The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-10-04
MUST ASCERTAIN
WORLD CONDITIONS
RY HOLLAND

New York, October 3-(SpecaL)-At
the conference which is to begin on Mon
day of next week at Washington, and
by President Wilson as the representa-
tives of capital, of labor and of business
will take part, one of the first sugges-
tons which will be according to good
authority, made, is this, namely, that IL
the conference is to be of any value it
must in the first place have before it a
clear understanding, not merely of the
present-day friction between labor and
capital, but also worldwide conditions.
Very likely it will be set forth at the
beginning of the conference that not
only in the actual field of labor and cap
ital, but also in that of world politics,
world finance and world industry stu
alton now exists which is without any
precedent. First of all attention may be
, called, certainly will be called in pri-
vate and informal discussion, to certain
conditions which now prevail in Europe.
There has come to this country recently
a report that President Wilson while
, he was in Europe was misunderstood.
That may not be true of Great Britain,
but it is reported to be the truth so far
as France and Italy is concerned. What
ever promises the President made have
been interpreted in France and Italy as
give not merely moral aid and support.
but financial and other aid, to as great
an extent as the need for such aid rep
resents.
This undoubtedly is due to misunder-
standing of all that President Wilson
said. He undoubtedly did give assur-
ance that from the United States would
come moral support and sympathy, and
that these would avail much. But those
in the city who were familiar with the
Presidents attitude when at Paris are
certain that he gave 10 promises OF the
kind which in France and Italy he is now
believed to have given. There IS mis-
understanding and to it is in part due
some of the embarrassments and serious
difficulties which they are now expert
encng in France and in Italy. This
may, unless the misunderstanding is
ended, cause conditions which make 1t
less easy satisfactorily to adjust rela-
tons between so-called capital and
labor.
FINANCIAL UATION
Then again the financial situation which
is peculiar and will remain peculiar for
some time must be understood II there is
to be satisfactory understanding be-
tween capital and labor Europe is call
ing for credit or other financial assis-
lance from the United States, and there
is no well informed man who is not con-
WINGED that these calls are JuSJined, ana
that they must be met ii it is possible
to do so. But exactly how are they to
be met? Individuals and corporations and
banking institutions are to some extent
answering the call. Yet it is believed
to be inevitable that normal conditions
cannot be secured in Euroep or IN Great
Britain unless in some way the united
States government sponsors. not neces-
sarily guarantees, very large financial
assistance.
Until the evidence becomes excellent
that normal conditions are soon 10 be Sc
cured then il is certain that there must
continue unrest, dissatisfaction and even
distrust characterizing the relation be-
tween capital and labor. When Europe
becomes normal or when it is recognized
that normal conditions there are on the
way. then American industries or all
kinds will be stimulated to their highest
point. Employment for all who are will
ing to work and employment which will
be we'll paid and long continued Will
surely follow the restoration or even
gradual restoration of normal conditions
in Europe.
INDUSTRIAL SITUATION
At present American industries are well
occupied many of them to their capac-
ity The enormous volume and money
value of our exports to Europe furnish
excellent proof of the truth of this state
rnent But the industries can be speeded
I'm to their highest capacity when nor
NAL conditions prevail in Europe and
when thus speeded up there will be em-
ployment enough for all in the United
States not only in the manufacturing but
in the agricultural industries. Labor
win receive remuneration which repre-