The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
PRESIDENTS -.
MESSAGE
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should not for one moment be toler-
ated wage-workers have an entire
right to organize and by all peaceful
and honorable means to endeavor
to persuade their fellows to join with
them in organization. They have
q legal right, which, according to
circumstances, may or may not be
a moral right, to refuse to work in
company with men who decline to
Join their organizations. They have
under no circumstances the right to
commit violence upon those, whether
capitalists or wage-workers, who re-
fuse to support their organizations.
or who side with those with whom
they are at odds; for mob rule is
intolerable in any form.
Employers liability Law.
The wage-workers are peculiarly
entitled to the protection and the
encouragement of the law. From the
very nature Of their occupation rail-
be manned in doing the legitimate
work of their profession, unless the
railroad companies are required by
law to make ample provision for their
safety. That law should be amended
and strengthened. Wherever the
National Government has power there
should be stringent employers
Dl-I Ia til. ,lA TO
the Government itself where the Gov
ernment is an employer of labor.
Modal Of Honor.
The government has recognized
heroism upon the water. and bestows
medals of honor upon those persons
who by extreme and heroic daring
have endangered their lives in saving,
or endeavoring to save, lives from
the perils OF the sea In waters over
which the United States has juris-
diction, or upon any American vessel.
This recognition should be extended
to cover cases OF conspicuous bravery
and self-sacriiice In the saving OF
life in private employments under
the jurisdiction of the United States,
and particularly in the land COM
merce of the nation.
Prevention OF Railroad Accidents.
The ever-increa sing casualty list
upon our railroads Is n matter Of
grave public concern, and urgently
calls for action by the congress. In
the matter of speed and comfort of
railway travel our roads give at least
as good service as those of any other
nation. and there Ia no reason why
this service should not be as safe as
any human ingenuity can make It,
The list of clearly avoidable accidents
continues unduly large. The passage
of law requiring the adoption of
q block signal system has been pro-
posed to the congress. l earnestly
concur In that recommendation. and
would also point out to the congress
the urgent need of Legislation in the
interest Of the public safety limiting
the hours of labor for railroad EN-
EsPloyes. and providing that trained and
experienced persons be employed in
positions of responsibility connected
with the operation of trains.
Union Of Government Emloyes.
There is no objection to employees
of the government forming or be-
longing to unions: but the govern
ment can neither discriminate for nor
discriminate against nonunion men
who are In its employment. or who
seek to be employed under it. More
over. 1t Is n very grave improperly
for government employees to band
themselves together for the purpose
of cxtorting improperly high salaries
from the government Especially il
this true of those within the classi-
fled service The letter carriers, both
municipal and rural. are rs "A whole
an excellent body of public servants.
They should be amply paid.
Bureau Of Labor.
Much can be done by the govern.
ment in labor matters merely by CIV
ing publicity to certain conditions
The bureau of labor has done ex-
cellent work of this kind in many
different directions. l shall shortly
lay before you In a special message
the full report of the investigation
OF the bureau OF labor into the
Colorado mining strike. as this is
q strike In which certain very evil
forces which are more or less at
work everywhere under the conditions
of modern industrialism became
startlingly prominent.
Corporations.
When we come to deal with great
corporations the need for the Govern
ment to act directly Is far greater in
the case of labor, because great cor
porations can become such only by
engaging in the interstate commerce.
and interstate commerce Is peculiarly