Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-03
SAYSNATI0N
WILL ASSIST
Tells State and City
Chief Duty of All Is to
the Plain People.

Washington, March 5-Opening
the White house conference OF gov
ernors and mayors on peace time
business and labor problems today.
President Wilson promised that the
federal government would con-
slider itself the servant OF the
states, municipalities and counties
in solving readjustment problems,
and would perform its duty guided
by suggestions of the conference.
The president said he hoped the
conference discussion would as
sumo a wide range, including
means OF restoring labor condi-
tions to a normal basis as soon
as possible, and to etfeCting such
fresh ALLEGATIONS of labor and in
dustry as the circumstances may
make necessary"
Touching upon the peace COLI
ference, he said the conferees at
Paris regarded themselves only as
servants of about O0000,0oo
people of the world and not as
their masters.
To Aid People is Chief Aim.
Consequently, said the president,
the conferees are anxious to keep
in close sympathy with the peoples
whom they represent TO find out
how we can best assist in making
their lives what they wish them to
be by giving them the opportunity
that they ought to have
The president spoke briefly, con-
fining himself largely to welcoming
the visitors and promising complete
federal cooperation. He explained
that the demands upon his time
during the day and a half he could
remain in Washington made it i'm
possible for him to participate in
the conference.
Strikes BolsheVih Move,
I Secretary OF Labor Wilson who
presided at the opening session,
told the conference that the recent
strikes at Seattle. Butte, Lawrence
and other places we're not indus
tiial economic disputes in their or
iEin, but were results Of a deliber-
ate, organized attempt at q social
and political movement to establish
soviet governments in the United
States.
Owe Every Man o Chance.
Secretary Wilson said that even
during industrial activity 100000
workers are unemployed represent
ing the turning over of labor.
He added;
Il don't believe any country
owes every man living, but do
believe every country owes every
man a chance to earn q living.
Because Of threatened shortage
of work incident 10 slowness of de-
mobilization buffer employment
must be found, he said, and the best
means of furnishing this lay in the
government Immediately engaged
in normal construction of public
work. To provide labor with EN-
ployment in this way. he declared
would unite the workers and would
not improve fertile field for prop
aganda and false philosophy and
prevent a possible decade Of un-
rest.
@Big Duty Now Baker.
Secretary Baker followed Secre-
tary Wilson and explained the war
departments method in cancellinE
contracts so as tn accomplish
great saving TO the government
without demoralizing industry or
disturbing labor
Reciting the terrible human
losses of the war and vast expendi-
lures of money, the war secretary
said:
1.-The time for the United States
to do the greatest service to man
kind is now"
He added that the United States
should set an example Of solidarity
of government and that alone es-
sential to this was TO restore nor
mai conditions of labor and indus
trial activity as soon as possible.
Daniels Optimistic.
Speaking OF the fear Of a period
of unemployment entertained by
some. Secretary Daniels said.
Il am not one Of those who be
Iieve there will be general unem-
ployment. The demand Of the world
for what America makes will he so
great there will be a job for every
man who wants to work"
He paid this tribute 10 labor:
Labor heard the call as truly az
the men who wore the uniform
and closed his address by predict
ing an era of prosperity.