Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
 GIVEN TO CONGRESS.
New Postmaster for Milford to Take Place of Man Who Went Wrong Extra Letter Carrier Refused at Naugatuck Receipts of Cface Have Decreased
 Connecticut Visitors at Opening of Congress

Me laws affecting the employmenL or capital in huge masses.
 With regard to labor, the problem is no less important, but it is simpler. As long as the states retain the primary controlof the police power the circun- stances must be altogether extreme which reqnire interference by the fed eral authorities, whether in the way of safeguarding the rights of labor or in the way of seeing that wrong is not i done by l1nruly persons who shield themselves behind the name of labor. If there is resistance to the federal courts, interference with the malls or interstate commerce or molestatton of federal property, or if the state authori- ties in some crisis which they are un- able to face call for help, then the fed eraI government may interfere; but, though such interference may be caus- ed by a condition of things arising out of trouble connected with some ques- tion of labor, the interference itself simply takes the form Of restoring or der without regard to the questions which have caused the breach of or der. In the District of Columbia and in the territories the federal law cov- CTS the entire field of government. But the labor question is only acute in populous centers of commerce, manu- eactures or mining. Nevertheless both ttn the enactment and in the enforce ment of law the federal government within it's restricted sphere should set an example to the state governments, especially in matter So vital as this afFecting labor.
 LABOR UNIONS.
 I believe that under modern indus trial conditions it is often necessary and even where not necessary it is yet of ten wise that there should be organiza- tion of labor tn order better to secure the rights of the individual wagework er. All encourag cement should be given to any such organization so long as it is conducted with a. due and decent re- gard for the rights of others There are in. this country some labor unions which have habituaIly and other labor unions which have often been among the most effective agents in working flor good citizenship and for uplifting the condition of those whose welfare should be closest to our hearts. But when any labor union seeks Improper ends or seek to achieve proper ends by improper means all good citizens, and more especially all honorable pub lie serva ants. must oppose the Nrong gdo- ling as resolutely as they would oppose. [ the wronedoing of any great corpora- tton- Violence, brutality or corruption should not for one moment be tolerat- ed
 ENTIRE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.
 Wageworkers have an entire right to organize and by. all peaceful and honorable means to epdeayor to per suade their fellows to join with them lin organizations They have, a. legal right which, according to circum- stances, may or may not be 8 moral right, to refuse to work in company with men who decline to join their orr ganizations. They have under no cir cumstances the right to. commit yio- lence upon those, whether capitalists or wageworkers, who refuse to support their organizations or who side with those with whom they are at odds, for mob rule is intolerable in any form.
 The wa geworkers are peculiarly enti- tied to the protection and the encour agement of the law Wherever the na- 1 tionaI government has power there should be stringent employers liabiI- l ity law, which should apply to the gov- ernment itself where the government is an employer of labor.
 PREVENTION or RAILROAD AccI-
 DENTS.
 The ever increasing casualty list up on our railroads isea matter of grave public concern and urgently calls for action by the congress. Tue passage of a law requiring the adoption of a block signal system has. been proposed to the congress. earnestly concur in that recommendation and would also point ut to the congress the urgent need of agislation in the interest of the public
 fety limiting the hours of labor for
 9s'e1 e's,-7 'as-ees in train service t1p- merce ana providing that only trained and experienced persons be employed in positions of responsibility connected with the operation of trains.
 The safety appliance law, as amend. ed by the act of March ?, 1908, has. proved beneficial to railway employees. and in order that it's provisions may be properly carried out the force of in- spectors provided for hy appropriation should be largely increased. This serv- ice has passed the experimental, stage aud should receive generous recogni- tion by the. congress.
 UNIoNISM IN GOVERNMENT OF-
 FTCES.
 There is no objection to employees of the government forming or belonging to unions, but the government can nei- ther discriminate for nor discriminate against nonunion men who are in it's employment or who seek to be em- pioyed under 1t. Moreover, 1t Is a very grave impropriety for government en. ployees to band themselves together for the purpose of extorting improperly high salaries from the government. Especially is this true of those within the classified service The letter car riers, both municipal and rural, are as