Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-29
CASH BONUSPLAN
OPPOSED BY j. S.
c. OF c. COMMITTEE
Advocates Care of Wounded
Men and Aid on Bust.
ness Basis.
By the Associated rrcss.

Franklin D'Olier, national commander
of the American Legion, today ap-
peared before the resolutions com-
mittee of the United States Chamber
OF Commerce in convention here to
examine resolution opposing a
soldiers bonus, which goes before the
convention for adoption late this
afternoon. The meeting OF the COM
mittee was executive, but il was
learned that notifications Of the
had been made 10 meet the
Of the legion commander.
The resolution, as modified. opposes a
cash bonus. but advocates proper gov
ornamental care of wounded soldiers and
urges some syst,m by which aid on n
business basis could De extended former
service men, it WAS understood
President Homer l.. Ferguson, of the
chamber, said there was no doubt the
resolution would he passed. and that il
ought to be passed"
Il am unalterably opposed to a cash
bonus, or any other kind of charity. or
any hand out" he said. 1T would lie
bad for business and bad for labor and
worse for the soldiers themselves ! am
in favor of giving them lands on easy
payments and extending other business
and to them on Il business basis
Labor Leader Cheercd aud Kissed.
When the conventions labor session
began Matthews VOL. vice president
and member of the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor.
began discussion Of "labor's part in
industrial production" He was FREE
quently cheered until he began an at
tack on Gov. Allen of Kansas, who
was sitting in the audience at the foot
of the stage
Seine one began Kissing and crying
time" and others took up the cry. I'M
til the labor leader announced he
would make his closing remarks and
sat down. He had spoken for nearly
two hours.
Sir Auckland Pleads.
Sir Auckland Geddes. British am
bassador to the United States, pleaded
the cause of stricken Europe before
several hundred members and guests of
the Cha mber of Commerce of the Unit
ed States last night. Edwin T. Mere
dith. Secretary of Agriculture. and Ad-
miral William S. Benson, chairman of
the United States Shipping Board. were
other speakers before the general ses-
sion
THE great American spirit Sir
Auckland said. must assist Europe to
its feet, and If this assistance were not
forthcoming promptly it might eventu-
ally cause America to be confronted
with the great European problems that
are Causing SO nUcn unrest
Are you going to stand by and wait
for Europe's troubles to come after you,
as come they will. or are you going out
to help Europe win through to reason
able conditions be asked.
AS result of the war. she said. the
masses. especially in Europe. had turned
anti-militaristic and were fully aware
of their power. However, in spite OF
the great odds and the possibility of
nnhaaU.lc hn mill
win through" he added.
Secretary Meredith Speaks.
Farming was pictured as confronted
with more serious difficulties than any
other American industry by Secretary
Meredith of the Agriculture Depart
ment
american farmers the 'ssscretary
said, are not only in competition
with each other as producers, but they
are in competition with producers Of
ether countries. Not only that, but
agriculture as an industry is in direct
competition with other industries for
capital and especially for labor.
Under present conditions farmers are
losing in competition for labor
Farmers hesitate to pay higher
wages because, unlike other indus
tries. there is no opportunity for q
quick turnover or to pass the in
creased cost along to consumers. Not
only are farm wages higher than ever
before. bur farm hired labor is scarce
at any price and on the whole, Is said
to be relatively less efficient than
formerly.
illustrating che power of American
farmers. Secretary Meredith said that
If they sold AL their belongings, in
Guiding land. crops and live stock,
they would be able to buy all the rail-
roads, all the manufacturing estab-
"a h.a mil al
Quarries in the country.
Speech Of Admiral benson,
Admiral W S. Benson. chairman Of
the United states Shipping Board.
told the chamber that no American
company had reached an
agreement with the Hamburg Amer
lean steamship Company to use it's
terminal facilities at Hamburg or its
oincerS or personnel as had been re-
ported. He said he had discussed the
matter with the Hamburg American
Company's agent in the United States
and had told him we would have
nothing to do with any American
company that did not go. into the
proposition with n determination To
make it 100 per cent American"
The situation as it stands TO-DAY"
he continued, lis that some company
probably viii buy the ships from the
shipping Board and tablish the
ines that they are able to conduct
With that. of course, we
nave no real means of interfering
'ven IL We wished TO. That is one Of
he weak points at the present time
II the situation of our American mer-
liant marine.
1T is my determination, as long as
am chairman of the board, to exert
ny influence to scatter our trade to
all the cities in this country where
L can be properly handled; TO locate
Ill centerS of production, so that the
thtnt is to be exported will
go from the nearest point of produce
ion to the nearest and best seaport
o carry IL to its destination"
Mrs. nrievan Speaks.
Mrs. Sophia L. pelavaa, president OF
he Woman's Association of Com
nerce. Chicago. said to be the first
to speak before the United
states Chamber of Commerce. ad-'
lressed the civic development group
It yesterdays session. Referring to
he progress women are making in
Mrs. Delagan said that, while
hey were at times uncertain, coy,
md hard to please they cannot be
lealt the rough stun" that IS given to
males.
In every factory where, a large
lumber of female workers are en-
loyed il il desirable to segregate
hem" she declared. -and forewomen
instead OF foremen should have charge
Il the departments.