The Washington times., 1906-12-04
District to Be SM0deL
Of Social Legislation

The Congress at its last session wisely
provided for a truant court FOR the Dis
tTict Of Columbia: a marked step in ad-
vance on the path OF properly caring
for the children. Let me again urge
rhat the Congress provide for q thor
ough Investigation Of the conditions OF
child labor and OF the labor Of women
IN the United States. More and more
our people are growing % recognize tho
fact that the questions which are not
merely Of Industrial but Cf social i'm
pOrtance outweigh all others. and these
tWO questions most empl4Llgally come
in the category OF those WHlcn aHecL n
the most far-reachlug way the nome ne
0I the nation.
The horrors incident to the employ
menU OF young children in factories or
1T work anywhere are a blot on our
civilization II IS true that -ach Slals
must ulJimatey = settle the question IN
It's own way but q thorough official in
vesJigation OF the matter, with the re-
suits published broadcast, would greatly
help toward arouslng the pubic con-
science and securing unity OF State ac-
ticu IN the matter
There is. however, one law on the
subject which should be enacted i'm
mediately, because there IS no need Tor
an Investigation IN reference thereto,
and the failure 10 enact IL is discredit-
able 10 the National Government A
law should be enacted for the District
Of Columbia and the Territories
Among the excellent laws which the
Congress passed al the last session was
an employers liability law. it was q
marked step ia advance 70 get the reccg-
milton OF employers liability on the
statute books bat the law o.d not 90
faT enough.
In spite of all precautions exercised by
employers there are unavoidable aCCi-
dents and even deaths involved ia
nearly every line OF business connected
with the mechanic arts. This inevitable
sacrifice of life may be reduced 10
minimum, but IL cannot be completely
eliminated II is q great social inJus-
the family Of the killed o.: disabled VIC
tim. 10 bear the entire burden Of such
an inevitable sacrifice.
In other words society shfrks its duty
whereas the injury comes from what
may be called the legitimate risks OF tbs
trade Compensation Tor accidents or
deaths due IN any line Of industry TO
the actual conditions under which that
industry s. carried on, should be paid.
by that portion OF the community for
Inc beneht Of which the industry is car
ried on-that is. BY those who profit
By the industry.
II the entire trade risk IS placed upon
the employer he viii promptly and prop
erly add IL TO the legitimate cost OF
production and assess il proDOrtOnately
II Is therefore clear - nay mind that
the law should place this entire risk
OF trade upon the employer. Neither
the Federal law. nor. as lar as 1 ana
the question Of employers liability are.
sufficiently thOroughgoing- The Federal
law should, OF course. include employees
IN navy yards. arsenalS, and the like.
The commission appointed by the
President October 16, 1902. at the request
Of both the anthracite coal operators
and miners, 10 inquire intO, consider,
ard pass upon the question IN cOntTO-
V5rsy IN connection with the strike IN
the anthracite regions Of Pennsylvania
and the causes out OF which the contFo-
and award expressed the belief 'that
the State and Federal governments
should provide the machinery for what
may be called the compulsory investiga-
tion OF controversies between employers
and employees when tEeE arise"
This expression OF belief is deserving
of the favorable consideration OF tha
Congress and the enactment Of its pro-
visions into law. A bin has already been
introduced 20 this end.
Records show that during the twenty
years from January I. 1881, TO DeCemb Der
n. 1890, there were strikes affecting
llT5o9 establishments. and G.105.694 en-
pioyes were thrown out Of employment,
During the same period there were 1OO5
lockoUts, involving nearly 1000 estab-
lshments. throwing over one million
and loCkouts involved an estimated loss
TO employees OF S207 .000. 90 and TO en-
ployers OF a43,00o,o00, total Of $50
0Go01o.
The public suffered directly and indf-
TeCJly probably as great additional loss.
But the money loss. great as il was, did
not measure the anguish and sufferine,
endured by the wives and children OF
employees whose pay stopped when
their work stopped or the disastrous
effect Of the strike or lockout upon ths
business OF employers, or the increase
IN the cost Of products and the incOn-
venience and loss to the public.