Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-04
OPTIMISM PROVES
DOMINATING note
AT CONFERENCE
State and City Executives
Make Encouraging La
Dor Reports.
R0AD.BUILDING PROGRAMS
IN MANY COMM0NWEALTKS
Not Enough Men Out of Work
to Justify Serious Ap-
prehcnsion.
PRESIDENT GREETS DELEGATES
Says Government Will Cooperate
With Local Authorities In Meet
Ing Reconstruction Needs.
PRESIDENT GREETs DELEGATES

~
WASHINGTON. March 3-Governore
or States and Mayors Of municipali-
ties. meeting today in the White House
20 discuss al!cviation OF unemployment,
neard President Wilson in "A brief ad-
dress emphasize the principle that gov
ernments should serve in the interests
OF the common people.
In this spirit he urged that the Fed
cral. state and local governments work
together I'm steadying and casing and
facilitating the whole labor processes
OF the United States"
After listening to addresses by Sec
rctaries Wilson. Baker and Daniels. the
Governors undertook 10 repor: in turn
on unemployment within their re-
spec,ive states A majority declared
ihcre were not enough men out OF
Work in their communities 10 Justify
serious apprehension, although all ad-
Vocated Immediate action BY, State,
county and city governments to pro-
mote road building and other public
works. thus furnishing a buffer reser-
s6,r OF employment during the period
and war industries are converting
MOST STATES ADOPT
RoAD-BUILDING PROGRAMS
Mos, States already have adopted
programs OF road building. 1t appeared.
had difficulty in convincing local au-
thorities and, private industries to go
ahead with improvements now. without
awaiting an expected reduction In
wages and material coste
The Governors echoed the optimistic
notes sounded by Cabinet members
who spoke. Secretary Wilson, who
presided at the conference in tho East
Room. predicted AN actual labor short
age within teh next year instead OF a
surplus.
To combat social unrest he urged in
dustrlal leaders 10 elimInste mildly
the extra profits OF war times. Sec
rethry Daniels said he did not believe
@tsAsSSsetstouid 20 Eeneraf InST bl l6ym en..
ahoTs0S csted many men would find
Secretary Baker declared the United
States could do most good TO the world
Just now by showing solidarity Of gov
ernmental. SOCIAL and business condi-
lions. Z.
The conference unanimously adopted
resolution irdorslnS a statement by
Secretary Of i.abor Wilson that II was
sons advocating the overthrow OF the
government Ly fcrec.
Jhc President said ne hoped the con-
terepc. discussion would assume
vide range. including means OF restor-
inf labor conditions TO a normal basl.
as soon as pnssibie. and TO effecting
ouStry as the circumstances may make
PEACE COSFEREES ARE
SERVANTS OF WORLD
TouchiEH upon the peace conference,
ne said the cor!erees at Paris regarded
IE:mseives only as servants of about
.0o.oco.tOt people OF the world, and
not as their masters.
Consequently. said the President, the
confe-ees are anxious 10 keep In close
sympathy With The peoples whom they
represent TO ILd oi:t how we can best
assist Il, making their lives what they
1.N h..
opportunity thss they ought, TO have"
Tho i':esident spoke briefly. con-
aalns himself Largely to welcoming
Federal cooperation. He explained
that tho demands upon his time during
iMs day and half he could remain in
him to participate in the conference
NOTHING DELIBERATE
PEnMiTTED HIM NOW
Th= President said:
wish that could promise myself
;he pleasure and the profit OF. taking
part in youa deliberations. find thai
nothins deliberate is permitted me
sinSe my return. have been trying,
ander Wr 1,,e,,i inc suiuanee OF my secretary.
.~rek. and | am hoping that not all
OF 4 has been done badly. but mas
sraIeh nare Us us mere is a necessary pres
VIII excuse ne from takins.a part in
your conference, much as l should be
pTouteo ny OOlnR SO.
MY pleasant duty is to bid Won q
hearty welcome and to express nv
sratifica tion tnat so many executives
81 cities and OF States have found the
tune and the inclination to come to-
gether on the very important matter
We have TO discuss.
The primary duty Of caring for our
people In the intimate matters that we
want to discuss here, of course, fails
upon the States and upon the muni-
Qualities. and the function Of the Fed
erai. government is-to do what it is
trying to do in a conference OF this
sort--draw the executive minds OF the
country together. SO that they may
proht by each others suggestions and
erWce ana 10 SO 5hat we may offer
anything that they may deem 1t. wise
10 coordinate. In other words, 1t Is
me privilege Of the Federal govern
the servants OF the executives of the
States and municipalities and counties,
and we shall perform that duty with
the greatest pleasure IL you will guide
us with your suggestions.
HOPES DISCUSSIONS
WILL TAKE WIDE SCOPE
Il hope that the discussions of this
conference Will take as wide a scope
as you think necessary We are not
met to discuss any single or narrow
proper method OF restoring all the la
Dor conditions OF the country to a
normal basis as soon as possible, and
10 effect such fresh ALLEGATIONS OF labor
and industry as the circumstances may
mako necessary.
II think I can testify from what !
have seen on the other sdo of the
water that we are more fortunate than
other nations In respect TO these great
problems. Our Industries have been
disturbed and Observation-Disclosures
ized as compared with peace bas ls,
very seriously indeed by the war. but
hn Ind, trt,
other countries, and 1t seems to me.
therefore, that we should approach
CONTINUED, on Second Page.)