The New York herald., 1921-05-13
CONFIDENCE URGED
TO GET PROSPERITY
Peter O. Knight, Southern
Democrat, Rouses Hard
ware Convention.
NOTICE TO G0MPERS
Declares People Are Not Co
ING to Live Under A. L.
of L. Constitution.
HIS TRIBUTE TO HARDING
Says President Would Have
Carried Every State, Except
for Negro Question.
HIS TRIBUTE TO HARDING

Special Despatch 10 THE NEW York HERALD
ATLANTIC CTg. May 12.-Peter O.
knight. prominent Democrat and one
of Florida's leading lawyers. brought
every man in the ballroom of the Marl-
borough -Blenheim TO his feet to-day
when, coming to the close of crisp
end forceful summary OF conditions
now facing business. he declared:
Last fall liberty-loving and Consti-
tution-loving men. rear Americans
said they We're through with phrase
making, half baked theories, damn
foolism, mental joy-riding and intel
tectual ky-climbing and were going
to get back to the Constitution and
common sense.
If it had not been for the negro
question In the South that magnificent
gentleman who sits in the White House
would have carried every State in the
Union.
Were going to notify Sam Gompers
and the other leaders of the American
Federation of Labor that we are not
stitution of the American Federation Of
Labor. but under the Constitution of the
United States. We're not going to live
under the red flag of Socialism. but un-
der the American flag.
when the labor and tax problems are
settled confidence will be restored. and
when confidence is restored there will
be prosperity in this country such as has
never before even been dreamed Of"
Feature of Demonstration.
The most remarkable thing about tho
demonstration was that at least half the
men who sprang to their feet were
Southern business men. members OF the
Southern Hardware Jobbers Association.
Their applause was at least as hearty
as that of the others present at the joint
meeting. members, of the American
Hardware Manufacturers Association,
almost all of whom were from sections
other than the South.
1t was plain that Mr.. knight, general
counsel for the Southern organization,
had lost nothing with these other South
ern Democrats by his strong language.
While he placed the return of pros
perity contingent on settlement of the
wage and tax situations. the big thing,
he emphasized, is confidence.
II think It is time we got back to
earth and realized just where we are
and what we have accomplished" he
said "Stop this everlasting talk about
the country going to hell 1t isn't How
many of you men sitting in this room
would have thought thirty years ago that
to-day you would be staying at hotel
paying sf4 day board?
'As soon as men forget details that
bother them and come TO realize the
fundamental stability of this country
and its Government the situation will
improve.
1T can't be impressed too forcibly on
you business men that you can't have
sound business unless you have sound
government. Mexico has immenss nat
ural resources, but life and property are
not secure within her borders."
Dry Amendment Attacked.
Mr.. Knight said he believed the pro-
hibition amendment indefensible since
the principle has been established that
there Is no right that cannot be taken
away by mere majority. That prlnci-
pie. he warned. will return to plague
business men more than any other.
This amendment and the income tax
amendment providing for discrimina-
tion in taxation have placed the power