Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-12-02
CONDUCT OF STATES IS
THEME OF GOVERNORS
Officials of Many States Dis
cuSS PrbIemS That Confront
Government

LOUISVILLE, KY. Nov. 50.-The
scene of the governors conference SHIFT
ed from Frankfort to Louisville this
morning when a special train brought
the governors. their wives and daugh-
, tiers here, where sessions will be held
until Saturday.
1t was a big task for Frankfort TO
properly entertain so many distinguish
ed guests, but all Of the party arriv-
ing here this morning say the quaint
kentucky capital lived up to the ira
ditiOn of Kentucky's reputation for hos
pitality AS this state has furnished
l05 governors and two presidents Ken
tuckians are proud of the honor of well
coming the first governors conference
The states list Of chief executives Is
soon TO be enlarged TO 1C6, as Governor
elect Cruce. OF Oklahoma, is a Ken
tucGian.
Today the conference settled down
to the work for which they met-dls-
cussing the issues that now confront
many states. The morning session was
given over to short talks on the re-
spOnsibilities OF governor, appoint
ment Of his cabinet, power of removal
and like subjects. The discussion en-
bodied matters pertaining alone to
states. but beginning with the opening
session tomorrow. subjects will be or
national scope.
Among these subjects are conserva-
ton OF national resources and human
life, the income tax. direct primaries,
popular elections of United States sem
ators and the corrupt practices act.
The idea that these conferences and
particularly this one will be of great
benefit to the nation is expressed by
most OF the governors present This
one, more than others. because several
of those here have just been reelected
and among the number are three gov
ernors-elect At previous conferences
there were not so many governors en-
tering upon new terms as at this one.
In his address before the conference
last night Gov-elect woodrow Wilson.
OF New Jersey. declared himself in ia
vor of state regulation of corporations
rather than control by the federal gov
eminent
The last so years have seen this
great continent KNIT together by systems
Of railway and telegraph and tele-
phone" said Mr.. Wilson.
More and more completely has the
network spread over every region and
quarter Of the great area.
I'VE have no foolish or pedantic jeal-
ousy of federal power. We believe in
the exercise of the federal powers to
the utmost extent wherever it is neces-
sary that they should be brought into
action for the common benefit But
we do not believe the Intervention of fed
eral powers eiuer necessary or desira-
BILE We are not attempting a task of
meaIation; neither are We trying to fend
off revolution. We are striving nei-
Their to defend the states nor 20 resist
the development of the federal govern
ment as the instrument of the common
life of the country. Our function is
one OF leadership.
We sseek cooperation, but can wear
no straight-jacket. The task Of right
regulation, for example. in the case OF
common carriers, in particular, in whose
business spans over score OF states,
is a task in which we must cooperate
with one another and with the reaeral
authorities though ii may be that local
regulation may without injustice or Sc
rious breach OF common practice be
Iased upon different calculation and
different elements OF business in differ
emit commemorative. Variety will not
impair energy if there be genuine coop
Grafton and a real common understand
ing such as we ought to be able to bring
about"