The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-30
On Motion by Italian Delegation
Secretary Wilson of u. S. De-
partment of Labor, Is Made
President.
THIRTY-S SIX NATIONS
so FAR REPRESENTED
Gathering Represents First Con-
certed Effort in History to
Deal With Labor Problems
Progressively.

Washington. Oct 29-Represen-
tatives of labor and capital in the
United States will participate unoffi-
ference which began its sessions here
today and Secretary Wilson of the
labor department. who called the
conference to order will be named
president.
In moving that special invitation
be extended to the United States,
Baron Mayor des Planches, Italian
government delegate, expressed his re-
gret that the United States was not
represented officially and said he
hoped that this country might see it's
way clear to take part later on"
Cordial thanks for the work of the
United States in organizing the con-
ference and fervent wishes for the
quick restoration to health of Presi-
dent Wilson were expressed in reso-
luton presented by the Venezuelan
delegation and unanimously adopted.
The opening session continued only
an hour, the conference recessing un-
til this afternoon when the report of
Arthur Fontaine, of France, chair
man of the organizing committee, was
received.
Speaking ION behalf of the people of
the United States and in the name of
President Wilson," Secretary Wilson
formally opened the conference which
was provided for in the treaty of Ver-
sailles.
Welcoming delegates from all parts
of the world, the secretary declared
the conference represented the first
concerted effort to deal with labor
problems progressively.
: Representatives of thirty-six coun-
tries. seated in alphabetical order in
a large circle in the hall of the Pan
American building where the national
Industrial conference came to grief
heard the secretary's address which
was translated into French when he
| had finished.
! Ambassadors and ministers of many
nations occupied places of honor on
either side.
Germany and Austria also were
without delegates, but their repre-
sentatives are now en- route and the
question of seating them will be for
the conference to decide.
Countries having delegates present
today included Great Britain France
Japan, Italy. Belgium, Spain, Hol-
land, Sweden, Canada, China, Czecho-
] Slovakia. Switzerland, Denmark
Greece, Norway and practically all OF
the Central and South American re-
publics.
| The invitation for the United states
| to be unofficially represented in the
conference was extended by the dele
gates from So countries on motion OF
the Italian delegation. Secretary VII
Ison later announced that he mad re-
Iouested the American Federation OF
Labor to appoint the labor delegates
and the chamber of commerce of the
United States to choose representa-
| tatives of the employers.
| Mr.. Wilson was agreed upon by the
delegates for president of the confer
ence. The secretary explained that
as the conference still is being or
ranized." he was authorized TO pre-
/ side as the representative of the
United States which is charged under
the terms of the treaty of Versailles
with the organization of the confer
ence.
The United States cannot be Officials
| Nv represented in the conference be-
cause the peace treaty has not yet
been ratified and because of congress
sional prohibition. Mr.. Wilson, how
u.