Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-03-14
70 RESTORE
NORMAL. INDUSTRY
President Wilson Urges Cover"
nors and Mayors to. Speed
Peace Time Adjustment.
STATES REPORTS FAVORABLE.
Governors Tell of Huge Plans in Mu-
nicipaI and Road Improvements
Which Call for Labor--Man
Power Called For.

Observation-Disclosures and repre-
sentatives of 45 states and mayors of
scores of the leading industrial centers
of the nation gathered in the east room
of the White House to enlist their
powers with federal agencies in meet
ing the crisis in unemployment which
the early return of more than a million
and a half Of soldiers threatens.
Although in opening the three day
session President Wilson spoke with
gravity Of the great responsibility
which rests upon the nations eNecu-
tives in the days of reconstruction now
dawning, the conference brought al
most unanimous reports that condi-
tions are generally satisfactory and
that each state and city is confident
that all labor released from the army
will be absorbed.
The President said:
"The primary duty of caring for our
people~in the intimate matters that We
want to discuss here, of course, falls
upon the states and upon the munich
palities, and the function of the federal
government is to do what it Is trying
to do in q conference Of this sort
draw the executive minds of the coun-
try together so that they may profit by
each others suggestions and plans and
so that we may offer our services to
coordinate their efforts in any way
that they may deem it wise to co-ordi-
nate.
"In other words, it Is the privilege
of the federal government in matters
Of this sort to be the servant of the
executives Of the states and municipal
tiles and counties, and we shall per-
form that duty with the greatest pleas
ure if you will guide us with your sug-
gestions.
"We are met to discuss the proper
method of restoring all the labor con-
ditions of the country to a normal
basis as soon as possible and to effect
ing such fresh allocations of labor and
industry as the circumstances may
make necessary.
"Our industries have been disturbed
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS as
compared with a peace basis, very Sc
rlously indeed by the war, but not so
seriously as the industries of other
countries, and it seems to me, there
fore, that we should approach these
problems that we are about to discuss
with a good deal Of confidence-with
good deal of confidence that If we have
a common purpose we can realize that
common purpose without serious OF
insurmountable difficulties.
"The thing that has impressed me
most, gentlemen, not only in the re-
cent weeks when l have been in con-
ference on the other side of the water,
but for many months before | went
across the water, was this : We are at
last learning that the business Of gov
ernment is to take counsel for the
average man.
1--WE are at last learning that the
whole matter Of the prosperity of peo-
pie runs down into the great body of
the men and women who do the work
Of the world and that the process of
guidance is not completed by the mere
success of great enterprises-it is com
pleted only by the standard Of the ben
eft that it confers upon those who in
the obscure ranks Of life contribute to
the success of those enterprises"
Secretary of Labor Wilson then ad-
dressed the gathering. Warning Of
Rolshevist attempts in Seattle and else
where to overthrow the existing order
Of things, Secretary Wilson declared
that no country "oWes a man living
but "every country owes him an op-
portunity to earn living"
He urged resumption of building &C
tivity throughout the nation.