US Presidency
1906

It is therefore clear to my mind that the law should place this entire risk of a trade upon the employer. Neither the Federal law, nor, as far as I am informed, the State laws dealing with the question of employers ' liability are sufficiently thorogoing. The Federal law should of course include employees in navy-yards, arsenals, and the like. The commission appointed by the President October 16, 1902, at the request of both the anthracite coal operators and miners, to inquire into, consider, and pass upon the questions in controversy in connection with the strike in the anthracite regions of Pennsylvania and the causes out of which the controversy arose, in their report, findings, and award exprest the belief that the State and Federal governments should provide the machinery for what may be called the compulsory investigation of controversies between employers and employees when they arise. This expression of belief is deserving of the favorable consideration of the Congress and the enactment of its provisions into law. A bill has already been introduced to this end.