The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-10-23
THE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION,

cursory examination is necessary realize that either
the conference yield the hard facts of the strike
the strike yield to the principal aim of the
ference.
The conference is theory; the strike fact There
is always struggle between these when theory refuses
to recognize attempts to alter fact.
So brstlng the captal-labor question at best that
it is impossible make any Roadway toward permanent
beterment while the effort to work out benefcent prn-
cples is disturbed This effort is nothing else than an
excursion into the realm of the non-exsten in the hope
of discovering something valuable that be made
existent The members of the industrial council are
full to the extent that they contribute to common pool
their imagination, their freedom from precedent and
their knowledge of conditions They do this when
they distracted and have their emotions and preu
dces stirred by controversial events bearing upon the
object of their work They necessarily drawn into
discussion of the strike ITSELF and when they begin this
discussion the conference penary constitutional
vention has lost its character and its bearings
On the other hand it would be expecting much of
the parties to the steel strike to look for abandon
ment fhostties merely because there an industrial
conference in session Neither side afford to sur
render any advantage may possess The strike stands
by ITSELF to be lost without regard to what the
conference may evolve for the future behavior of
dusy If the conference should quit its constitutional
accomplished something it is true but its solution would
have little bearing upon the fundamental question
of future industrial relations
1t has been pointed out that the industrial conference
not truly representative of the essential elements of
American industry. No doubt President Wilson had far
reaching plans mind when he prepared for the confer
ence. Unfortunately he was overwhelmed with work
equally important, and his strength gave way
before the conference plans had been worked out It is
needless to comment upon the void that had been made
by the absence of President Wilson's voice and counsel
The country loses heavily because of his illness for there
is reason to believe that he had most stimulating and
novel suggestions in mind which might have struck fire
in the imagnations and hearts of the delegates and
brought forth ideas for the cooperation of labor
and capital.
These suggestions have not been Forthcoming Instead
of conference scheduled from daily disturbance and
rch with interchange of thought there is conference
distracted by enormous strike and the threat of an
other strike while Of the very members of the
ference are the chief figures in struggle waged outside
of the conference ROOM Other Americans who should
There is no representation of the coal miners and vet
these miners are certainly essential factor in Amer
can industry There is representation of Shipping and
yet that is an essential factor in American industry
Oher factors are not represented and it is more than
probable that they would appear at awkward moment
and refuse to accept any conclusions which the confer
ence might reach
All patriotic citizens sympathze with the underlying
purpose of the industrial conference Even those dele
gates who engaged in an outside death struggle are
agreed upon the desrabity of reaching a method If
between employers and employees which will
insure harmony justice and full use of their energes
The conditions actually surrounding this conference how
ver are such that the best of intentions are made useless
ma rutless 1t is nobodys fault but there nothing
o be gained by attempting to ignore the situation.
lnasmuch as the leading figures in the conference
udge Gary and Mr.. Gompers, to be specifc-are en-
aged in controversy elsewhere which draws in their
espectve partsans and followers thereby constituting
wo armies actually in the field and nasmuch as neither
arty can afford should be expected to Weld for the
axe of expedtng the less speculative and heo
ehca work of the conference it seems only reasonable
o look for an adjournment recess of the conference
nile the forces in the field engaged in decisive
ght,-W ashington Post.
Mitch Palmer will hold down the price of sugar or
ave the law on em.