The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-12-09

atcd. WaEe-Workcrs nave an entire f-eNt
% organize and By all peaceful and honor
able means 70 endeayor 10 persuade their
fellows 20 join with them m organiz2-
tons They have a legal right, which.
according 10 circumstances. may or may
not be moral right. 70 refuse 20 work
in company with men who ctcline % JOIN
their organizations They have under no
circumstances the right 20 commit v.o-
lence upon those. whether capitalists or
wage-workers. who refuse 10 support
their organizations. or who side with
those with whom they are a. odds for
mob rule Is intolerable IN any form
Employers Liability Law.
The ge-workers are peculiarly en-
titled 70 the protection and the encoar-
agement OF the law. From ne very na-
ture o. their occupation railroad men. for
Instance. are liable 10 De maimed ia do
ing the legitimate work OF their profess
sion unless the railroad companies are
required by law 20 make ample provision
for their safety The administration has
been jealous In enforcing the eNistins law
for this purpose That law should be
amended and strengthened. Wherever
the national government has power there
should be q stringent employers liability
law. which should apply 20 the govern
ment itself where the government s an
employer o. labor.
In my message 70 the Fifty-seventh
the passage 81 an employers liability law
for the District OF Columbia now re-
new that recommendations. and further
recommend that the congress appoint a
commission 20 make comprehensive
study OF employers liability with the
View OF extending the provisions OF =
great and constitutional law TO al en-
Payments within the scope OF federal
power.
Medals Of Honor.
The government has recognized hero.sm
upon the water. and bestows medals OF
honor upon those persons who by ex-
IRENE and heroic daring have endangered
their lives in saving, or endeavcr.ng 70
save. lives from the perils Of the sea in
the waters over which the United states
has Jurisdiction. OF upon an American
vessel This recognition should be eN-
tended 70 cover cases OF conspicuous
bravery and self-sacrdce in the saving
cf life In private employments under the
Jurisdiction OF the United States. and
particularly in the land commerce. OF the
nation
Prevention OF Railroad Accidents.
The ver-increasing casualty list upon
our railroads is a matter % grave public
concern. ard urgently calls for action by
the congress IN the matter q speed and
comfort OF railway travel our rallrc
give az least as good service as those Of
amy other nation. and there Is no reason
o. hy this service should rot also Re as safe
as human ingenuity can make t. Many Of
our leading roads have been foremost IT.
TIE adoption of TIE most approved safe
guards FOR the protection OF travellers and
employees yet the list Of clearly avoiiab.e
accidents continues unduly large. The
passage OF a Jaw requiring the adoption OF
a block signal system has been proposed
70 the congress ! earnestly concur IN
that recommendation. and would also point
out 70 the congress the urgent need Of
legislation n the iuteres. OF the public
safety limiting the hours OF labor for rail-
road employees IL train service upon rail-
roads engaged In interstate commerce and
providing that only trained and experienced
persons be employed in positions Of re-
sponsibility connected with the operation
OF trains OF course. nothing car ever
prevent accidents caused by human weak
ness or misconduct: and there should De
drastic punishment for any railroad en-
p.oye. whether officer or man. who by issu-
ance OF wrong orders or by d.sobeterce
OF orders causes disaster. The law Of 1901.
requiring interstate railroads 10 make
monthly reports OF al accidents 10 passen-
gers and employees on duty. should also be
amended so as 20 empower the government
70 make a personal investigation. through
proper officers. Of al accidents involving
loss OF life which seem 10 require inves,iga-
ton with a requirement that the results
OF such Investigation be made pubic.
Tbs safety appliance law. as amended BY
tie act of March > 1875. has proved tene-
: fetal TO railway employees and in order
that It's provisions may be properly carrie
Out the force Of inspectors provided for ~
appropriation should be largely increased.
THIS service is analogous 20 the steamboat
= Inspection service. ard deals with even
more important interests IL has passed
4 the experimental stage ard demonstrate !
is utility and should receive generous
E recognition b the congress
Unions Of Government Employees.
There is no objection to employees u The
government forming or belonging "a
unions: but the government can neither
discriminate Tor nor discriminate against
nonunion men who are ir IT'S employment
or who seek 10 be employed under T.
Moreover II is q very grave improperly
for government employees 10 band them.
I selves together for the purpose o. extortirg
Improperly high salaries from the govern.
ment Especially Is this true ofthose with
IN the classified service The ietfer car
riers. both municipal and rural are as a
whole an excellent body OF public servants
They should be amply paid. But their pay.
ment must be obtained by arguing theil
claims fairly and honorabiy before ths
congress. and not BY banding together FOL
the defeat OF those congressman who re
fuse 20 give promises which they canno
IN conscience give The administration hal
already taken steps 20 prevent and punisi
abuses Of this nature. but IL will be Wis
for the congress to supplement- this actor
by legislation
Corporations.
When We come 20 deal with great cor
porations the need FOR the govern ment q
act directly is far greater than In the cas-
OF labor. because great corporations cal
become such only BY engaging In interstat
commerce. and interstate commerce Is re
cu,larly The field OF the general govern
ment 1t is an absurdity 10 expect 10 elm
mate the abuses In great corporations b
state action IL Is difficult 10 be patien
with an argument that such matters shoul
be left 10 the states. because more tha
one state pursues the policy o. creating o
easy terms corporations which are neye
operated within that state a. al. but I
other states whose laws they ignore. tn
national government alone can deal aC'
cuateiy with these great corporations. 7
try 10 deal with them In an intenperat
destructive or demasogic spirit would.
all probability. mean that nothing wha
ever would be accomplished. and with al
solute certainty that II anything were a.
. compiished ~ would be OF a harmful nj
! ture The American people need 20 col
;inue 20 show the very qualities that the