The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-28


 That, seriously, was the sum total in results of the imposing confab. Everyone in Washington, including the 20 business, labor and government leaders who par- ticipated, still is as much in the dark as before regarding what the affair was all about.
 SO FAR, MISS PERKINS HAS GIVEN NO CLUE TO THE MIS- TERY.
 When she called the meeting she announced that its purpose was to consider ways and means of improving the operation of the Wagner Act, recently sustained by the Supreme Court. She acted without consulting the White House, labor, industry, or the Na- tional Labor Relations Board, which has sole administrative jur- isdiction of the law. Further, Miss Perkins had no agenda or pro- gram for the conference.
 Actually, it had all the ear- marks of pure and simple ballyhOo, n1aneuver to put her in the center of the Iimelight.
 Overshadowed in labor affairs by the Labor Board, disregarded on Capitol Hill, and held in no great esteem in inner Administra- ton circles, Miss Perkins labors under a pronounced defensive complex. She is constantly try ing to create the impression that she carries great weight in gov- ernmental affairs.
 This secret inferiority complex was what really motivated the conference.
 Sixteen Speeches
 Held behind closed doors and with a great show of importance, THE MEETING WAS A WASH OUT FROM START TO FINISH. The 5 A. F. of L. and c. I. O. big-shotS glared at each other, while the five business men eyed both groups suspiciously. Six teen speeches were made during the day, with Miss Perkins deliv- ering little sermon on eact speech.
 One of the conferees, however, read a snappy sermon to her. For some reason she failed to call on John w. Williams, head of the A. F. of L. Building Trades De- partment, whereupon he rose and took her tQ task for not asking his views.
 Finally, when the tidal wave of words had subsided, Miss Perkins undertook to summarize the days results.
 think" she announced sweetly, "that the conference has developed these thoughts. That we can agree ...
 "Just a minute, Madame Sec retary," broke in c. I. o. Chief John L. Lewis, speaking for myself, I have agreed to noth- ing"
 And that goes for me-" too," observed Sidney Hilllnan, head of the AnaIgamated Clothing Workers and a close Lewis ally. Others also voiced similar Ob- jectiOnS.
 In the end Miss Perkins was directed to issue no statement to the press and the conferees picked up their hats and de- parted.
 As they waited for the eleva- tor they were overheard to re- mark: "Well, that sure was Q wasted day."
 QuezQn HOnOrs
 When President Quezon of the Philippines came to New York shortly after his recent arrival in this country, Mayor LaGuardia planned to give him a big well come.
 The two had known each other when LaGuardia was congress- man and Quezon a Philippine delegate to congress. So the fiery little mayor wanted to provide Quezon with an escort of mounted troops.
 But somebody on LaGuardia's staff thought this was golng too far, called up the State Depart ment, asked what rating the President of the Philippines should be given when it came to military honors.
 ssTfe ranks with the Governor of New Jersey" replied the State Department.
 NOTE Governors of states rank below senators, according to Washington protocol.
 Presidential Pensions
 Something of family row has been stirred up by the proposal to provide a pension of $5,000 for Mary Lord Harrison, widow of the late President Benjamin Harri- son. Representatives Theodore A Peyser of New York city re- gently introduced bill provid- ing for the pension.
 Surviving relatives of the former President are blunt and 0utspOken in opposition. Their principal point is that Mrs.