The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-07

4
is the sum of his own individual quail
| ties. He can not afford to lose his in
| dividual initiative, his individual will
and power; but he can best use that
rover if for certain objects he unites
with his fellows. Much can be done bv
| organization, combination, union among
| the wage workers.; finally something can
be done by the direct action of the State.
| 1.-The line of demarcation between un-
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-
| lutely necessary; but it is equally true
| that when confident of its necessity, We
should not on academic grounds refuse it,
Wise factory laws, laws to forbid the en-
ployment of child labor and to safeguard
| the employees against the effects of cul-
pable negligence by the employer, are
necessary, not merely in the interest of
the wage-worker, but in the interest Of
the honest and humane employer, who
should not be penalized for his honesty
and humanity by being exposed to un-
checked competition with an unscrupu-
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.
Very much of our effort in reference
to labor matters should be by every de-
vice and expedient to try to secure con-
stantly better understanding between
employer and employee. 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. A conciliation
committee can do best work when the
trouble is in it's beginning, or at least
has not come to a head.
when we deal with such 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 re-
cent years marks a more important piece
of work better done, and there is none
which teaches sounder social morality to
our people. The commission consisted of
seven as good men as were to be found
in the country representing the bench,
the church, the army, the professions,
the employers. and the employed They
acted as unit, and the report which they
unanimously signed is a masterpiece Of
sound common sense and of sound doc
trine on the very questions with which
our people should most deeply concern
themselves. The immediate effect of this
commissions appointment and action
was of vast and incaleulable benefit to
the nation: but the ultimate effect will be
even better. if capitalist wage worker,
and law-maker alike will take to heart
and act upon the lessons set forth in the
report they have made.
''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 / should
like to 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
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 it would be far bet
ter thing, because a standard would
thereby be set for the country as whole.
In the field of general legislation re-
iatlng to those subjects the action of
congress 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 J
strong employers liability law in the |
navy yards of the nation. 1t should be
extended to similar branches of the gov
cTnment work Again, sometimes such
laws can be enacted as an incident to the
nations control over interstate commerce
In my last annual message to Congress |
l advocated the pasasge of a law in refer |
ence TO car couplings-to strengthen the |
features OF the one already on the statute
books so as TO minimize the exposure to |
death and maintaining of dailway en- !
ployees. An admirable law was passed |
to promote safety of employees and trav- |
elers upon railroads by compelling com |
man carriers engaged in interstate com |
merce to equip their cars with automatic |
couplers and continuous brakes and their |
locomotives with driving wheel brakes. "
This law received my signature a couple |
of days before Congress adjourned. 1t |
represents real and substantial advance !
in an admirable kind of legislation.
At the conclusion of his address. the |
Presidential party was driven to the |
Great Northern depot and the special |
train left for Yankton.
Seeking Daughter Who Escaped.