The sun., 1919-02-28
BRITISH LABOR
IN BIG C0NCLAVE
100000 Workers Repre-
sented in Epoch Making Par
lament With Employers.
LLOYD GEORGE ATTENDS
Wedding of Princess Pat
Across the Street Stirs
Radical Oratory.
LLOYD GEORGE ATTENDS
Special Gable Despatch 70 Tur Sun.

tODtT'gNt, 1917 uN FtpHlS fcSeftcd.
LONDON, Feb. 27.-Despite the un-
usual excitement caused by the we'd
ding of Princess Pat across the street,
In the Abbey, the representatives OF
10000, 900 workingmen met In the CEN
trail hall OF Westminster to-day. and
with representatives of employers and
Of the Government, headed by Lloyd
George, inaugurated the epoch making
labor parliament.
The opening speech was by Labor
Minister Horne. He attempted to out
line what the parliament hoped to ac-
ccmplish. but very apparently SKINNED
the surface. He then blundered into
an announcement OF the Governments
method Of reducing allowances to the
unemployed.
This antagonized the labor unionists
ana brought out many protests from
the first speakers, who unhesitatingly
fiayed the Government, contending that
| the pitiable condition OF many work.
! ingmen was due TO the inefficiency of
I the Government.
Horne Excites Antagonism.
From the start 1t was evident that
the employed and employers brought
with them to the meeting the old spirit
of antagonism, each willing to listen
| to the others statements, but each
more than ever determined to obtain
all possible for themselves and yield
ing as little as possible.
Horne's address was marked by many
| Interruptions. and the Union!sts groaned
| when he announced the Government In
! tended to begin graduated reductions In
| Unemployment allowances; also when he
stated that unemployment to-day was no
greater than in 1914. Only few OF
Horne's statements met approval of both
sides.
One thing that stood forth in all
| speeches was the widespread desire that
the Government should keep out of labor
disputes. All sides disapproved the sug-
gested project of Government owned fac
tories Both sides expressed the hope
that the Government would not interfere
| with private enterprises.
Following Horne's speech there wa
considerable confusion. The employer
had 10 listen to long harangue by ar
obscure Alderman who, with Bolshevil
demeanor declared the people were tire'
of going without coal and food while III,
papers were filed with accounts Of ;
princess's elaborate trousseau,
No Sign OF Agreement.
Good humor was restored. however
when one of the employers representa-
tives offered a resolution asking for {
large committee. composed of representa-
tIves Of both sides and with an unspeci
fed number OF Government representa-
tives, to investigate and put into con
or~Asp. isnA0 probless~ss1E the-saAi :
ence 10 solve. This was the first NOV
in the direction OF getting the meetini
down to business.
Taking into consideration the contrast
ing views OF the speakers 1t is hard Il
believe any good result can come from
the conference or that any progress will
be made toward actual peace between
capital and labor. The delegates seemed
optimistic. however, and all were glat
OF the opportunity to express their views
which they pointed out would eithe
clear the ground for future negotiated
settlement or for actual strife.