Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-12-06
Org ~ those which
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young chIIdrea in factories or at work
anywhere are a blot on our civilixal
ultimately settle the question in its
own way: but thorO Official investi-
sauon of the after. with the results
published broadcast would greatly
help toward arouslng the public con-
science and securing unity OF staAe
seton in the matter, There is how
should be enacted immediately. be-
cause there is no need for an invests
cation In reference thereto. and the
failure TO enact IL is discreditabIe TO
the national government A drastic
and thorogoing child-labOr law should
be enacted for the District OF Colun-
Ola ana the territories.
Employers Liability.
Among the excellent laws which the
congress past at the last session was
a employers liability law. IL was .
marked step in advance to get the rec
ognition Of employers liability on the
statute books; but the law did not 80
far enough. In spite Of all preeau-
lions exercised by employers there are
una voidable accidents and even deaths
involved In nearly every line of bust
ness connected with the mechanic arts.
TINS inevitable sacrifice of life may be
reduced to a minimum, but II cannot
be completely eliminated. 1t is n great
social Injustice TO compel the employees.
OF rather the family OF the killed or
disabled victim. to bear the entire bur-
den OF an inevitable sacrifice. In other
words. society shirks is duty by laying
the whole cost on the victim. whereas
the injury comes from what may be
called the legitimate risks OF trade
Compensation for accidents or deaths
due in any line OF Industry to the actuas
conditions under which that industry IL
carried on. should be paid by that por-
tion OF the community for the beneht
Of which the industry is carried on
that is, by those who profit by the in
dustry. If the entire trade risk 10
promptly and properly add IL to the
legitimate cost OF production and as
sess II proportionately upon the con-
sumers of his commodity. IL is there
fore clear to my mind that the law
should place this, entire risk of .
trade upon the employer Neither the
federal law. nor. as far as | am in
formed, the state laws dealing with
the question OF employers liability are
law should Of Course include en-
ployees in navy-yards. arsenals ana
the like.
Investigation of Disputes.
The commission appointed by the presi-
dent October IS, 1909. at the request %
both the anthracite coal operators ana
miners to inquire into, consider. and pass
upon the question in controversy In con-
nection with the strike in the anthracits
regions of Pennsylvania and the causes
out of which the controversy arose. is
the BELIEF that the state and federa
governments should provide the ma
pusery i1vestisstion Of Pe contre S as b.
tween employers and employees whom
they arise" This expression of BELIEF
is deserving OF the favorable considers
ton of the congress and the enactmsnt
OF its provisions into law. bill has
already been introduced to this end.
Records show that during the -
years from January !. 1881. to December
81. 1900, there were strikes affecting ll1s-
ss establishments. and sloS.sst Employ
Ing the same period there were rl.oS
lockouts. involving nearly 1000 estsb-
out OF employment. These strikes and
lockouts involved an estimated loss -
employees of 1901 10000 and to employers
public suffered directly and indirectly
probably as great additional loss. Bus
the money loss. great as Il was. did nst
measure the anguish and suffering en-
dured by the wives and children OF em-
ployees whose pay stopt when thex
the strike or lockout upon the business
of employers. o. the Increase In the coss
OF products and the inconvenience ans
Many OF these strikes and lockouts
would not have occurred had the parties
to the dispute been required 20 appear
before an unprecedented body representing
the nation and, face 20 face, state the
reasons for their contention. In most
instances the dispute would doubtless DO
found to be due to a misunderstanding
by each OF the others rights, Aggravated
by an gnwillingness OF either party To ac-
cept as true the statements OF the other
as 10 the justice or injustice Of the mat
ters In dispute. The exercise of "a Ju-
dicial spirit by disinterested body
representing the federal government.
such would be- provided by a commits
sion on Cancellation and arbitration
would tend to create an atmosphere Of
friendlness and Cancellation between con-
tending parties; and the giving each side
an equal opportunity to present fully its
case in the presence OF the other would
prevent many disputes from developing
into serious strikes or lockouts. and in
other cases, would enable the commits
sion to persuade the opposing parties to
To terms.
In this age Of great corporate and la
Dor combinations, neither employers nor
employees should be left completely at
the mercy of the stronger party to a dis
pute, regardless OF the Righteousness %
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 cannot wisely be disregarded: an
fence. for the question OF just ana
proper public policy must also be con.
/ II is well to advance cautiously. testing
each step by the actual results the step
proposed can surely be safely taken, for
the decisions of the commission wouI1
not bind the parties In legal fashion. ana
yet would give chance for public opin-
lon To exert its full force for the right.
Withdrawal OF Coal La.ds.
II is not wise that the nation SHOULD
ALLEVIATE its remaining coal lands.
| have temporarily withdrawn from settle
ment all the lands which the geological
/ all probability containing. coal The
| question, however, can be properly set
| tied only by legislation. which in my
| judgment should provide for the with
/ drawal OF these lands from sale or from
entry. save in certain especial circum-
stances. The ownership would then
remain in the United States. which
should not. however. attempt To work
them, but permit them to be worked by
/ private individuals under royalty sys-
| tenn. the government keeping such
/ control to permit Il TO that no
/ excessive price was charged consumers.
I Ii would OF course he as necessary 10
/ supervise the rates charged by the conn
| mon carriers to transport the product as
/ the rates charged by those who mine il:
I and the supervision must extend TO the
/ conduct of the common carriers, so that
they shall In no way FAVOR one compete
tor at the expense OF another. TIE With
drawal Of these coal lands would consti-
/ tute a policy analogous 10 That which has
been followed in Withdrawing the ipf~ est
lands from ordinary settlement. Ths
| coal. like the forests, should be treated
as the property OF the public ana its dis
Z posal should be under conditions which
/ would inure 10 the benefit of the public
q IL