The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-04

all others. and these two questions most
emphatically come I'm tho category of
those which affect I'm the most far-reach-
ing way the home life OF the nation. The
horrors incident to the employment OF
young children In factories or at work
anywhere are a blot on our civilization.
IL is true that each state must ultimate
ly settle the question in is own way: but
a thoro official investigation of the mat
ter. with the results published 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 subject which
should be enacted Immediately, because
there is no need for an investigation in
reference thereto and the failure to en-
act IL is discreditable TO the national gov
ernment. A drastic and thorogoing child
labor law should be enacted for the Dis
trict OF Columbia and the territories.
Employers Liability.
Among the excellent laws which the
congress past at the last session was an
employers liability law. II was marked
step in advance TO get the recognition OF
employers liability on the statute books;
but the law did not go far enough. In
spite OF all precautions exercised by en-
ployers there are unavoidable accidents
and even deaths involved In nearly every
line OF business connected with the me-
chanic arts. This inevitable sacrifice OF
life may be reduced to a minimum, but
IL can not be completely eliminated. II is
a great social injustice TO compel the en-
ploye, or rather the family OF the killed
or disabled victim, TO bear the entire
burden OF such an inevitable sacrifice. In
other words. society shlrks it's duty by
laying the whole cost on the victim
whereas tho injury comes from what
may be called the legitimate risks Of the
Asafa e. ftsat, ,.t.l
deaths due in any line OF industry to the
actual conditions Under which that in
dustry is carried on, should be paid by
that portion OF the community for the
benefit OF which tho industry is carried
on--that Is, by those who profit by the
industry. II the entire trade risk is
placed upon the employer he will prompt
ly and properly add II to the legitimate
cost OF production and assess II propor-
tionately upon the consumers OF his COM
modify. II is therefore clear 10 my mind
that the law should place this entire
risk of A trade" upon the employer
Neither the Federal law. nor. as far as I
am Informed, the state laws dealing with
the question OF employers liability are
suffiienty thorogoing. The Federal law
should OF course include employees In
navy yards. arsenals, and the like.
Disputes Between Capital and Labor.
The commission appointed by the pres
ident October is, 1902, at the request of
both the anthracite coal operators and
miners, to inquire into, consider and
pass upon the questions I'm controversy In
connection with the strike in the anthra-
cite regions OF Pennsylvania and the
causes out or which the controversy
arose, in their report. findings, and award
exprest the belief that the state and
Tt1rF notSJ oh,
machinery for what may be called the
compulsory investigation OF controver-
sizes between employers and employes
when they arise" This expression OF be-
.llef is deserving OF the favorable consid-
Grafton OF the congress and the enact
ment or It's provisions into law. A bill
has already been introduced to this end
records show that during the twenty
years from January ], 1881, to December
81, 1900, there were strikes affecting H.
p5 establishments and 6l05, ,694 EMPLOYEES
were thrown out of employment During
the same period there were 1905 lockouts,
involving nearly 1000 establishments
throwing over one million people out OF
employment. These strikes and lockouts
involved an estimated loss to employees
or $07'W.0oo and TO employers of s14S, 900
w" total of A50,oo0,0oo. The public suf-
fered directly and Indirectly probably as
great additional loss. But the money loss
great as 1t was. did not measure the an
gllish and suffering endured by the wives
VI employees whose pay stopt when their
work stopt. or the disastrous effect OF the
strike or lockout upon the business of
employers, or the Increase in the cost Of
products and the Inconvenience and loss
to the public
Many OF these strikes and lockouts
Would not have occurred had the parties
10 inc dispute been required TO appear be-
lore an unprejudiced body representing
INC nation and face to face, state the
reasons for their contention.
In most instances the disputo would
doubtless be found TO be due TO a mis-
understanding by each of the Others
rights aggravated by an unwillingness of
either party TO accept as true the state
nentS OF the other as to the Justice or in
justice OF the matters in dispute The ex-
etclse or judicial spirit by "A disinter-
ested body representing the Federal gov
eihlnent. such as would be provided by a
commission on conciliatlon and arbitra
uoll would tend TO create an atmosphere
OF triendlness and conciliation between
cOntending parties: and the giving each
SIDE an equal opportunity to present fully
Its case In the presence of the other
wCulo prevent many disputes from devel-
oping into serious strikes or lockouts
ana, IN other cases. would enable the COM
mission TO persuade the opposing parties
to cCmc to terms
ln this age OF great corporate and la
nor combinations, neither employers nor
employees should be left completely az
the mercy OF the stronger party TO a dis
pute. regardless Of the Righteousness of
their respective claims The proposed
measure would be in the line OF securing
recognition OF the fact that In many
strikes the public has itself an interest
which can not wisely be dlsregarded; an
Interest not merely OF general conven-
fence, for the question Of lust and
proper public policy must also be consid-
cred. in all legislation OF this kind IL Is
well 20 advance cautiously. testing each
step by the actual results; tho step pro-
posed can surely be safely taken, for the
decisions OF the commission would not
bind the parties in legal fashion. and yet
would give a chance for public opinion
20 crystalline and thus TO exert It's fun
force for the right
Withdrawal of Conl Lands.
~ IL not wise shat the Nation should
alion9te its remaining coal lands I have
temporarily withdrawn from settlement
all the lands which the geological survey
has indicated as containing or I'm all
probability containing. coal. The question.
4. -.