The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-12-29

The Bureau of the International Federation Of Trade Unions consider ed it would be advisable that should visit the International Labou" Conference at Washington, and the Management Committee of the Gen G~aI Federation of Trade Unions en- SHrsed this decision, and decided that Alderman IVor II Ciwynne should go with me in order that there might be opportunities for consultation on all subjects that might arise.
 It is necessary to state quite clear ly that l went to the United States Of America on the instructions of the General Federation of Trade Unions and the International Federation of Trade Unions. Ny business was not with any Government nor was l under any obligation to any political party. It was the opinion of both the Trade Union organisations that the conference on industrial matters of fered extraordinary opportunities for personal touch and brief Interchange Of views between delegates coming from all parts of the world. It was never the intention that MT. Gwynne and myself should stay longer than we jointly considered necessary.
 After the 9th of November we de Cided that nothing more would be ac- cOmpished by remaining, and or the 11th l left Washington for New York. and sailed from this city, after a flying visit to Boston, on the 10th, reaching home on the 25th.
 At the conference itself, which was opened on the 18th October, g couu- tries had sent 24 repre- entatIves, plus some hundreds 0t technical advisers 10 the opening session. Others. in cluding South Africans, came a little later, while Ihe Germans were expect ed to arrive about the 25th, or nearly q month after the Conference opened.
 The programme had heeu arranged by the Organising Committee ap- pointed under the League of Nations Covenant. This programme is too long for insertion in such a report as this, but it can be obtained in book form. Washington was adopted as the meeting place. and the invitations were issued by the United States Government.
 Two impressions concerning the Conference, formed before leaving England, were crystaIised into con clusiOns by the third day.
 One was that the gathering should have been described as the Inter national Conference, and not the In
 
 Another was that the time for the Conference was ircpportune.
 A third conclusion developed be- fore a week had elapsed, and this was that nations which had fought for the right of lf-determinatiOu in politics would demand the same right in respect of industrial matters and in social economics.
 Those who decided that the gath erins should be called the Interna- tonal Labour tinsJead of Iudustri3) Conference did not give due consid- eratiOn 10 the fact that Labour pos sessed but 25 per cent. of the repre- sentauon, the remainder being shared by Governments and employers. This disparity may not have affected the deLberati0n or the results of the Conference, but it did offer oppor- tunitieS for criticism.
 Holding the Conference while America was still en1broiled in do- mestic difficulties may account for the attitude generally adopted to- wards it.
 This attitude was one of indifferent detachment rather than of active hostility Many thousands were 7ln- doubtedIy interested in the ideals aJ5uInbr,Ited at the conference. but others were irritated by the circun- stances surrounding it. Some alleged that Britain had got the best of America over the Peace Treaty. and they feared that Britain now sough; to secure industrial advantages by I'rc-rigicarinE an international Indus trial Convention which might con ceivably reflect upon American methods or handicap American prog ress.
 -T-F,- e--,--f,T r,--=-.--- Ey the American Federation of La hour on November 9th brought to Washington many Trade Union rep resentatives from the distant prov inces of the States Gathered -o- gether for the purpose of discussing the position created by the steel strike and the coal strike. they offered an admirable opportunity of ascer- ta5ning opinions outside official cir cles.
 Their answers to questions concern ing the International La5our Con