The Washington herald., 1919-03-04
In Face Of President 5 Grave
Warning Conferences
Brings Almost Unanimous
Reports Of Satisfactory
Conditions.
DISCHARGED SOLDIERS
NOT TO co JOBLESS
Secretary Wilson and Other
Members Of Cabinet Paint
a Glowing Picture Of the
Better Times That Are IN
Prospect.

NSttCi AtAAkCS udt nIS Id
Prospect.
Governors and representatives OF
forty-five States and mayors Of
scores Of the leading industrial CEN
ters of the nation gathered in the
East Room Of the White House yes
terday to enlist their powers with
federal agencies in meeting the
crisis in unemployment which the
early return of more than a million
and half soldiers threatens
Although. in opening the three
day session. President Wilson spoke
with gravity Of the great RESPONSE
bility which rests upon the nations
executives in the days Of recon
struction now d8wninE. the FIRST
days conference brought almost
report that conditions are
generally satisfactory and that each
State and city is confident that all
labor released from the. army will
be absorbed.
The President struck the keynote
OF the great conference when he
said. We are expressing and will.
] believe. express in the resuI ~
this conference our consciots So
that we are the servants O. -
great silent mass OF people who on
stttute the United States and sl
as their servants, IL is our bus q
as IL is our privilege. TO hnc IA
how we can best assist in ms zinE
their lives what they wish the u
be. giving them the opportut Its
that they ought TO have. assi-tfnr
by public counsel in the privats ~
fairs upon which the hsppiness q
man depends" ~
Must BE UrseIa.h-
In closing bis short address he @
in speaking Of the Dry of the d a
delegates to the pecus., nf the ,ror /
If We show wa WE,nt t. serve r.
interests but theirs we viii have T.
come candidates for the most las
discredit that will ever attach TO
in history"
Secretary Wilson followed the Pr
dent with an address which was &
sidered a mastery statement Of
dustrial conditions He outlined =
weapons for trade the country haf -
result Of the war. sketched the
forts at BOlshevism and their fail1
and predicted for the world in
coming decade it's greatest period q
industrial activity. In stating the u
iect OF the conference. however. n
said:
There is now a surplus OF lat
and the Federal government has d.
leased control Of the finances 80 that
credits are nov available To me the
one great method OF forming a reser-
voir for buffer employment is 10 have
the Federal government engage in its
normal improvement activities and 90
have every state and municipal gov
eminent do likewise
Ready TO Pay on.
Secretary of War Baker caused sp-
plaUse by a concise statement explain
ing that all obstacles have been re-
moved and that yesterday the ma
chinery got underway for adjusting
and making payments on all arm
contracts. including the so-cslled
formal and informal contracts. Nil
lions Of dollars will be paid to meet
these claims. he said, and will prove
a powerful stimulus for the manu-
facturers.
Secretary Daniels told Of the navy's
plans. and although he did not evince
great hope that the big naval pro
gram proposed at this session OF Con-
gress would pass. he indicated that
previous appropriations will keep the
ship yards busy for many months on
wsrships needed by the country.
As the day progressed the feeling
OF optimism increased until IL sp-
pesred that representatives would
conclude that no pressing problem
exists. But Delegates from the cities
who will be heard stated that their
reports Of the labor situation will tei1
a far different story at the session
today.
Buffet Lancheou Served.
Following the morning session,
buffet luncheon was served In the
State dining room, the guests being
received by President and Mrs. Will
son.
At the afternoon meeting conf
dence speedily grew in the ability OF
the nations executive to meet the
demands of the country. The only
pessimistic report heard by the con-
ference was that OF Governor Corn
well OF West Virginia. who said that
practically half the coal miners were
- VI WIN AAA AAs GAdNE REldArt Afl~
operators were unable TO book new
orders, their customers holding back
in the hope OF lower prices.
Reports from the governors or rep
resentauves Of sixteen States. IN
summary showed:
Arizona-A billion pounds OF copper
thrown on the market recently have
drJgged IL, with the result that 5000
miners are working short shifts or
are out Of work. Buffer. or temporary
work, is being rapidly designed 10
take care Of the men but need OF .
special agent from the government to
restoreythe morale OF the business
men Is needed.
Delawaro-No soldiers who retur-
will fail to find a Job. The situation
Is far from serious More than .s.eoa
600 TO be spent on good roads.
Florida--Could use labor " Il VIII
work at fair price. Many project.
for drainage and Improvement Of
roads contemplated.
Georgia--Conditions in labor mar
ket are generally as satisfactory a.
could be reasonably expected Sol
dierS needed FOR farm work.
Illinois About 1000 arc idle, %
which fOra arc women. about 500
men 70 be given work on State roads
to cost ss0.eosoOO and 5000 10 WORK on