Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-21
A L A b OR COM MISSION
Speech Of Representative Phillips in Ad-
vocacy of the Bills Passage
designed to Benefit All Industries,
business Pursuits and Professions
The Rights of Women.

Inc following Is an abstract of a speech
delivered in the House today by Repre-
sentative Phillips of Pennsylvania on the
labor commission bill:
Mr. Phillips said In part: This bill calls
attention to the fundamental principles of
Cur government, the equality of men, and
seeks more equitable distribution of the
burdens and benefits of our free govern
ntnt. While it is not the function of the
state TO guarantee individual happiness it
Is its function to guarantee each individual
the right to pursue happiness, and so en-
acts laws that one class may not be COM
PEELED OF necessity to work solely for an
other class, regardless of their personal
comfort and Improvement. This nation
took the most advanced stand in civiliza-
ton, and is the best prepared to meet the
industrial issues of today by building on
the foundation it laid more than one hun
dred years ago by conforming law to its
declared principles of right freedom and
equahty; and thus organize our social and
Industrial system upon a more Just and
equitable basis than has yet Obtained In
the world.
Design of the COmmission.
The bill provides for the appointm ent of
non-partisan commission to be composed
OF five members representatives of labor
five representatives of agriculture. and five
Of manufacturing, five of business and pro-
LESSONS. He argued that the commission
was designed to benefit all industries, bust
ness pursuits and professions.
The BILL he continued, lis designed to
give an impartial hearing to those who
complain of discriminating laws and I'M
equal burdens. 1t Is expected that it will
be composed Of the ablest and best of each
class named 1t will Ering into confer
ence representative men of labor. agricul-
ture, manufacturing and business: thus
bringing the aggrieved and those against
whom the grievance is made together
whose duty will be to consider the dis
turbing causes and recommend laws look
ing toward a more just distribution of the
burdens and benefits of our free govern
ment. 1t Is designed to be impartial, nom
partisan, seeking exact facts and condi-
lions. and to conform legislation to the
uldation principles of our government
10 place all men on an equal footing before
the law"
Philanthropy Is one Of the noblest traits
of men. but 1t should be expended In
teaching in lifting I'D The race in caring
for the disabled, the suffering and the
helpless: all that others require is an equal
chance in the race Of life with none to
hinder and none to handicap They require
justice, not charity
The Rights of Women.
Mr. Chairman. the rights Of woman must
be more fully recognized in the future than
they have been in the past. She Is con-
stantly entering new Industrial fields and
meeting their requirements with fidelity
and ability. Her advancement in intellect
uaf and moral pursuits is without a par
allel in history. She Is beginning to domf-
nate along all the lines that lead to the
retirement OF the race: She has built and
endowed more institutions of beneyolenca
OF charity for the relief of want and suf-
fering in the past fifty years than were
established by both sexes in all preceding
time. Yet notwithstandins all this. many
of her.sex still toll in sweat shops tiphtiny
an uneven battle for child and home with
avarice and greed. This blot upon ciyiliza-
tlon must be removed and woman's rights
movement for the betterment of our in
dEstrial system.