Evening star., 1919-10-08
elivered to the secretary Of the con-

delivered to the secretary Of the con-
ference.
q 4. A majority Of each Of the three
groups shall constitute a quorum OF
the conference for the transaction Of
In group voting, a majority Of the
total number composing the group shall
constitute a quorum for transactlng
business of the group, and a majority
Of the total group shall be necessary to
express the conclusion or action OF the
group.
Proposes Farm Commission.
Just before adjournment, C. s. Bar
rett of Union City. Ca, representing
the Farmers Cooperative Union. star
tied the conference by taking the floor
with an armful Of papers and asking
permission to pass around the pre-
amble" to a resolution he proposed to
offer. Somebody suggested the resolu-
tion was following in dray. Mr..
Barrett announced the resolution would
request President Wilson to appoint a
commission to formulate national ag-
ricultural policy.
Indications were given in Mr.. Bar
rett's preamble Of the dissatisfaction
which the farmers have been said to
feel because of their comparatively
small representation in the confer
ence.
10 attempt 10 Sellic lHc GidSc
questions now agitating US without the
assistance of the farmers is like try
ing to put Hamlet on the stage with
the hero left out" the preamble stated.
WHY were only three men as repre-
santatives of the greatest industry in
the world invited to participate In
these momentous deliberations?
els it because there is suspicion
in. certain responsible minds that we
are not organized, and consequently
incapable of exerting the influence
which can be exercised only when we
march as a solid phalanx?
Don't. gentlemen, allow yourselves
to be deluded into the false idea that
agriculture cannot kick, that 1t Will
continue to be the foot ball of other
great national interests.
"The neglect of the farmer in con-
nection with this conference has
aroused a suspicion. I fear, in many
minds. that organized labor. and or
ganized capital might get together
for some plan for reducing the high
cost of living and allay1ng unrest,
and that the tiller Of the soil would
be made to pay the bill. II any mem
ber of this conference holds to such
a view let him understand now and
forever afterward that the farmer
will not make up the deficit: he Will
not be the goat"
Rules Governing Resolution.
Under the rules Of the conference
Mr.. Barrett's resolution, providing
for an agricultural commission. win
have to be submitted to the employ
ers' group, and can come before the
conference for consideration only
with the assent of that group.
After adjournment the employers
group was divided into four sections.
which separately, in executive ses-
sion, will study Industrial peace pro-
posals At $3.50 o'clock this after
noon the whole group will meet and
decide what proposals or resolutions
emanating from the various sections
shall be laid before the conference to-
morrow morning.
The labor group continues to assert
it has no plan or resolution concern
ing industrial peace to offer the con-
erence, though members of this body
have received a large number of COM
munications from outside sources.
Doubt was expressed, however, that
any Of these would reach the confer
ence, at least until after the employ
ers' and public groups have offered
their resolutions to the presiding Off
Ger for submission to the committee
Of fifteen.