The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-01-14

lo'0hCs, Would IL not be well here and
now, In anticipation of what may vel
be yelled In the womb Of the future
to enact law looking to the arbitra
ton OF disputes b tween capital and
. labor in cases where either agree
ments cannot be reached, or one OF
, other OF the parties to the controversy
VIII not confer. One thing is certain
that where one party to a dispute de
chnes TO confer or submit to a fair
ana impartial tribunal of arbitration.
II IS taken by the citizen as a confes-
sion OF weakness, and sentiment is
apt to be arrayed on the side of him
VINO proposes arbitration rather than
on that OF him who declines.
In this connection, while yet Oregon
is in its infancy of industrial and
commercial development, a law ought
to be passed regulating the employ
ment of children and minors IN facto-
ries and workshops Such legislation
would not be seriously opposed at
tnis time, because as yet, be IL said to
the credit of the state, child employ
ment Is measurably limited. But
Judging by the experience of other
states, as manufacturing establish
ments increase in numbers and in
operatives, and competition becomes
active, the Employment of children
viii increase in proportion and be
come engrafted in our social and in.
dustrial system. When that time ar
riyes, curative legislation becomes
idificult of accomplishment
Acting then upon the theory that
an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure. some legislation along
the lines here suggested ought to be
enacted.
| Conditions have changed and are
changing so rapidly that conservatism
ought to be observed in all legislation
along the lines suggested. In avoid
ing Scylla, let us not strike Charyb.
dis. THE individual is no longer the
unit of competition" some one has
observed, but an aggregation of indi-
viduals, called a corporation. Con-
bination is the watchword, but out of
1t all let us hope may come true co.
operation and recognition of the
solidarity Of the race and the brother
hood OF man. Our legislation must
meet these changed and changing
conditions"
AS a first step TO a thorough under
standing Of the relative conditions of
capital and labor in the state. a bureau
of labor ought TO be established or a
commissioner appointed TO inquire
into and report to the next session of
the legislature. knowledge upon the
subject Is the first step In intelligent
legislation, and this cannot be aA
tanned without careful investigation
by some man or body of men specially
appointed for that purpose
Initiative and Referendum.
The people have seen at to adopt
m amendment to the constitution |
providing for the Initiative and Ref |
erendum. Official extravaganza, and I
n disregard OF the best interests OF |
he commonwealth by legislative bod |
les, originated the demand for this |
innovation. Legislative contests over |
the election OF United States senators. |
and lobbies In the interest OF railway |
and other corporations, have SO OBJ !
structed legislation in years gone by, |
hat many laws actually demanded |
have failed Of enactment, while others /.
absolutely without merit and vicious .
In their tendency have found lodgment
on the statute books. AS means TO I
check these eyils-sins of omission
and of cOmmission--the Initiative and
Referendum Is 10 be attempted, and
there Is no question but that the effect
will be beneficial. To give the amend
mont a fair trial some legislation
ought to be had at this session 10
make IL effective II is urged by some
gentlemen of eminent legal attain
nents that the provision is self opera
i've, and that no legislation whatever
s necessary. whilst others whose I
opinions are entitled TO equal weight l
an opposite view. With !
his latter view l concur. The fact S
hat thereis a difference OF opinion on q
he subject suggests the propriety of c
he enactment Of a law at this session u
hat will set the question at rest by Z
making II incumbent upon the proper o
ficials 10 furnish the people with the p
ecessary information and blanks for p
ireCt legislation. as well as for sub p
hitting TO them under the referendum p
Or their approval or dlsproval such D
cts as the legislature may pass under ia
ne provisions of the constitution.
upport Of Insane and lncorrigible. "
Some provision ought to be made -
)r compelling the near relatives OF
lsane peEsons confined in the asylum ne
} contribute toward their support In m
lses where they are so situated u'
nancially as 10 be able 10 do so. ci
nd so with incorngibles sent 10 the tl
form school. Their parents. where 10
Die, should be made 10 assist the on
ate In the support and education of Ga
eir children. At the time when ce
ltient Is committed to the asylum, le
a boy sentenced 10 the reform Lh'
hoOl, the court could easily ascer He
in the financial condition OF the per ga
ms whose Outy II should be 10 con on
Ibute 10 the support OF these wards iol
the state, and render judgment ac- en-
rdingly. The enactment OF such a th'
" would result In a saving OF many Ia
Of dollars 10 the state each WI
ar hc
Convict Labor. COZ
The state now has a contract with 5nl
p LOwenberg e. Going Company, ~
ecuted February /, 1889, and explr- 5,,
: July 20, 1905, for the labor OF one uu, ,,
ndred cOnvicts az thirty-hYe cents ~
r day Of ten hours each; and for