New-York tribune., 1918-12-03
GompersW arms
Of Dangers at
Peace Table
He Urges Representatives of
America to Work in Uni
son With All Our Allies
Bolsbeviki Condemned
III. A. W. Wood Tells Civic
Federation Their Aims
Are Grossly Matcrialistic

Warnings against the possibilities Of
Bolshevist and Socialist inroads into
the social fabric Of this country and
pleas for continuance during the re-
construction period Of the spirit of co.
operation which took us successfully
through the war were sounded yester-
day at the industrial conference of the
National Civic Federation, held in the
executive library at Madison Avenue.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor. made
the principal address, an address which
took the form of a solemn warning to
his hearers.
Thus far" he said, "we have lived
our lives alone here in the United Safes
and worked out our own policies. Now.
however, we are at the peace table,
where the representatives Of no one
government can hope to have a con-
trolling voice. 1t may De that the rep
resentatives of the United States may
not find themselves in hearty accord
with the representatives, of the other
countries there, and the question be-
lore those delegates is question of
agreeing On terms-or beginning the
war all over again.
Let US them" he added, "be on our
guard lest at the peace table many of
our liberties are purloined from us
right under our noses"
Mr.. Gompers reiterated his demand
that wages be not permitted to come
down.
Says Hunger Leads to Chaos
"Tou can't get freedom on cmptv
stomachs,' he said "To maintain the
standards OF the American working
people will furnish the greatest i'm
petus to progress, success and civiliza-
ton. But the discomfort Of hungry
people leads only to chaos and reac
ton"
AS one means of stabilizing the tran
sition period Frank Morrison, secretary
Of the American Federation of Labor,
offered resolution petitoning Con-
gress Immediately to appropriate a suf
fclent sum of money to transport all
war workers thrown out of emplovment
by the cessation of hostilities to "pojnts
where they can secure sustaining en-
ployment, and in addition to pay each
worker a stipulated amount during the
period of his enforced idleness as Il re-
suit OF the termination of the war
Another resolution, also offered by Mr.
MORRISON, proposed an absolute ban on
immigration to this country "for d
period of five years, or until such time
as our soldiers and war workers have
secured employment that viii enable
them and their families to live in rea-
sonable comfort"
Mr.. Morrison elaborated upon these
proposals in a brief speech, pointing
to the example of Great Britain as {
generalization guide. Both his reso-
lutions were referred to the executive
committee.
In opening the convention V. Everi'
Macy, president of the National Civic
Federation, who presided. declared tha'
the way to harmonious cooperation lay
through more complete organization
both of employers and employees De
Eeloplng this suggestion Matthew Woll
formerly with the National War La
OF that or some similar government
agency of industrial arbitration.
Scores Extreme Elements
Wheeler P. Bloodeood, of Milwaukee
scored the two "extreme elements"-
the intolerant employers on the on,
hand, the Socialist and Bolshevist OF
the other - and pointed the middl,
course. Other speakers emphasized thi
view of the situation.
The question of government owner
ship, which 1t had been announce,
would be considered, was touched only
incidentally. In talk on the railroad
)b professor Jeremith W. jerks urged al
y impartial and more extended investiga
ton Of the facts.
The most vigorous attack on the Boil
shevIst theories was delivered b,
Henry A. Wise Wood These peopl,
would, he declared, barter away all th,
liberties and principles for which ou
fathers have fought, ever since Runnv
1nede. They are, he affirmed, consti
tutionally opposed to all that ANGLO
Saxons hold dear, and their tenets. IA
from being Of the idealstic natur
they claim, are grossly material Fur
fhermore, he assorted, their scheme
would not work ANYWAY