New-York tribune., 1919-10-17

order that democracy might be
maintained at home, and that its
available in other lands as we'll
Surely it is not consistent for us as
Americans to demand democracy in gov
ernment and practice autocracy in in
dustry.
Representation Idea Advocated
ITO undertake to agree on the de-
tails of plans and methods is apt to
lead to endless controversy without
instructive result. Can we not, how
ever, unite in the adoption of the prin-
clple of representation and the agree
ment to make every effort to secure
the Endorsement and acceptance of this
principle by all chambers of commerce,
industrial and commercial bodies and
all organizations of labor? Such ac-
tion, | feel confident, would be over
whelmingly backed by public opinion
and cordially approved by the Federal
government. The assurance thus given
of a closer relationship between the
parties to industry would further JUS
tice, promote good will and help to
bridge the gulf between capital and
labor.
at is not for this body or any other
body to undertake to determine for
industry at large what form repre-
! ocllIutlOu SUtil takC. OnCS 1HVlHR
adopted the principle of it, is obviously
wise that the method to be employed
should be left in each specific instance
to be determined by the parties in
terested. If there is to be peace and
good will between the several parties
brought about by the enforcement upon
unwilling groups of a method which in
their judgment is not adapted to their
peculiar needs. In this, IS in else,
persuasion is an essential element in
| bringing about conviction. With the
developments in industry what they are
to-day there is sure to come progress
sive e,tlution frmo autocratic single
control, whether by capital. labor or
the state, to democratic cooperation
control by all three. The whole move
mcnt is evolutionary. That which is
! Fundamental is the idea of representa-
ton, and that idea must find express
sion in those forms which will serve
it best, with conditions, forces and
times what they are"
Mr. Morrison spoke with more heated
opposition than did any other speaker.
He took the employers position as a
challenge to labor by organized capital.
Russell Predicts agreement
Mr.. Russell spoke in a happy vein.
lie saw agreements coming. He urged
came from hate but HARM" he said.
"Nothing can ever come from mutual
concessions. mutual good Will, but
good; and it is in that spirit that we
appeal TO the employing class. Cen
tlemen, as Americans, do not place
yourselves in the way Of an under
standing so wonderful as this may be.
| feel that We are going to be unan-
imous in support of this resolution"
Declaring he spoke as a convinced
Socialist Of which the President was
aware, John Spargo pleaded with the
employers to "consider for d moment
where you place yourselves when YOU
say that you will not permit your men
to be represented by representatives of
their own choosing, because, forsooth,
these representatives may not be
chosen from your own plants.
"To-day we are facing a condition
and not a theory. and the essence of
the condition is that we cannot afford
20 have the world go down IN ruin
while you gentlemen on the right settle e
with the gentlemen on the other side.
That is the real problem, and We of
the public. who are trying to represent
the Presidents will. who are trying TO
fulfil his mandate, we say to this con
ference, "We want you to look certain
facts squarely in the face"
ne GltiluueS aSSutnSu DS Sptd NHlo
was enc of the most interesting feat
ures of the session. Mr. Spargo turned
his face toward the employers, resting
a knee against his chair. Mr.. Russell
faced toward the "scats of the mighty
as did all Of the labor speakers. They
. were talking direct to the objectors.
Nest interesting of all was Mr.
Rockefeller. lie stood with hia back tc
the labor group and not three feet from
them. He looked over at the employers
as he glanced up from his paper now
and again. His dominions exceeded
those Cf any man to whom he spoke
His power oyerreached these by many
times.
Tonight there were conferences OF
; all groups There was 10 meeting oi
the general committee. The groups
met in an effort to do two things see
if any possible compromise could bt
reached and see which men might bt
: turned in the voting
In the employers group there vii
farmers will vote for the resolution
=, If the reports circulated tonight con
corning an additional break in the en-
1 ployers' line are true, it is possible tina
= agreement may be reuched.
= The absence Of Judge Gary wa
F. noted early in the day. 1t was sal,
- that in his last group meeting yester
day there were sharp words between
c him and a number OF his fellow dele
|. gates. II was learned. however, tina
= the rumor that he had "bolted" tn
Il conference is without foundation.