey, Governor Weeks of Connecticut, and Governor Draper Of Massachusetts. All agreed that the laws of New Jersey and Pennsylvania were too strict and that in the near future a uniform law for all the states would be necessary. issssF llKs7
 In his speech on the direct primary, Governor Fort of New Jersey said that money was rapidly losing its hold as a factor in elections, and that young men with high ideals are more and more be- coming factors to be taken into consider ation in politics He said that if the rules of the primary system are observed, '.bossism" is impossible. Party organiza- tons should try to elect, put nave HOll- ing to do with selecting nominees, he de- clared.
 In discussing the same subject, Gov ernor Hadley said it was apparent to students of public affairs that the direct primary had come to stay, and 1t was the abuses of the convention system that had made 1t possible.
 Communications Referred
 No action was taken by the conference cn any consnunications. They were all re ferred to a committee Many important matters were embodied In these commuh- ications. including the report Of the Ma tionaI Civic federation, received also at the last conference and the recommends ton of Senator Root that the conference discuss the subject of a national jail com mission. as recommended by the National Prison Reform association. Governor Sanders asked the governors to aid New Orleans in getting the Panama exposltioh and New York and Jacksonville asked iof fine conference to meet in those cites.
 Before leaving tonight several or the governors said they had reaped great pen ef;ts of the session yesterday afternoon end todav and the only business was Transacted Many regretted the sessions did not extend until Saturday. when other important subjects could have been dis- cussed. . l.,
 Some wanted to hear views on the m come tax amendment, which was not brought up.