The Washington herald., 1913-07-20


II the social problems of America are
ever To be solved It viii be In the spirit
of the sagamore Sociological Conferences
which has Just closed its seventh annual
meeting at Sycamore Beach, Mas.
II IA the get-together idea that solves
our problems, II is the get-together ides
that has made the Sycamore conference
the splendid success IL has become. II
is n hopeful sign Of our times that 40
many people of such widely divergent
views assemble and In good spirit d's-
cuss the conditions and theories that
tend to drive them apart or tend to
draw them together.
Whiie the conference stands for first-
hand facts, face-to-face and heart-to-
heart discussion. It stands just as def
nitely for goodly fellowship. One coUld
not find a crowd that mixes with more
freedom of friendship. that enjoys its. II
more heartily in all wholesome ways than
this crowd There 10 nothing like II n
all America
II meets at Sycamore Beach. Mass.,
which place itself Is unique. This pictur-
esoue resort on the rolling Northern
shore at the base of Cape Cod Is under
the control of a company organized by
those most prominently identified with
the United Society Of Christian En-
deavor. The social atmosphere ut al
times In wholesome and inspiring.
The Sociological Conference. which
opens the Sycamore Beach season. Is
under the leadership Of Mr.. George W.
Coleman, the Boston advertising expert
of Ford Hall fame. II is his idea, ard
his policy and personality dominate. Az
who attend the conference come as ir-
vited guests and they are entertained
without expense to themselves A grour
- T.
bills.
In making UP the list of guests, unity
is sought in diversity. It includes a
bewildering variety Of personalities and
interests. many of them working harino-
niously In different departments Of tn >
great field OF social welfare, some repre-
senting widely different schools of
thought and some quite hostile to each
other In their purposes and methods Il
seeking to serve humanity. II is pos-
stble to get them together in delightful.
friendly fellowship, to round them up
in one auditorium and to have them keep
good-natured while discussing the sound
ness or fallacy. the right or wrong of the
views held by each other, because each
Is working for a single fundamental pur.
pose, the cause Of helping humanity. All
are seeking to improve conditions that
need improving. to secure social justice.
to do good to their fellowmen and to rid
American life of evil. The conference
has earned recognition as one Of the
highly important institutions OF America.
Hostile Elements Mes<s
The meeting this wear far surpa ssed
any previous meeting in dramatic inter-
est and In definite contributions toward
the solution Of certain Industrial prob
lens. although six successful confer
ences had gone before il and given Saga
more nationwide fame. II was a re-
exhibition Of daring, which
seemed to some to approach reckless
ness In bringing together elements no.
toriously hostile to each other and in
bringing onto the same platform on the
same day one Of the leading trust mag
mates and one of the most radical leaders
of the most radical and Revolutionary
abor organization in the world; and
hen, as IL to tempt fate to the limit. |
prominent trades unionist of the most
downright and outspoken convictions. an. |
asonisic to both trust advocate and labor |
'evolutionist was brought into the arena. |,
While dozen divergent points Of views !
we're represented upon the floor in the dis |
'ussion- The Associated Press prepared |
or the Sycamore Conference this year
o an extent unprecedented. because when
was known that George W. Perkins |
nd Arturo NJ. Giovannitti were To speak
here the same day. this expert news or
forecasted a sensation with
he possibility of bloodshed. The Asso-
lated Press was right In anticipating a |
otable day and dramatic discussions, but
) guessed wrong when Il guessed that
here would be trouble, 1t failed to take
ccount Of the spirit of Sycamore and
he ability Of the presiding genius. Mr..
'oleman. whose firm and tactful methods
ender trouble well nigh impossible.
Interest in Gievanaitti.
As one mingled among the thronss of
uests one soon found that the name oil
iiovannitti was on every ones lips and
nat his presence was the subject OF chief
,terest. Those in sympathy with the
Industrial Workers Of the World. oil
'htch Giovannitti Is one of the leaders.
Agard him with an abandon Of admira-
on and reverence, while those who most
adically disagree with him regard him
18th feelings akin to horror and hatred.
{ Sycamore all who had not seen this ,
postle Of the i. w. w. were eager to dol =,
}. and all who had seen him were equal
eager to see him again. He was at !
'nded constantly by his wife. a small : :
roup associated with the.I. w. W., and
circle Of sympathizers and curious on
okers.
Giovannitti looks like big. rotund boy,
fth earnest. poetic face. large. express 9
We eyes. and wavy. dark broken hair 9
vept back from a broad and somewhat I
oping forehead. He carrier his head !
gh. and has q habit Of looking upward q
meditation. Most Of the time he has &
dreamy look suggestive Of the poet and g
ealist. When peaking he soon becomes q
! impassioned orator. He Possesses an
lusual degree OF magnetism: has an
Ireeable. persuasive voice and an Italian '
cent that adds charm to his speech q
lthout rendering il dihicult to UNDER :
and. He has just the qualities calculat. r