The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-23
President Will Make Radical
Recommendations to Congress
In His Next Annual Message to
That Body.
TIE EIGHT HOUR LAW
To Apply to All Government
Work Except the Canal.
Would Restrict Hours Of " Ork
Of Railroad Employees.

washington. Oct. 23.-No message
President Roosevelt has written IS OF
greater importance to the industrial IN
terests of the country, to the capitalist
and to the man, than that he has pre-
1iminarily completed, which ne VIII
transmit to congress in December.
The message points the way not only
to national control and supervision OF
corporate wealth and swollen indlVld-
ual fortunes but to redresslng grleN-
ances of labor
In the message the president will rec
ornmend.
The amendment of the eight hour law
so as to make it applicable to govern
ment work. whether done by govern
ment agents direct or by contract. The
proposed law win not be extended TO
the Panama canal
The passage Of law restricting the
hours of labor of railroad employees
The passage of a law authorizing
thorough investigation of the child and
woman labor problem preliminary to
adequate restrictive legislation.
The passage without delay Of an act
restrictive of immigration.
The passage of a law requiring that
in cases arising out Of applications Tor
Writs of injunction in labor disputes,
due notice be given adverse parties be
fore granting the writ, the hearing to
be ex parte if the adverse party fails to
appear at the place and time decreed
Continued enforcement of existing
laws against the ADMISSION OIL AuALEGG
skilled and unsfdlled labor, but courte-
Gus entrance granted to excepted class
es.
President Not Swayed by Politics.
If the above forecast of the presi-
dents recommendations be compared
was presented 30 him last spring it will
he seen the chief executive has decided
10 go far in order to bring content to
the worlkingman.
The president has not been moved
by the showing labor has made in
politics. AS a matter of fact, he ap-
preciates the conditions which force it
To action, and believes its cause will do
ultimate good But his study of the
grievances which labor suffers, his dis
coyery Of violations of the eight hour
law, and his appreciation of the need
of legislation to remove evils which
lead to class conflicts all have shown
him the need of vigorous discussion,
and suggestion to congress OF compre-
hensive remedies.
At the same time President Roose-
Welt fully appreciates the rights OF cap
itsl, and intends they shall have the
same protection and furtherance as
have those of labor And in addition
he wants to see esta blished and main
tanned a bond Of healthy sympathy and
mutual assistance which will insure
common prosperity
Radical proposals of either class
U00 appear 10 Illtl- Inc UIIraEOn-
servative proposals OF either class have
no attraction for him. What he as
pires to do is to pursue the middle
course, which shall insure the support
of the moderates and enable the enact
ment OF legislation that Will apply ade-
ouate remedies to all modern economic
abuses.
Bound to Curb Great Wealth.
President Roosevelt feels that the
policy he has pursued in the matter of
the enforcement of the antitrust and
Ffxins antirebate laws and in secur-
ing railroad rate legislation. demon
strates the purity of his purpose TO
correct what generally may be termed
corporate abuses He intends to Dur-
sue further this policy by insisting on
Hesitation on TO supervise and control
corporations and prevent swollen
fortunes by means of an inheritance
and eventually an income tax.
In its bill Of grievances labor de-
cIared the antitrust and Interstate
commerce laws enacted to protect the
people against monopoly in the nro-
dust of labor, had been perverted. The
presidents friends feel that no more
can be asked or expected of him in
this respect than he has done and pro-
poses to do.
Railroad Fights New Law.
On recommendation of the nras,-
dent, congress at its last session passed
q law making common carriers en-
gagged in interstate commerce liable for
damages which might result from the
negligence of any of its officers. agents
or employees. or by reason Of any de-
feet or insuf5eiency due to negligence
IN cars, engines, appliances. maehin-
cry. track. rOadbed, ways. or works
Contributory negligence OF any en-
ploye was not bar to recovery. but
could be- considered by the jury In
mitigation OF damages.
The railroads determined to attack