Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-21

the Presidents message as read TO Con
ssrsss today follows:
" regret. my inability to be present a,
the opening of the extraordinary scs-
sion OF the Congress. 1t still seems to
oe my duty 10 take part in the coun-
seis % THO peace conference and con
,ssioote what ! can TO the solution OF
me innumerable questions to whose
setttSment II has had to address itself
Tor they arc questions which affect the
peace OF the whole world and from
IN, shsrefore. the United States can
70 call the Congress together at this
time because II was not wise to post
ssen m, iGnf ger ths provisions which must
msnt Many OF the approximations
which are absolutely necessary for the
fulhllment OF it's varied Civilizations for
the fiscal year l9l9l920 have not yet
been made, the end Of the present fsca
appropriations can no longer be pru-
IDENTIFY delayed. II is necessary, there
Tore. that ] should Immediately call
IS hardly necessary for me to urge tina /
Tank cs Peace, when He Return.
you on my reurn on he subjects which
nave most cnErossed our attention and
the attention OF tho world during these
sstice OF last November was signed, the
International settlements which must
form the subject matter of the present
treaties OF peace and OF our national
action in the immediate future. IL
would be premature to discuss them or
10 tors express Press judsment about them be
plete formulation by the agreements
, wien are now being sought at the
10 lay them before you in their many
aspects so socn as arrangements have
been reached.
II hesitate TO venture any opinion or
=
Sard TO domestic legislation while alb
sent from the United States and out Of
daily toqeh with intimate sources OF
seious that l need, after so long an
absence from Washington, 10 seek the
s ssHlfs OF ,mHso who have remaned in
At hand from day to day; and i trust
me to do So u n0N the ee npe seSe 1oT
questions pressing for consideration to
Which ! feel that. may. and indeed
i # oniv ef in re n0% ditece your attention
Of them shall, I dare say. be doing
t ti.o,e more than sneak your own
your own judgment also.
..r Labor question UFpermest.
Inc question which stands at the
amidst the present great awakening is
the question of labor; and perhaps
can sneak of It with as great advant.
l.
ton of interests which AFFECT all coun-
amidst the interests which naturally
are the interests of our own people.
by the question Of labor do not
mean the question of efficient industrial
IS to be obtained and made effective In
me sreat process OF sustaining popula-
tons and winning success amidst com
merciai and industrial rivalries. I
mean that much greater and more vital
question, how are the men and women
who do the daily labor OF the world to
OBTAIN progressive Improvement In the
conditions Of their labor to be made
happier. and TO be served better by
the eom ,sa,n and the industries
advances? How are they TO be given
tneir right advantage as citizens and
human beings?
I we cannot go any further in our
present direction. We have already
gone too far. We cannot live our right
life as nation or achieve our proper
success 8 an industrial community IL
capital and labor arc to continue to be
sntagonistic instead of being partners;
another and contrive how they can get
the better OF one another. Or, what
perhaps amounts to the same thing,
coerSion they can manage TO extort
on the one hand work enough TO make
enterprise profitable. on the other JUS
turned on, a blind alley. II is no
ihoroughsare to real prosperity. We
direction and to very different desti-
nation. 1t must lead not merely to ac-
oommooation; but also TO genuine co
n real community OF interest and par
ticipation in control.
nifty Of rest be tNs. r esn, eomm aUd
labor, but 1t has never been made evil
dent in action: 1t can be made opera
H Of ony T II r esE OF Of
our business men and the sound prac-
teal sense OF our workers can certainly
once they realize exactly what il Is
that they seek and sincerely adopt
common purpose with regard to It.
Labor legislation lies. Of course.
eh;eny with tho States: but the new
ispiTis and method OF organization
brought about by legislation 90 much
as by the common counsel and yoiun-
lazy Gn eoa-operatlon Of capitalist. mana
only very, LITTLE way In comm andiSG
wha, shall be done. The organization
a ans 1dgTjtTS Is mater Of corporate
tical business arrangement. Those who
really desire new relationship he
Tween capital and labor can readily
haps Federal legislation can help more
than State legislation could.
Z The object Of all reform in this es-
senilai matter must be the genuine
characterization of industry. based
upon full recognition Of the right of
those who work, in whatever rank. 10
in some organic way in
every decision which directly affects
ehelr welfare or the part they are to
play in industry. Some positive leE!s-
'ation is practica BILE The Congress mas
aiready shown the way to one reform
which should be world wide. by estab-
fIsh!ng the eight hour day as the stand
ard day in every field OF labor over
which II can exercise control.
T IT has sought 10 find the way 10
prevent child labor and will, ] hone
apd believe. presently find it, II has
served the whole country by leading
the way in developing the means Of
preserving and safeguarding life and
health in dangerous industries
& Give New Form to Industrial Life.
-. II; can row help in the difficul; task
o! giving new form and spiri, 10
industrial organization by co-ord!na;-
iHE the several agencies O. Cancellation
and adjustment which have been
drought into existence By the dificul-
ties and mistaken policies OF the pres
Wealthy Widow Would