The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-12-10
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Organizations Should Regard the
Rights Of Others.

Rights Of Others.
In the vast and complicated meehan-
ism OF our modern civilized life the
dominant note is the note OF Industrial
ism; and the relations OF capital and
labor. and especially OF organized capt
tai and organised labor. to each other
and to the public at large come second
in Importance only to the intimate Ques-
tons OF family life Our peculiar form
Of government. with Its sharp division OF
authority between the nation and the
several states. has been on the whole
far more advantageous to our develop
ment than a more strongly centralized
government But II Is undoubtedly re-
sponsible for much OF the difficulty Of
meeting with adequate legislation the
new problems presented by the total
change In Industrial conditions on this
continent during the last half century.
In actual practice II has proved exceed
ingly difficult. and in many cases impos-
sible, to get unantmity OF wise action
among the various states on thess sub
iects. From ths very nature OF the case
this Is especially true Of the laws at
fecting the employment OF capital In
huge masses.
Important, but Simple.
With regard to labor the problem is no
less important but IL Is simpler. As long
as the states retain the primary control
Of the police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
qulIe interference by the federal authori-
ties. whether in the way Of safeguard
ing the rights Of labor or in the way Of
seeing that wrong Is not done BY unruly
persons who shield themselves behind the
name o. labor. II there Is resistance 10
the federal courts. Interference with the
mails, or interstate commerce, or mOles-
rF Ia zf a "a
authorities in some crisis which they are
unable TO face call for help, then the fed
eral government may interfere: but
though sucn Interference may be caused
by condition Of things arising out OF
trouble connected with some question OF
labor. the interference itself simply takes
the form OF restoring order without re-
gard TO the questions which have caused
the breach OF ordsr-tor 10 keep order
10 primary duty and q a time Of dis
order and violence all other questions
sink into allegiance until order mas been
restored
In the District Of Columbia and in
the territories the federal law
covers the entire field OF government;
but the labor question Il only acute in
populous Centers Of commerce. manufac-
lures or mining Nevertheless, both in
the enactment and in the enforcement of
Law the federal government within its re-
stricted sphere should set an example to
the state governments. especially in a
matter 50 vital as this affecting labor |
believe that under modern Industrial con-
dltlOns II Is often necessary, and even
where not necessary 1t Is yet often wise,
that there should be organization OF labor
In order better 10 secure the rights Of the
individual wage worker. All encourage
ment should be given to any such organI-
zatiOn, 50 long as it Is conducted with a
due and decent regard for the rights OF
others
There are In this country some
labor unions which have haOitualiy. and
other labor unions which nave often, been
among the most effective agents in work
ing for good citizenship and for uplifting
tins condition 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
improper means. all good citizens. and
more especially all honorable public
servants. must oppose the WrOngdOlng as
FesOlutely as they would oppose the
wrOngdoins Of any great corporation. OF
course, any violence, brutality or cor
ruptlOn should not for one moment be
tolerated WagewoTksrs have an entire
right to organize and BY all peaceful and
honorable means to eudeayor 70 persuade
their fellows 70 Join with them Ia organi-
nations. They have a legal right, which.
according 70 circumstances. may or may
not be moral right. to refuse to work
In company with men who decline 70
join their organizations They have IN
der no circumstances the right 10 com
nit violence upon those. whether capt
falists or wageworkers, who refuse to
support their organizations. or who side
with those with whom they are at odds.
for mob rule 4 intolsrable In any form.
Employers Liability Law.
The WagswOrkers are peculiarly entitled
to the protection and the encouragement
Of the law. From the very nature of their
occupation railroad men. for instance, are
liable 10 be MANNED In doing the lsgiu-
mate work Of their profession unless the
railroad companies are required By law
to make ample provision for their safety
The administration has peen Jealous IN
enforcing the existing law FOR this pui-
pose. That Law should be amended and
strengthened. Wherever the national
government has power there should be a
stringent employers liability law, which
should apply 70 the government Itself
where the government ID an employer VI
labor
In my message TO the Fifty seventh
congress- at its second session. I urged
the passage OF an employers liability Law
for the District Of Columbia. l now re-
new that recommendation. and further
recommend that the congress appoint q
commission TO make q comprehensive
study OF employers liability with the
view Of extending the provisions OF