The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-12-05
Labor.

ne says llal the government Snoulu
provide in It's contracts that all work
should be done under fair" conditions
and that all night work should he for.
hidden for women and children as well
as excessive overtime. He continues.
Very great good has been and will he
accomplished 10y associations or unions
OF wagcworkers when managed with
forethought and when they combine IN
sistence upon their own rights with
law abiding respect for the rights or
Others. The display Of these qualities
In such bodies is duty TO the nation
no less than to the associations them
selves. Finally there must also IN
many cases Toe action by the govern
mcnt IN order To safeguard the rights
and interests of all. Under our consti-
tuition there * much more scope for
such action 10y the state and the munic-
ipality than 10y the nation. But on
points such rs those touched on above
the national government can act
He asserts that the immigration laws
are unsatisfactory and that n law
should be enacted to keep out not only
anarchists. but persons Of low moral
tendency or Of unsavory reputation
and those who are below a certain
standard of economic fitness to enter
our industrial Held rs competitors with
American labor.
The THrIH and Reciprocity.
L Il !. fratr ;
could be- more unwise than TO disturb
the business interests Of the country 10y
any general tariff change ~ this time.
He adds
Yet It is not only possible but cmi-
nently desirable, 10 combine with the
stability Of our economic system sup
Elementary system Of reciprocal b"ne-
At and obligation with other nations.
Such reciprocity is an incident aud re-
suit Of the firm establishment aud
preservation OF our present economic
policy II was specially provided for
I'm the present tariff law.
Reciprocity must bc treated rs the
handmaiden Of protection. our first
duty is TO see that the protection grant
ed hy the tarih in every case where II
is needed is maintained. and that reel
procity be sought for so FAR rs II can
safely he done without injury 10 our
home Industries. Just how FAR this is
must bee determined according 10 the
individual case. remembering always
that every application ~ Our tariff poi
lev 10 meet our shifting national needs
must bc conditioned upon the cardinal
fact that The duties must never be
reduced below the point that VIII cover
The difference between the labor cost
here and abroad The we'll being OF
the vagcworkcr j. prime considcra-
tion of orr entire policy OF economic
legislation
Need For Wider Markets
Subject to tiis proviso of the proper
protection necessary 10 our industrial
well being al home. the principle u
reciprocity must command our hearty
support The phcuoAtnai growth OF
our export trade emphasizes the mr.
seucy OF the need for wider markets
and for liberal policy in dealing with
foreign nations. Whatever is merely
petty and vcNatious in the way Of
trade restrictions should be- avoided.
The customers To whom We dispose Of
our surplus products IN the long run,
directly or indirectly. purchase those
surplus products 10y giving us some
thing i'm return Their ability 10 pur-
chase our products should MS far a.
possible bee secured 10y 80 arranging
our tariff a. 10 enable Us 10 take from
them those products which We can use
without harm 10 our own industries
and labor or the use Of which viii be
Of marked benefit to us.
II is most important that We should
maintain the high level Of our present
prosperity. We have now reached the
point I'm the development OF our in
terpets where we are not only able TO
supply our own markets. but 10 pro
duce constantly growing surplus for
which we must find markets abroad.
To secure these markets We can ntil-
ize existing duties IN any case where
they are no longer needed for the pur-
pose OF protection, or in any case
where the article Is not produced here
and the duty is no longer necessary
for revenue. as giving us something to
offer In exchange for what we ask
The cordial relations with other ma
tons which are so desirable will nat
urally be promoted by the course thus
required by our own interests
The Merchant MARINE.
The condition OF the American mer-
chant marine is such as TO call for i'm
mediate remedial action 10y the con.
gress. Ii is diScreditable 10 MS as
nation that our merchant marine
should be utterly insignificant I'm com
parisOn TO that Of other nations which |
we overtop in other forms Of business. |
We should not longer submit to condi- |
tons under which only a triting por-
ton of our great commerce is carried |
in our own ships. To remedy this state |
build up our shipping interests. but il |
would also result In benefit to all who |
are interested in the permanent cStab
lshment Of wider market for Amer
lean products and would provide an
auxiliary force for the navy. Ships
work for their own countries just as
railroads work for their terminal |
points. Shipping lines, il established to
the principal countries with which we |
have dealings. would be Of political az
well as commercial benefit. From ev-
cry standpoint it Is unwise for the |
United States to continue to rely upon |
the ships Of competing nations for the
distribution OF our goods. 1t should be |
made advantageous to carry American |
goods In American built shiDs.
Financial.
The passage Of the act establishing |
,,oId as tho standard money has, IL Is /