Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-25
The Rsorsanized Industrial Confer
ence.

The Rsora anized Industrial Confer
enec.
The withdrawal Of the labor dele
gates from the industrial conference
was not wholly surprise to those
who have been following the career
of that gathering at Washington. but
it was a great disappointment. 1t
meant virtual dissolution of the con-
ference and the other groups saw
nothing left for them but to go home.
President Wilson resolved to make
one more try and his plan Of elini-
mating the capital delegates puts
the conference on the new footing OF
national committee of the public
and for the public. This committee
has the task of formulating some
sort Of program which will be ac-
ceptable to both labor and capital.
A glance at the headlines Of this
paper since the conference has been
in session tells the story of opposi-
futility that seems to be its net re-
suit to date. For instance: Confer
ence Tangled in Own Rules" Con
ference Committee Deadlocked,"
conference Committee Turns Down
Substitute Plan for Arbitration"
Hitch Over Steel Strike Interven-
ton" Stand of Employers Threat
ems Early Dissolution of Confer
ence," Fail to Agree on Labor's Plan
for Collective Bargaining" Gary
and Gompers Clash" Back at Start
ing Point" Labor Bolts Industrial
Conference"
At this distance it is impossible to
know all the cross currents that
whirl the industrial ship of state this
way and that, but at this distance it
is possible to see the large outlines
Of the course to be steered in order
to reach the desired goal. The coun-
try hoped. against hope perhaps. that
the Washington conference might
bring about a better understanding
among the three great groups
touched by all industrial affairs. Ger
tainly it did not expect the confer
ence to leave the groups farther apart
than ever. Yet this appears to be
what has happened. Mr.. Gompers
characterized as most unfortunate"
a motion by John Spargo. Socialist
member of the public group, that
each group pledge the President
1t would make every effort to ac-
complish the work for which the
conference was called. The most
unfortunate thing that could happen
was the Immediate withdrawal Of the
labor group from the conference and
the threat Of Mr.. Gompers to hold a
club over both public and employer
groups until such time as labor is
sure it can dominate.
Mr.. Gompers' statements had the
tone Of defiance and recklessness
that marks the utterances Of his
subordinate, Foster. the steel strike
organizr. The conservative wis
dom which has been Mr.. Gompers'
chief asset was lacking. His action
in Withdrawing the labor group puts
responsibility for the failure Of the
conference squarely upon labor. 1t
may have won a momentary victory
in breaking up the conference but it
has lost much Of public esteem. II a
finish fight comes labor will stand to
lose more than capital. 1t will be
unable to endure a long state Of
siege if the employers are forced to
close their mills and shops. Labor
does not control the country now and
1t will not control 1t ultimately.
Neither will capital. In the end it
will be rediscovered that all author
ity is derived from the people and
they will take it back if it is misused
beyond the limits Of their endurance.
All three groups are responsible for
the present situation, the public
probably less than labor and capital
because it has had less to say. The
great question of industrial peace
for the country is infinitely more i'm
portant than any temporary ad-
vantage either side might vancouver
for itself. 1t will be a sad revelation
if the reorganized conference dis
solves without bringing out men who
are big enough to act on the old
axiom that the whole is greater than
any Of its parts.