The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-12-06
PRESIDENTS ANNUAL MESSAGE
SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS TO-DAY
Relations Of Labor and Capital and the Regulation and Control Of Trusts Are Made
the Paramount Issues. Congress Urged to Strengthen the Powers e
Interstate Commerce Commission to Allow the Fixing Of
Reasonable Feiget Rates.

uaily, and other labor unions which
have often, been among the most ef-
fective agents in working for good
citizenship and for uplifting the con-
dition of those whose welfare should
be closest to our hearts. But when any
labor union, seeks improper ends. or
seeks to achieve proper ends by i'm
proper means, all good citizens and
more especially all honorable public
servants must oppose the wrongdoing
as resolutely as they would oppose
the wrongdoing of any great corpora
ton. OF course any violence, brutality,
or corruption. should not for one mo-
ment be tolerated. Wage-wOrkers have
an entire right to organize and by all
peaceful and honorable means to en-
deavor to- persuade their fellows to
join with them in organizations. They
have legal right, which. according to
circumstances, may or may not be
moral right, to refuse to work in COM
pany with men who decline to join
their organizations. They have under
no circumstances the right to commit
violence upon those, whether capital
lists or wage-workers, who refuse to
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 en-
titled, to the protection and the en-
couragement of the law. From the very
nature of their occupation railroad
men. for instance, are liable TO be
MANNED in doing the legitimate work
of their profession, unless the rail-
road companies are required by law
to make ample provision for their
safety The administration has been
Jealous in enforcing the existing law
for this purpose. That law should be
amended and strengthened. Wherever
the national government has power
there should be a stringent employers
liability law, which should apply to the
government itself where the govern
ment is an employer of labor.
In my message to the fifty y-seventh
congress- at it's second session, urged
the passage of an employers liability
law for the District Of Columbia. now
renew that recOmmendatio n, and fur
ther recommend that the congress ap-
point p commission to make a conf
prehensive study of employers liabili-
ty with the view Of extending the pro-
visions of great and constitutional
law to all employments within the
scope of federal power.
Prevention of Railroad Accidents.
The ever-increasing casualty list
upon our railroads is a matter of grave
action by the congress. In the matter
of speed and comfort of railway travel
our railroads give at least as good
service as those of any other nation,
and there is no reason why this SER
vice should not also be as safe as hu-
man ingenuity can make it. Many Of
our leading roads have been foremost
In the adoption of the most approved
safeguards for the protection of travel
ers and employees, yet the list of
clearly avoidable accidents continues
unduly large. The passage of a law
requiring the adoption of a block-si
nal system has been proposed 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 employees in train service
upon railroads engaged in interstate
commerce, and providing that only
trained and experienced persons be
employed in positions Of responsibility
connected with the operation of trains.
VI course nothing can ever prevent ac-
cIdents caused by human weakness or
misconduct; and there should. be dras-
tic punishment for any railroad en-
plOyee. whether officer or man, who
by issuance of wrong orders or by dis
obedlnece of orders causes disaster.
The law of 1901, requiring Interstate
railroads to make monthly reports of
all accidents to passengers and en-
ployees on duty, should also be amend
ed so as to empower the government
10 make personal investigation
through proper officers, of all acci-
dents involving loss Of life which Seem
to require investigation, with a re-
quirement that the results of such in
vestigation be made public.
Ine esafety-appliance law, as amend
ed by the act of March 2, 1903 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 by appropriation
should be largely increased This SER
vice is analogous to the steamboat
inspection service, and deals with even
more important interests. 1t has passed
the experimental stage and de-
monstrated its utility, and should re-
ceive generous recognition by the con-
gress. ...-..
Union of Government EMPLOYEES.
There is no objection to EMPLOYEES
OF the government forming or belong
ing to unions; but the government can
neither discriminate for nor discrimin-
ate against nonunion men who are In
ITS employment. or who seek to be
employed under it, Moreover. it is a
very grave improperly for govern
ment employees to band themselves
together for the purpose of extorting
improperly high salaries from the gov
ernment. Especially is this true of
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