Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-03-03
President Wilson Makes
Brief Address Offering
Federal Assistance.
PEACE CONFEREES
SERVANTS OF PEOPLE
Governors and Mayors Take Up Prob
Ions Of Transition From War TO
. Peace Basis-Stabilixation OF Labor
Chief Question to Be considsred-
Cabinet and Members OF Congress to
Tell What Government 10 Doing.

Washington, March S.-Opening the
White House conference Of governors
and mayors OH peace time business and
labor problems today. President Wilson
promised that the federal government
would consider itself the servant Of the
states. municipalities and counties In
solving readjustment problems. and
would perform its duties. aided by sug-
gestions Of the conference.
The president said he hoped the con-
ference discussion would assume
wide range. including means Of restor-
ing labor conditions to a normal basis
as soon as possible. and to effecting
fresh avocations Of labor and industry
as the circumstances may make neces-
sary
Touching upon the peace conference
he said the conferees at Paris regard
ed themselves as only servants OF
about 700,000.000 people Of the world
and not as their masters.
Consequently. said the president. the
conferees are anxious to keep in close
sympathy with the peoples whom they
represent Ito find out how we can best
assist in making their lives what they
wish them to be by giving them the
opportunity that they ought to have"
Many States Represented.
The president spoke briefly. confin-
ing himself largely to welcoming the
visitorss and promising complete fed
eral cooperation. He explained the
demands upon his time during the
days he could remain in Washington
made 1t impossible for him to partici-
pate in the conference.
Governors oflmany states and mayors
OF most Of the principal cities were
gathered in the historic east room of
the White House to consider business
and labor problems Of the countrys
transition from war to peace.
Secretary Wilson presided at the
session this morning. He urged a pro-
gram of cooperation between statea
and municipalities. aided by the fed
eral government, that would lead to
the stabilization Of labor.
What the federal government is do
ing to aid business will be put before
the conference by cabinet members and
members of congress-. The sessions
will continue thru Wednesday,.
Strikes Part Of Soviet Plots.
Secretary of Labor Wilson told the
conference that the reci.It strikes at
Seattle, Butte, Lawrence and other
places We're not industrial economic
disputes in their origin, but were re-
suits Of deliberate, organized attempt
nr fal
establish soviet governments in the
United States.
Text Of Wilson's Address.
President Wilson spoke as/follow.:
II wish that ! could promise myself
the pleasure and the profit Of taking
part in your deliberations. 1 find that
nothing deliberate is permitted since
my return. have been trying under
the guidance of my secretary, Mr..
Tumulty, to do a months work in Il
week, and l am hoping llat not all OF
it has been done badly, hut inasmucn
as there is necessary pressure upon
my time, / know that You will excuse
me for not taking part IN your con-
in doing so.
my pleasant duty is to bid you a
hearty welcome and to express nS
qualification that SO many executives
of cities and srates have found the
time and the inclination to come to-
gether on the very important matter
we have to discuss.
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 mum
cipaIities, and the function of the fed
eral government is to do what it's try
inc to do in a conference Of this sort
draw the executive minds Of the
country 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 anv way that they may deem it wise
to co-ordinate. In other words. it is
the privilege Of the federal govern
ment In matters OF this cert re be the
aervanr OF the executives nf the etetas
and municipalities and counties, and
we shall perform that duty with the
greatest pleasure If you will guide us
with your suggestions
America is Fortunate.
s1 hope that the discussion of this
conference will take as wide scope as
YOU think necessary We are not me,
to discuss any single or narrow sub
iect. We are met to discuss the proper
method of restoring all the labor condi-
tions Of the country to normal basis
as soon as possible, and to effect such
fresh alocations Of labor and industry
al the circumstances may make neces-
nary. I think can testify from what
I have seen on the other side of the
water that we are more fortunate than
other nations in respect to these grea,
problems. Our industries have no,
been disturbed and disorganized-dis
organized as compared with a peace
basis-very seriously indeed by. the
war. and it seems to me, therefore
that we should approach these prob.