Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-05

Atlantic City, N. j., Dec. 4.--four
thousand men representing virtually
every branch of business and industry
in the country, assembled here today
in q reconstruction congress, listened
TO messages on readjustment problems
delivered by Secretary of Commerce
William c. Redfield Charles NJ.
Sehwab, head of the Bethlehem Steel
corporation, and Director General OF
the Emergency Fleet corporation and
Harry A. Wheeler, president of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States.
Mr.. Wheeler, amid great applause,
urged that American business should
be represented at the peace conference
in France Mr.. Schwab made an APP
peal for a great merchant marine TO
gite outlet to surplus American pro-
ducts and declared that labor should
be permitted to organize in individual
plants and share in the prosperity OF
the country Secretary Redfield said
that no rash hands should he laid on
wages; that the proper spirit of trade
is not excessive profits but service and
that the American business man
should take into account moral values
when dealing with his customers IN ali
lands.
There was some talk here tonight
that a committee of American busi-
ness and industrial men might be sent
to Europe during the peace negotia-
tions.
Secretary Redfield prefaced his
speech with the statment that his re-
marks were not to be taken as an Of
flicial announcement. Il am more
and more impressed" said Mr.. Red
field, lin reading current discussions
and reflecting upon them with the
truth that readjustment is very large
ly q state of mind---that it requires not
so much a program of q fixed line Of
procedure as an evolution. While we
are discussing, it the process of read
justment is proceeding almost silently
all about us"
Help Other Countries.
He made plea that helpful hano
be extended to the countries that suf-
fered through the ruthlessness of the
central powers.
Mr.. Schwab's appeal for merchant
marine struck q responsive chord. A
great merchant marine is essential fai
the ultimate success Of the United
States, he said. and its successful
operation is not for the benefit of any
one man or class of men or any one
branch of business, but for the good o.
every citizen of the country.
II do not care" he added. "wha
plan may be best for the operation oi
these ships SO long as they are oper.
ated economically and SO long as thu
expense of operation is borne by the
whole people. No American shipping
can be successful or enlist private cap
ital today, as shipping is now oper
ated.
Speaking on private ownership o.
Industries, Mr.. Sehwab said:
1.-THE real development of any grea
enterprise depends on the individual
initiative Of the American business
man. / do not believe we will eve
get the full economic development o.
any great Iranch of American industr,
that is not developed under private en-
terprise and by private capital"
Taking up the question of labor, Mr.
Schwab said.
II am one of the men who believe
| in the fairness of American labor. ]
am one of the men who believe thai
the only foundation upon which any.
thing can permanently rest is the eco
nomic use OF everything. whether II
be labor, material. manufacture OF
what not Any foundation Of organ
ICED labor or capital that Is on a false
| basis must fail. We started in some
| twenty years ago on a series OF ex-
plOitations that many people called