Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-10-23

what they considered Just principles and
that they were willing to stand on the
record of the conference.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
The Presidents message follows::
"To the ladies and gentlemen OF the
, industrial conference:
II am advised by your chairman that
you have come to situation which
appears to threaten the life of your
conference, and because of that I am
presuming to address word of very
solemn appeal to you as Americans. 1t
| is not for me to assess the blame for
| the present condition. ] do not speak
| in a spirit of criticism of any individ-
ual or group. But having called this
| conference ! feel that my temporary
indisposition should not bar the way
| to frank expression of the serious
ness of the position in which this coun-
! try will be placed should you adjourn
without having convinced the American
people that you have exhausted your
resourcefuness and your patience in
an effort to como to some common
agreement.
AT time when the nations of the
world are endeavoring to find a way Of
avoiding international war. are we to
found for carrying on industry except in
the spirit and with the very method Of
war? Must suspicion and hatred and force
rule us in civil life? Are our industrial
leaders and our industrial workers to live
together without faith in each other, con-
stantly struggling for advantage over each
Q her doing naught but what is compelled?
MY friends this would be an in
tolerable outlook, prospect unworthy
| of the large things done by this people in
the mastering of this continent-indeed,
| It would he an invitation to national dis
aster. From such a possibility my mind
turns away. for my confidence is abiding
that in this land we have learned now to
accept the general Judgment upon matters
that affect the public veal. And this is
the very heart and soul
! at is my understanding that you have
divided upon one portion only Of a pos
sible large program which has not fully
been developed Before a severance is
affected, based upon present differences,
believe you should stand together for the
development Of that full program touch
| ing the many questions within the broad
scope OF your Investigations 1t was In
mind when this conference was called
/ that you would concern yourselves with
| tne discovery VI tnOSF 1nelllOuS Dy WHlCn
a measurable cooperation within in
dustry may have been secured and if new
machinery needs to be designed by which
n minimum of conflict between employers
and employees may reasonably be hoped
( for, that we should make an effort to Sc
cure Its adoption. 1t cannot be expected
that at every step all parties will agree
upon each proposition or method sug-
gested 1t is to be expected, however, that
as whole, plan or program can be
agreed upon which will advance further
/ the productive capacity of America
through the establishment of surer and
heartier cooperation between all the
elements engaged in industry. The public
expects not less than that you shall have
that one end in view and stay together
until the way Is found leading to that
end or until 1t is revealed that the men
who work and the men who manage
American industry are so set upon
divergent paths that all effort at CO.
operation is doomed to failure
| Il renew my appeal with full apprehen-
sion OF the almost incompatible impor-
| tance of your tasks to this and to other
peoples. and with full faith In the high
patriotism and good faith of each other
that you push your task to a happy con-
clusion.
'Signed)
| WOODROW WILSON"