The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-07

and expedient to try to secure a constant ly better understanding between employer and employe. Everything possible should be done to Increase the sympathy and fellow-feeling between them, and every chance taken to allow each to look at all questions. especially at questions in dispute, somewhat through the others eyes. If met with a sincere desire to act fairly by one another and If there Is, fur thermore, power by each to appreciate the others standpoint the chance for trouble Is minimized. l suppose every thinking man rejoices when by mediation or arbitration 1t proves possible to settle troubles in time to avert the suffering and bitterness caused by strikes. More ever, conciliation committee can do best work when the trouble is in it's beginning. or at least has not come to head. When the break has actually occurred. damage has been done, and each side feels sore and angry and it is difficult to get them together-difficult to make either forget it's own wrongs and remember the rights of the other. If possible the effort yt concillation or mediation or arbitration should be made in the earlier stages. and should be marked by the wish on the part of both sides to try to come to a common agreement which each shall think in the interests of the other as we'll as of itself.
 Coal Strike Commission.
 When we deal with such a subject we are fortunate in having before us an ad- mirable object lesson in the work that has Just been closed by the anthracite coal strike commission. This was the commission which was appointed last fall at the time when the coal strike in the anthracite regions threatened our nation with disaster second to none which has befallen us since the days of the civil war. Their report was made just before the senate adjourned at the special ses- sion, and no government document of recent years marks a more important piece of work better done. and there is none which teaches sounder social mo- rality to our people. The commission con- sisted Of seven as good men as were to be found in the country, representing the bench the church, the army, the profess sons, the employers and the employed. They acted as a unit, and the report which they unanimously signed Is d masterpiece of sound common sense and of sound doctrine on the very questions with which our people should most deep ly concern themselves. The immediate effect of this commissions appointment and action was of vast and incalcrlahle benefit to the nation; but the ultimate effect will be even better, If capitalist, wage-worker and lawmaker alike will take 10 heart and act upon the lessons set forth in the report they have made.
 Has Small Field.
 Of course the national government has but small field in which 1t can work in labor matters. Something it can do, how ever, and that something ought to be done. Among other things I should like to see the District of Columbia, which is completely under the control of the national government, receive set of model labor laws. Washington Is not a city of very large industries. but still 1t has some. Wise labor legislation for the city of Washington would be a good thing in Itself. and 1t would be a far bet ter thing. because a standard would there- by be set for the country as a whole
 In the field of general legislation relat- ing to these subjects the action of con- gross is necessarily very limited Still there are certain ways in which we can act. Thus the secretary of the navy has recommended with my cordial and hearty approval, the enactment of a strong em- ployers liability law in the navy yards of the ration. It should be extended to similar branches of the government work Again. sometimes such laws can be en- dcteu dS dH llcluent to The nation con trol over interstate commerce. In my last annual message to congress I adyo- cated the passage of a law in reference to car couplings-to strengthen the features of the one already on the statute books so as to minimize the exposure to death and maiming of railway em- ployes. Much opposition had to be over come. In the end an admirable law was passed "to promote the safety of en- ployes and travellers upon railroads by compelling common carriers engaged in interstate commerce to equip their cars with automatic couplers and continuous brakes and their locomotives with drivin. wheel brakes" This law received my signature couple of days before con- gress adjourned. It represents a real and substantial advance in an admirable kind of legislation.