New-York tribune., 1919-02-28
George
Gains Strength
In Labor Fight e
Continued from page l

who opened the conference, announced
that the government has decided to re-
duce the unemployment allowance and
that the national factories built during
the war would be sold to private manu-
facturers. Both announcements were
severely criticised by all labor leaders,
including J. R. Clynes, Arthur Hender-
son and j. H. Thomas, and the Pre-
mier's defence Of his policy apparently
did not change their views.
Princess pats" Wedding Near
Across the way Princess Patricias
wedding drew thousands around West
minister Abbey, but the head of the
British government considered the in
dustrial gathering of greater import
ance. Now and again some Of the more
radical of the workers representatives
would launch violent protest against
the inequality of wealth distribution
and would criticise bitterly the system
whereby some capitalists grew richer
during the war, or even attack the con-
ditions which permitted the Princess
Patrcia's, a favorite with all classes,
to live in luxury. But they we're only
the buccaneers.
The real leaders of labor pleaded for
cooperation, for better conditions for
the masses through an opportunity to
work, for minimum wage which would
assure decent living conditions for all,
for international labor legislation
which would limit the working hours
the world over. Labor, the leaders de-
clared, is determined never to return
to pre-war conditions and intends to
shorten the hours of labor materially.
The labor leaders demanded the right
to become real partners in the sharing
of profits as we'll as responsibilities.
Labor is determined upon the state
ownership Of mines. the speakers as
serted as we'll as railways and mercan-
tile transportation. These demands are
OF the moderates, which gives an ind-
cation of the gigantic strides labor in
tends to take over here
When the employers spoke it was in
a spirit OF conciliation and coopera-
ton. Unemployment is increasing here
though it is not as widespread as be-
fore the war. Mr.. Lloyd George made
no startling announcement. He did not
defend the government. He did not
attack either side. He spoke as one
seeking information and looking for
the solution of the problem, which is
just as complicated as the war emer-
gency that prompted him to appeal to
the people in the dark days of 1918 to
hold fast.
Living Cost Decreasing
The cost of living is going down, he
said. but it would be years before it
can reach the pre-war figures. Until
the industrial machinery is in operation.
the Premier averred, unemployment
must increase. Until the prcliminarics
of peace are signed which he horcd
would take place in very few weeks
it would be difficult to restore conf
dence, and without confidence the res
toration of prosperity and the elimina-
ton of unemployment are impossible.
The Premier showed to-day that he
IS going to try to win the support
OF the labor leaders outside the gov
ernment. He showed a desire to en-
list the services especially of Messrs.
Henderson, Clynes and Thomas, who
weld the greatest power over labor.
The real test is still to come. 1t is
only the big and powerful unions. such
as those constituting the "triple al
nance, which arc causing worry, but
the great mass OF the workers arc
poorly organized and generally poorly
paid.
Whether this conference will reach
decisions satisfactory TO them the
future alone will show. Mr.. Lloyd
George made big advance to-day.