Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-03
President Urges
Aid for WOrknien
Continucd from rsEe One

Continued from rsEe One
retary 60 perfect cooperation with the
Department OF Labor and the counch
Of national defense for employment
activities
Roclting the terrible human losses OF
the war and vast expenditures OF money
the War Secretary said;
The time for the United states 10
do the greatest service TO mankind is
now" Hc added that the United states
should set an example of solidarity OF
government and that one essential 10
this was to restore normal conditions or
employment and industrial activity as
soon as possible.
Daniels Makes Address
Speaking OF the fear of a period of un-
employment entertained by some, Sccre-
tary Daniels in an address said:
81 am not one Of those who believe
there will be general unemployment. The
demand of the world for what America
makes will be so great there will he
q job for every man who wants to
work"
lie paid this tribute 60 labor:
Labor heard the call as truly as the
men who wore the uniform and closed
his address by predicting an era Of pros
perity.
ne tlu bl llf Ndl VIII l'N t'N
US GO back to the small navy which
we had before the war;" Secretary Dan
icls said in pointing out that constant
building repairing and altering of ships
would offer employment TO large num-
bers of men.
As against 3G. OOO skilled men employ
cd in the navy yards before the war,
he said, there were today $4,000 em-
ploycd. and on the Nay OF the armistice
$4,000. For the navy for the next few
months there will be no unemployment
"Mcn skilled in shpbuldng." said the
Secretary, "can find plenty Of employ
mcnt at fair wages with the navy and
thus We can tide over the days before
the return to normal conditions"
To Protect small Industries
Mr. Daniels outlined efforts Of the
department to protect smaller industries
engaged in navy war work Plants haV-
ing munitions contracts he said may
now he asked TO mako small parts of
destroycrs and other ships to I've assem-
blcd in larger shops
After tho morning session tho con-
rcrccs had buffet lunch with the Prcsi-
dent
The President had surprised every
body by delivering his addros. in bidding
the governors and mayors welcome. ON
the progrom the President was placed
10 follow Secretary Wilson, but when
the latter concluded his remarks and
formally presented the President. the
latter said he had made his speech and
gave way to other speakers after invit-
ing the guests To lunch
More than l7O MAYORS or their rep
rcsentativcs and score Of governors
had registered at the conference before
noon. About half the states were rep
resented by subordinate officials or by
citizens named by the governors
The governors attending were. Town
send, Delaware: Cats. Florida Dorsey,
Georgia IlarinE, Iowa: Stanley, Ken
lucky: Pleasant. Louisiana Millikcn.
Maine: Harrington. Maryland Coolidge.
Mass. Sleeper. Michigan: Blbo, Miss
ssippi; Bartlett, New Hampshire Edge,
New Jersey; Cox. Ohio: Sproul. Penn
sylvania Cooper. South Carolina Rob
crts, Tennessee Davis, Virginia Corn
well, West Virginia, and Wager, Porto
Rico.
with a threatened shortage in the
normal labor supply OF from three to
No million workers in the United States
and prospects of a wave of general pros
pCrity after a short period of read just
ment Of Industry. it would be folly Sec
retary Wilson said in opening remarks,
to attempt reduction of wages now.
He declared that industry should climi-
nat" extra profits to which il has been
accustomed TO during the war, adding
that many manufacturers were disposed
10 hold down activities because of alb
ormal prices. Proper disposition on the
part of industry made it possible, he
thought, for prices to come down with
out affecting existing
1t will he one year before the nations
military forces are fully demoblized, he
predicted, and as rehabilitation must he
gradual. the labor shortage is bound TO
exist.