New-York tribune., 1906-12-05


very scantily observed Now however, largely
through the instIumentslity OF the bureau of
labor, it is being rigidiy enforced, ana ! snaii
speedily be able say whether or not there is
need of further legislation in reference thereto:
for our purpose is To see it obeyed IN spirit no
less than IN letter. Half holidays during sum-
n,er should be established for government en-
ployes: 1t is desirable for wage workers who
toll with their hands as for salaried of1icals
whose labor is mental that there should be
reasonable amount of holiday
The Congress at its last session wisely pro-
vided for a truant court For the District OF
Columbia, marked step in advance on the
path of properly caring for
Labor of Women the children. Let me again
and Children. urge that the Congress pro-
vide for thorough investi-
cation Of .he conditions of child labor and of the
labor of women in the United States More and
more people are growing to recognize the
fact thai the questions which not merely OF
industrial but of social Importance outweigh all
others; and thes5 two questions most crnphati-
celly come in the category of those which affect
in the most far reaching way the home life of
the nation. The horrors incident to the employ
ment OF young children in factories at work
anywhere are blot on our civilization. II is
true that each state must ultimately settle the
question IN its way: but a thorough official
investigation of the matter, with the results
publlShed broadcast. would greatly help toward
arousing the public conscience and securing
unity of state action in the matter. There is,
however one law on the subtec. which should
be enacted Immediately. because there is
need for an investigation in reference thereto.
ana the failure to enact II is discreditabe to
the national government. drastic and thor
oushgoing child labor law should be enacted for
the District of Columbia and the territories.
Among the excellent laws which the Congress
PASSED at the last session employers
liability law. II was a marked step in advance
to get the recognition of
Employers employers liability on the
Liability. statute books; but the law
did not so far enough. In
spite Of all precautions exercised by employers
there are unavoidable accidents and even deaths
involved in nearly every line of business con-
neCted with the mechanic arts This inevi,a bic
m ha Il.o tn lirlpN
but il cannot he completely eliminated 1t is
great social injustice to compel the employe. or
rather the family of the killed or disabled VIC
TIM, TO bear the entire burden OF such an IN
evitable sacrifice. In other words society shirks
It's duty by laying the whole cost on the victim.
whereas the injury comes from what may be
called the legitimate risks of the trade Com
penSatioii for accidents deaths due in any line
of industry TO the actual conditions under which
that industry is carried on should be paid by
that portion OF the community for the benei. Of
which the industry is carried on-that Is, by
those who profit by the industry. If the entire
trade risk is placed upon the employer he will
promptly and properly add il TO the legitimate
cos o. production and assess it proportionateiy
upon the consumers of his commodity. 1t Is
therefore clear to my mind that the law should
place this entire risk OF trade upon the
employer. Neither the fedora, law nor as far
as / am informed, the state laws dealing with
the question of employers liability are sutfi-
ciently thoroughgoing The federal law should,
of course, include employees in navy Yards, arse
nails ana the like.
The commission appointed by the President
October l6 1902. at the request of both the
thracite coal operators and miners, inquire
into. consider and pass upon
investigation OF the questions i'll controversy
Disputes Between in connection with the strike
Capital and Labor. In the anthracite regions of
Pennsylvania and the causes
out of which the controversy arose in their re-
port. findings and award expressed the belief
that the state and federal governments should
provide the machinery for what may be called
the compulsory Investigation of controversies
between employers and employees when they
arse. IRIS expression OF belief is deserving OF
the favorable consideration of the Congress and
The enactment of its provisions into law. A bill
has already been introduced TO this end.
Records show that during the twenty years
from January !. 1881. to Decembe" 81 1900.
there were strikes affecting 1lI.509 establish
ments. and 6lo5694 employees we're thrown out
of employment. During the same period there
were 1905 lockouts, involving nearly 10000 es-
adjustments. throwing 1000 900 people
out of employment These strikes and lockouts
involved an estimated loss TO employees Of
500 ,oG0oOo and TO employers of S1430OOO0O.
total of S4Joo0OOUD The public suffered di-
Tectly and indirectly probably great addi-
tionai loss But the money loss. great it
was, did not measure the anguish and suffering
endured by the wives and children of employees
whose paw stopped when their work stopped, or
the disastrous effect of the strike or lockout
upon the business Of employers. the increase
I'm the cos. of products ana the Inconvenience
and loss 10 the public.
Many OF these strikes and ockouts would not
have occurred had the parties to the dispute
beer required 10 appear before an unprejudiced
BODY representing The nation, and face to face,
state the reasons for their contention. In most
instances the dispute would doubtless be found
10 he due 10 a misunderstanding by each of the
others rights aggravated by an unwillngness
of either party 10 accept as true the statements
of the other To the justice or injustice of The
matters in dispute. The exercise of judicial
spirit by disinterested body representing the
federal government such would be provided
by commission or cancellations ana arbitration.
would tend TO create al atmosphere OF frfendH-
ness and conciliation between cOntencirg par
ties and the giving TO each side ar equal op-
portunity present fully IS case III the pres
ence of the other would prevent many disputes
from developing into serious strikes or lockoutS
and in other cases would enable the commission
TO persuade the opposing parties 10 come TO
terms
In this age OF great corporate and la Dor com
bnations neither employers nor employees should
be left completely at the mere. OF the stronger
party a dispute, regardless of the righteous
ness of their respective claims The proposed
measure would be III the line of securing recog
milton of the fact that in many strikes the public
has itself an interest. which cannot wisely be
disregarded an interest not merely of general
convenience. for the question OF a just and
proper public policy must also be considered
IN all legislation of this kind ii is well to ad-
vance cautiously, testing each step by the actual
results: the step proposed can surely be safely
taken, for the decisions of the commission would
not bind the parties in legal fashion, and YET
would give d chance for public opinion to crys-
taize. and thus 10 exert its full force for the
right.
1t is not wise that the nation should ALLEVIATE
its remaining coal lands / have temporarily
withdrawn from settlement all tho lands which
the Geological Survey has
Withdrawal of indicated containing, or
Coal Lands in all probability containing
coal The question. how
ever, can be properly settled only by legislation.
which in my Judgment should provide for the
withdrawal of these lands from sale or from
entry, save in certain especial circumstances The
ownership would then remain in the United
States. which should not. however attempt to
work them. but permit them be worked by
private individuals under a royalty system. the
government keeping such control as 20 permit 1t
to see that excessive price charged con-
sumers 1t would. OF course, be necessary to
supervise the rates charged by the common car