The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-06
GOVERNORS FIGHT
OYER RESOLUTIONS
Question of Approving U. s.
Aid for Public Utilities Causes
Bitter Debate.
wEsTERNERS wRATHY
Conference Committee on Rec
concentrations Makes Va
riety Of Suggestions.


troversy ragged in the conference Of Gov
ernors and Mayors to-day before the re-
port Of the committee on resolutions.
making a great variety OF recommends
lions on public questions. finally was
adopted.
Even after the viva voce vote dele
gates from the West, led by Mayor
Rolph OF San Francisco. attempted to
force q record vote to show that they
dissented from the majority but were
overruled by Secretary of Labor Wilson,
who presided.
Adjournment was taken after Mayor
Rolph and Gov. Cox of Ohio, chairman
Of the committee on resolutions. had
risen on questions of personal privilege
concerning their championship Of oppos-
ing sides in the debate.
The resolutions. which Gov. Cox an
nounced were submitted unanimously
after elimination of all partisan sub
jects. condemned doctrines which in
Weigh against God and government. They
also recommend that the Government
should mot only prepare for the trans
portation necessities OF prosperity but
use the railroads as The means OF help
ing private industry" by carrying out
the programme Of improvements.
Expressly disclaiming approval of tx
ing Of costs, the resolutions sanctioned
Government approval of price schedules
as step toward establishing a new
basis of values. Reduction OF freight
rates on all building material. especially
road material. was suggested. II was
declared that reduction Of wages should
come only as a result Of reduced living
costs.
what Conference Favors.
Recommendation was made that the
Federal Government continue it's help
full Offices" with the view to averting
serious consequences" in the financial
affairs of public utilities. Settlement OF
Government contracts, lifting of govern
mental restrictions on industry and ma
terials as soon as possible and continue
ton OF the Federal survey OF natural
resources started during the war were
asked.
The conference also deplored discon-
tinuance of Federal employment agen-
cies and urged rehabilitation OF the
army by local draft boards. =
The section relating to public utilities
was attacked vigorously by Mayor Hoan
of Milwaukee. who moved that It be
stricken out. the motion being supported
by Mayor Meyers OF Minneapolis. E. T
HARDER of Kansas City and others.
Mayor Hoan wanted to know who
sent the stacks OF kilograms which
Gov. Cox reported had reached the com.
mittee favoring the declaration. He and
Mayor Meyers declared the clause inter.
fered with local sovereignty and Mr.
Harder said aid like that given by the
War Labor Board in the Kansas City
strike did more harm than good
Ma Ia Ear NJ
swerng for his colleagues OF the CON-
mittee. Governor Cox. Governor 3ilbo OF
Mississippi, Governor Sproul of Pennsyl-
vana. Mayor Peters of Boston. and
George Foster Peabody. representing
the Governor Of New York, said the tele-
grams had been addressed to President
Wilson, who sent them to the commit
tee.
They came from the traction inter
ests." shouted Mayor Holm.
Don't get excited" the Portland ex-
ecutive replied. i've pulled that cor
poration stun just as you are doing and
1t goes well with your constituents. but
advocate this section because we
ought TO have some Government agency
to help us in difficulties which cannot
be settled locally"
Motion to strike out the clause was
defeated "a to 81. The controversy be-
tween Governor Cox and Mayor Rolph
arose out OF a resolution which the
Mayor introduced early In the day. de-
handing that President Wilson recon
vene Congress to pass upon measures,
condemning tho building OF American
ships in Chinese and Japanese yards
while contracts IN this country were be
ing cancelled and favoring the principle
of collective bargaining
In reporting the committees decision,
not to accept the resolution Gov. Cox
said he would be glad to give reasons II
desired.