The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-06
THE MESSAGE.
Continued from First Page.)


within its restricted sphere should set
an example to the state governments,
especially in a matter SO vital as this
affecting labor. 1 believe that under
modern Industrial conditions it is often
necessary, and even where not neceS-
sary it is yet often wise, that there
should be organization of labor in order
better to secure the rights of the in
dividual wage workers. All encourage
ment should be given to any such or
ganizatfon, so long as IL is conducted
with a due and decent regard for the
rights of others. There are in this
country some labor unions which have
habitually, and other labor unions
which have often, been among the most
effective agents in working for good
citizenship and for uplifting the condi-
ton of those whose welfare should be
closest to our hearts But when any
labor union seeks improper ends, OF
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 corporation
OF course any violence, brutality, or
corruption, should not for one moment
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
q legal right, which, according to cir
cumstances. may or may not be a moral
right, to refuse to work in company
CARNATIONS They have under no cir
cumStanceS the right ia commit violence
upon those, whether capitalists or
wage workers, 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.
Employers Liability Law.
The wage-workers are peculiarly en-
titled to the protection and the encour-
agement OF the law. From the very ma
ture of their occupation railroad men, |
for instance, are liable to be MANNED in |
doing the legitimate work of their pro- /
fession, unless the railroad companies /
are required by law to make ample pro- |
vision for their safety. The administra- /
ton 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 en-
ployer's liability law, which should ap-
ply TO the government ITSELF where the
government is an employer OF labor.
In my message to the Fifty-seventh
congress, at its second session, urged 1
the passage of an employers liability
law for the District of Columbia I now
renew that recommendation, and fur
Their recommend that the congress ap-
point a commission to make cOmpre-
hensiye study of employers liability
with the view of extending the provis-
ions of a great and constitutional law
to all employments within the scope OF
federal power.
Medals of Honor.
The government has recognized hero
ism upon the water, and bestows med
ais of honor upon those persons who ,
by extreme and heroic daring have en- I,
dangered their lives in saving, or en- !
deavoring to save, lives from the perils
of the sea in the waters over which the ,
United States has jurisdiction, or upon :
an American vessel This recognition
should be extended to cover cases of :
conspicuous bravery and self-sacrif1ce !
in the saving of life in private employ
h. 7fraTrr hal
United States, and particularly in the :
land commerce of the nation. II
Prevention OF Railroad Accidents.
The ever-increasing casualty list upon I
our railroads is a matter of grave pub {
lie concern, and urgently calls for ac- {
ton by the congress. In the matter of I
speed and comfort of railway travel our /
railroads give at least as good service i
is no reason why this service should g
not also be as safe as human ingenu- i
fly can make it. Many of our leading q
roads have been foremost in the adop- G
for the protection Of travellers and en- [
pIoyes, yet the list of clearly avoidable r
accidents continues unduly large. The [
passage of law requiring the adoption a
of a block-signaI system has been pro- Il
posed to the congress. I earnestly con- c
cur in that recommendation, and would G
also point out to the congress the ur- I
gent need of legislation in the interest c
of the public safety limiting the hours L
of labor for railroad cemployes in train
service upon railroads engaged in inter- g
state commerce, and providing that a
only only trained and experienced per- f
sons be employed in positions of respon- a
sibility connected with the operation of h
trains. OF course nothing can ever pre- n
vent accidents caused by human weak
ness or misconduct; and there should O
be drastic punishment for any railroad a
employe, whether officer or man, who Il
by issuance of wrong orders or by dis
obedience of orders causes disaster. The n
law of 1901, requiring interstate rail- e
roads to make monthly reports of all Q
accidents to passengers and employees n
on duty. should also be amended SO as 8
to empower the government to make a n
personal investigation, through proper II
of all accidents involving loss n
Of life which seem to require investga- \
ton with a requirement that the re- ~
suits of such investigation be made D
public
The safety-appliance law, as amended 8.
by the act of March 2. 1908 has proved =
beneficial to railway employees, and in =
order that its provisions may be pro- n
oerly carried out, the force of inspectors n
provided for by appropriation should r
be largely increased. This service is a
analogous to the steamboat inspection =
service and deals with even more i'm h
experimental stage and demonstrated "
Is utility, and should receive generous r.
recognition by the congress. II
Unions of Government Employees. 81
There is no objection to employees of Y
he government forming or belonging a
20 unions; but the government can
neither discriminate for nor discrim- 2
nate against nonunion men who are in q
is employment, or who seek to be q
employed under it. Moreover, it is a a
-ery grave improperly for govern q
nent employees to band themselves to- rf
yether for the purpose of extorting q
high salaries from the "
Especially is this true of m
hose within the classified SHrKrirn /