The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-06


other as in the old days was the case
the country districts
OF course, fundamentally. each man
viii vet find that the chief factor in de
termining his success OF failure in life
is the sum OF his own individual quail
ties He cannot afford to lose his indi-
viduaI initiative, his individual viii and
power; but he can best use that power
If for certain objects he unites with his
fellows. Much can be done by oTganiza-
tion. combination, union among the
wage workers: finally something can be
done by the direct action or the state.
1t is not possible emPirieaIy 10 declare
when the interference of the state
should be deemed legitimate and when
ilegitimate.
National Governments Duty.
The line of demarcation between I'M
healthy overinterference and unhealthy
lack of regulation is not always well
defined. and shifts with the change in
our industrial needs Most certainly We
should never invoke the interference Of
the state or nation unless it is abso-
IuteIy necessary but If IS equally true
that when confident of its necessity We
should not on academic grounds refuse
tt
Wise factory laws, laws 10 forbid the
employment OF child labor and to safe
guard the employees against the effects
of culpahIe negligence by the employer.
are necessary. not merely in The interest
of the wage worker. bur IN the iuteres:
of the honest and humane employer. who
should not he penalzed for his honesty
and humanity by beiag exposed 10 IN
checked competition with an unscruPu-
lous rival It IS TAR more difficult 20
deal with the greed that works through
cunning than with the greed that works
through violence. But the effort TO deal
With II must be steadily made
Better Understanding.
Very much Of our effort in refer
ence 20 labor matters should be BY
every device and expedient TO try TO Sc
cure a constantly better understanding
between employer and employe. Every
thing possible should be done to in
crease The sympathy and fellow-feeling
between them, and every chance taken
10 allow each 10 look at all questions,
especially at questions in dispute, some
what through The others eyes
II suppose every thinking man reioiccs
when by mediation or arbitration II
proves possible to settle troubles in
time to avert the suffering and bitter
ness caused by strikes"
Praise for Americans.
The President referred 10 the anthra-
cite coal strike commission as an *'ad-
mirable object lesson along these lines
The strike, he said. threatened our ma
ton with disaster second 10 none
which has befallen US since the days OF
the civil war"
or the commissions report, he said:
NO Government document Of recent
years marks : more important piece OF
work better done, and there is none
which teaches sounder social morality 10
our people He further termed it "a
masterpiece Of sound common sense. and
Of sound doctrine on the very questions
with which our people should most
deeply concern themselves The immedi-
ment and action was of vast and meal
culabIe benefit 10 the nation; but the Ill
innate effect VIII be even better, If cap
italist. wage worker. and Iawmaker alike
win take 10 heart and act upon the les
sons set forth in the report they have
made"
Districts Needs
Tho E5,sgsr4s,. - ,-.,s.-.-.,. "a n. ne
triet Of Columbia was as follows.
of course. the National Government
has but a small field in which it can
work IN labor matters Something it can
do. however. and that something ought to
be done Among other things I should
like 10 see the District of Columbia
which is completely under the control OF
the National Government. receive a set
of model labor laws. Washington is not
a city of very large industries. but still
It has some Wise labor legislation for
the city OF Washington would be a good
thing in itself, and IL would be a far
better thing, because a standard would
thereby be set for the country as q
whole"
The President concluded by comment
ing upon general legislation relating tc
these subjects which had been put into
effect recently. He mentioned the enact
meut Of strong employers liability Law
il the navy yards of the nation, and the
law compelling common carriers engaged
in interstate commerce 10 equip then
cars with automatic coupIers and con
tinuous brakes ard their locomotive:
with driving wheel brakes This" sail
the President, represents a real anC
substantial advance in an admirabl,
kind Of legislation.
Addressed Children.
Before talking IN The square The Prest
dent addressed Jhe school children Of tn
city in the auditorium. He told then
that be liked the meeting better thar
any he was likely 70 attend He CAV
them a fatherly, not TO say a grand
fatherIy TAX telling Susie" how t,
make mamma&appy, and Tommy nov
70 make papa Proud
The President finished bis speech in
furry Of snow, driven by forty-miI
wind.
BRADBURY COMPANY OFFERS
MEDALS FOR SCHOOL PRIZE.
As result Of conferences betwee