The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-09-12
OF
 LABOR TROUBLE
 EXPECTED SOON

khPEGtED SUUN
 Washington, Sept 12-One Of the noteworthy features of the summon ing of conference of capital and la- bor for nexa month by President Wilson has been dwelt upon but little. though it Is of vast importance In the minds of many close observers at tho national capital. including some lawmakers. That is the great feel ing of relief among all classes at the ready and openhauded manner in which the really big labor organiza- tions met the Presidents proposal
 There have been pessimists plenty in Washington of late, and not all , confined to the class commonly term ed Cap.talistic which sees in every demonstration of union labo- strength a transported TeiuCarna ton of BOI- shevism. There is little doubt, aC- cording to official Washington. that the pessimism was without foUnda ton in fact, but there was one United States senator of the progressive type. too. and friendly toward labor. who believed terrible times were ahead in America. He turned his property into cash and advised his friends to do likewise.
 Yesterday found this same senator minus his gloom and willing to admit that Russian conditions would not be reproduced in the United States in the immediate future. His fears of replicas of l. nine and Trotsky ap- -sr--- T,.- lf1 because the national chiefs If labor in America accepted the Presidents conference suggest. n with enthusi- asm and without sembIance of a threat.
 Probably l should have known America and Americans better" said this senator. for, after all, the Amer ican is a pretty sane person and works his way out of some tight holes. The prompt and cheery acceptance by the labor men of the Presidents proposal to hold a conference of real, live rep vns7ntatives of capital and those who work proves cOncIusively that the intelligent element is firmly fixed in the labor saddle and is justifying the confidence that progressive Americans always have felt toward that important factor in our indus trial life. President Wilson always has believed in the intelligence and fairness of labor if the vital proposi- tious were put before them plainly and without chicanery. The events of the last few days have justified his faith and afford another instance of his knowledge of national men and affairs.
 "It is the labor question that has caused so much anguish in the minds of certain Republican Senators who are busily e1gss,ed in fighting the Peace Treaty, and especially the ] eague of Nations covenant. I hon. estly believe that next to the fear and dislike of seeing President Wilson accomplish anything. these Repuli- can Senators are more apprchensive of labor than anything else. Many of them la,sed the courage of Senator Fall in desiring that all labor causes be stricken from the covenant. but all have that feeling in their hearts, I am sure.
 "Cousequan the hearty readiness of labor jo suspend strikes pending am honest attempt by Congress. under administration urodding. 10 find some practical remedy for the high cost of liyiug. has caused renewed political appreheusious in the minds of Re publican leaders. Labor yielded to the logic of the Presidents persuasion and tht result has been that a feel ing of calm confidence has settled upon the country. The interval of a month or six weeks before the con- ference is held will go far toward settling affairs and reducing prices. I believe, and business of all sorts has shown its relief, and also it's belief in what the future will bring forth.
 Contemplating the occurrences of the last week or so it seems to me as if the labor situation again emphasizes the lineup today. It is visible in the fight for the League covenant and the attempt to eliminate the labor clauses. ! would call it another battle between Woodrow Wilson's ideaIism and the Republican "stand-patters" material ism. The former has won before and I believe it will win again"
 That this senator is not alone in his views of the industrial situation is evidenced by the obvious attempts of Republican leaders in Congress to rob the President of any particular credit for what promises to be the most mOmentous conference of cap ital and labor ever held in this coun- try. Privately they admit that they let another opportunity for rattling good parry publicity slip away. and mourn the failure of their Chieftains to see the possibility of this same idea when resolutions for something of the same character were introduced in Senate and House some weeks ago. Instead of there being any reCogni- ton of a valuable idea the resolutions were allowed to slumber, presumably in committee, even the authors being so COmplaisant regarding their smothering as to indicate that they, too, failed to realize the ma gnitude of their suggestions.
 As it is the President is again awarded the palm for arousing public approval by prompt action in a situa- ton that might have become ticklish. Capital sees an oppo- unity to talk over matters in the calm of a con- ference with no sword of labor Damocles suspended over their heads; labor has again proved It's fairness and 'temperateness and so en- hanced its standing with the Ameri-