The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-06

yet find that the chief factor in deter-
mining his success or failure In life Is the
sum of his own individual qualities. He
can not afford to lose his Individual ini-
tiative, his individual will and power; but
he can best use that power If for certain
objects he unites with his fellows. Much
can be done by organization, combination,
union among the wage workers; finally
something can be done by the direct action
of the state. 1t is not possible empirically.
to declare when the interference Of the
state should be deemed legitimate and
when illegitimate.
The line of demarcation between un-
healthy overinterference and unhealthy
lack Of regulation is not always we'll de-
fined. 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 absolutely necessarily
but it is equally true that when confident
of it's necessity we should not on academic
grounds refuse it. Wise factory laws,
laws to forbid the employment Of child Ia
Dor and to safeguard the employees against
the effects of culpable negligence by the
employer are necessary, not merely In the
interest of the wage worker, but in the in
terest OF the honest and humane en-
ployer who should not be penalized for
his honesty and humanity by being ex-
posed to unchecked competition with an
unscrupulous rival. 1t is far more diff
cult to deal with the greed that works
through cunning than with the greed that
works through violence. But the effort
to deal with it must be steadily made.
The Problems Of Labor.
Very much Of our effort in reference to
labor matters should be by every device
and expedient to try to secure a con-
stantly better understanding between en-
ployer 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,
furthermore, power by each to appreciate
the others standpoint, the chance for
trouble is minimiZed. I suppose every
thinking man rejoices when by mediation
or arbitration it proves possible to settle
troubles in time to avert the suffering and
bitterness caused by strikes. Moreover,
Cancellation committee can do best work
when the trouble is in its 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 1t is difficult to get them to-
gether--diffcult to make either forget its
own wrongs and remember the rights Of
the other. If possible the effort at con-
ciliation 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 COM
mon agreement which each shall think in
the interests of the other as well as OF
itself.
The Coal Commission.
When we deal with such a subject we
are fortunate in having before us an ad-
mira BILE 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 session
and no government document Of recent
years marks a, more important piece OF
work better done. and there Is none which
teaches sounder social morality to oul
people. The commission consisted Of
seven as good men as were to be found
Kin the country, representing the bench
the church. the army, the professions, the
employers and the employed. They actec
as unit, and tho report which they unan'
inously signed is a masterpiece OF sounc
Z common sense and Of sound doctrine OF
the very questions with which our peo
pie should most deeply concern them
selves. The immediate effect of this com
missions appointment and action was 0
vast and incalculable benefit to. the ma
tion; but the ultimate effect will be ever
better. if capitalist wage worker and law
a.. maker alike will take to heart and &C
upon the lessons set forth in the repor
they have made
Model Labor Laws Suggested.
+. OF course the national government ha,
but a small field in which it can work II
labor matters. Something it can do, how
ever. and that something ought to b
done. Among other things should lik
to see the District of Columbia, which i
completely under the control Of the ma
e. tional government receive a set of mode
labor laws. Washington is not city Q
very large industries, but still it has some
Wise labor legislation for the city c
Washington would be a good thing i
itself, and it would be a. far better thin
because a standard would thereby be sc
for the country as a whole.
In the field Of general legislation relat
Ing to these subjects the action Of cor
gress is necessarily very limited. Sti
there are certain ways in which we ca
act. Thus the secretary Of the navy ha
* recommended, with my cordial and heart
approval. the enactment of a strong en-
ployers' liability law In the navy-yards {
the nation. 1t should be extended to sim
VI
Again, sometimes such laws can be er
acted as an incident to the nations cor
troll over interstate commerce. In m
last annual message to congress I advt
Gated the. passage Of "a, law in referent
to car couplings-to strengthen the fea
ures of the one already on the statu
books so as to minimize the exposure
death and manning of railway employe
Much opposition had to By overcome.
the end 81 admirable law was passed !"
promote t.S~ safety Of employees and ira,
elers upon railroads by compelling con
mon carriers engaged in interstate con
merce to equip their cars with automat
coUplers and continuous brakes and the
locomotives with driving wheel brakes
This law received my signature a coup
of days before congress adjourned. It r,
resents a real and substantial advance
All admirable kind of legislation.
At the conclusion Of his address t
presidential party. was driven to the Gre
Northern depot and at $50 a. m. the sp
'cial train left for Yankton.
HALF AN HOUR AT MITCHELL
The President Makes snappy Talk Fro
Platform.
Special to The Journal
YanktOn, s, D.. Anril 6-Preside