Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-28
FORDSOFFER
FOR SHOALS
IS INDORSED
Attitude of Gompers on Rail
Wage Question Is
Criticized
URGE FINANCE MEET
Ct Lawrence-to-the-L Lakes Project is
Urged by the Farmers-May DC
Adopted

Washington, Jan. 2S.-After a
stormy session throughout the day
the National Agricultural Confer
ence came to a close last night with
opinion divided as to whether or not
an effective means had been de-
cided upon for relieving depression
on the farm.
Events moved rapidly in the clos,
ing session. The delegates played
verbal football with Samuel Com
pers, veteran labor leader, and the
cause for which he stands. he
scored early victories only to be
later severely rebuffed.
The conference endorsed Henry
Ford's proposal for the acquisition
of Muscle Shoals, recommended the
adoption of the st. Lawrence-Great
Lakes waterway project, and adopt
ed nuemorus committee reports,
each one suggesting some means Oh
bringing the farmer back from a
state of financial despondeney to
antebellum normalcy.
In the final hour of its last ses-
sion the delegates again went on
record as being in favor OF partlcl-
patton by the United States IN "a
conference for economic and tinan-
cial reconstruction in Europe"
Other eleventh hour matters dis
nosed of were recommendations for
the enactment of legislation to meet
the need of short term credits; re-
doubled effort for the sale of farm
loan bonds through legally ere
ated bond market; reenactment OF
excess profit tax on corporations II
additional revenue be needed. and
Federal investigation with a
view of establishing crop insur.-
ance.
The day was decidedly the most
eventful of the conference and IN
the opinion of many observers
marked the beginning Of divorce be-
tween the workman on the farm
and his brother in industry who
carries a union card. Still others
insisted that it means that the far
mer would take no side in disputes
between capital and labor, but
would insist that each do something
to assist the planter and rural la
borer in getting greater return
for their effort and more purchas-
ing power for the dollar.
Samuel Gompers started the yer,
bal fireworks, and was responsible
for bringing about a temporary
cleavage, at least, in the aims OF
organized labor and the farmer. He
was successful in having ellmi.
mated from a committee report a
recommendation for the reduction
of industrial wages.
At the afternoon session ne at
tempted to press his advantage IN
the. discussion of a recommendation
of the committee on transportation
that both the railroads and railroad
labor share in the general detlatlon'
Mr.. Gompers moved that the recon-
mendation be stricken from the re-
port. but the agricultural delegates
turned against him, and overwhelm-
ingly voted that. the recommenda-
ton remain as reported.
The injection of the cause OF
union labor into the conference, and
the insistence of the veteran leader
that farm workers should stand by
the laborers in industrial plants,
overshadowed other DEVELOPMENTS
of the day, with the possible eX,
ception of the action on the Muscle
Shoals project for furnishing fertili-
zer and power. and the St. Law.
renee River project for bringing
ocean freight to the Great Lakes
and Middle West.
From the report Of the subcom'
mittee on railway transportation.
Mr.. Gompers moved to strike out
the following:
I'm conclusion, we insist that the
railroad corporations. and railroad
labor share in the deflation OF
charges now affecting all industries
This is essential to the restoration
of normal conditions in agricul-
ture and essential 20 the welfare OF
the entire community. We earnest,
ly appeal to those in authority tc
take such action as may be neces.
sary to accomplish that result"
After a speech in which he ap.
pealed to all laborers to stand to-
gether, the motion of Mr.. Gompers
to have the Objectionable clause
eliminated was put to vote. There
was a very weak response Of "ayes.'
The "noes" were tumultous ant
there was demonstration of bois
ferrous shouting.
H. G. Tirbby, contracting builder
] hns rocantl1r rannuad into hiS rnr,r &c