The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-03
READY TO DO DUTY


hearty welcome and to express my gratifi-
cation that SO many executives of cities
and of states have found the time and the
inclination to come together the very
Important matter We have to discuss The
primary duty of caring for our people in
the intimate matters that we/want to dis
anil upon the municipalities, and the func-
ton of the federal government is to do
What it is trying to do in conference nc of OF
country together so that they may profit
by each others suggestions and plans, and
so that We may offer our services to
they may deem it wise to coordinate.
Servants of States.
"In other words, it is the privilege of the
federal government in matters of this SOFT
states and municipalities and counties and
we shall perform that duty with the great
est pleasure, if you will guide us with your
II hope that the discussion of this con-
ference will take as wide a scope as you
think necessary. De are not to discuss any
single or narrow subject. We are met to
discuss the proper methods of restoring all
the labor conditions of the country to a
normal basis as soon as possible and to ef-
fecting such fresh ALLEGATIONS of labor and
industry as the circumstances may make
II think I can testify from what 1 have
seen on the other side of the water, that
we are more fortunate than other nations
industries have been disturbed and dis
organized-dfsorganiZe as compared with
a peace basis, very seriously indeed. by
the war, but not so seriously as the indus
| tries of other countries, and it seems to
| be, therefore, that we should approach
| these problems that we are about to dis
| cuss with a good deal of confidence-witt
| a good deal of confidence that if we have
| a common purpose we can realize that com
| mon purpose without serious or insur
Lmountable difficulties.
F For the average Man.
"The thing that has. impressed me most
| when l have been In conference on tn,
| other side of the water, but for man!
months before 1 went across the water, wa
| this: We are at last learning that thu
| business of government is to take counse
| for the average man. We are at last learn
| ing that the whole matter of the prosperit,
| of peoples runs dowT into the great bodl
| of the men and women who do the worl
of the world and that the process of guild
by the standard of the benefit that i
confers upon those who in the ohsucr
Of those enterprises.
| The hearts of the men, women ant
I children of the world are stirred now il
| n way that has never Deen known before
! They are not only stirred by their individ
ual circumstances but they are beginning
| to get vision of what the general cir
cumstances of the world are and there is
| for the first time in history. an interna
| tionai sympathy. which is quick and vital
| a sympathy which does not displace itsel
| merely in the contact of governments, blu
displays itself in the silent intercours
| of sympathy between great bodies that con
stitute great nations and the signfficanc
of conference like this is that we are ex
| pressing in 1t, and will, I believe expires
| in the results of this conference. our con
seriousness that We are the servants of thi
! great silent mass II people who eonstitut
the United States and that as their servants
| it is our business as well as our privileg
to find out how We can best assist in max
ing their lives what they wish them to be
| giving them the opportunities that the,
ought to have, assisting by public counse
| In the private affairs upon which the hap
piness of men depends.
/ Work for 700 Million,
| "And SOL am the more distressed tina
| 1 cannot take part in these councils be
| cause my present business is to under
| stand what plain men everywhere wan
1t is perfectly understood in Paris that "
are not meeting there as the masters O
servants of, believe it is, about 700 on
people and that unless We show that W
| understand the business OF servants W
will not>satisfy them and we will not &C
complish the peace of the world and tina
| If we show that We want to serve any in
| terest but theirs we will have become can
didates for the most lasting discredit tina
will ever attach to men in history.
And so it is with this profound feeIin
OF the significance Of the things you al
undertaking that i bid you welcome be-
cause l believe you have come togethe
in the spirit which have tried to indicat
and that we will together concert meth od
Of cooperation aud individual actioI
which Will really accomplish what wis
i to see ACCOMPLISHED in steadying and eas
ing and facilitating the whole labor Pre-
zt.Se 1f ha I'D ~ s :