Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-21
Head of Department of Com.
merce and Labor Makes
Some Calls.
He CANNOT BE A PESSlMlST,
He Says in the Face OF the Pros
porous Conditions of
The West.
Most Serious Handicap He Has En-
countered On His Trip is the Uni
versal Shortage of Labor.

Fer The third time within the sum
mer salt Lake is entertaining one OF
the men whom Roosevelt has chosen
TO ne MS nearest personal afiliates III
carrying out his administrative views
on the conduct OF government business.
The man who follows Secy. Garfield,
young man who was unknown until
the president took an interest in him
rev years ago. and Gen. Bell. who
WAS only a captain when the Philip-
iine campaign started MIN on his road
10 iame. is Oscar S. Straus, head of
the department OF commerce and labor
sccy. Straus is not a young man. but
one seasoned by many years that ara
beginning to bring touch OF grey to
his hair. He went to call on Gov. che.
Ter this morning and was accompaniea
by Col. T. q. Webber, who said in an
interview that the u. c.. NJ /. had DONE
business with MIR. Stratus for many
years. and with his father before him.
whlle ne was receiving his early bus
mess training. Col. Webber added.
n L,. mat on receiving his cabinet
place Mr' Straus had resigned from all
private business connections and given
his entire time TO the government.
PURPOSE or VISIT.
The real purpose of the visits to the
west by cabinet members is explained
by Mr.. Straus, who gives the typically
RooseYeltian explanation that any adj
ministrative officer can better adninis-
ter his office when he knows great
deal about II. from practical observa-
ton.
Il am out here in the west on a trip
OF Inspection says Mr.. Straus "and
| am now on my way back to the east,
after visiting coast points and Homo
lulu. AT this latter place | Investigate
ed the merits of Pearl harbor as place
to accommodate war vessels and mer-
chant vessels, as well as the light house
facilities of the coast and the islands"
Mrs. Straus is not well today. and
Mr. StrBus is therefore eliminating
many social affairs. and remaining
mostly at his room In the Knutsford
With his son. and his private secretary.
who are the other members of the par
ty he intends 10 go through the yell
lowstone on his way east. and they win
leave for that point tomorrow eve
ming. This afternoon Gov. Cutler VIII
be host for Mr.. Straus for short drive
over the city, beginning at 4 o'clock
PAY THEIR RESPECTS.
Jacob Moritz and number OF mem
bers of the Congregation B'nai Birth.
called this morning at the Knutsford
and paid their respects TO Mr.. Straus.
inviting him with Mrs. Straus to an
automobile ride this afternoon.
Secretary Garfield reached Salt Lake
during a rainstorm that lasted week
He said he had come west to see the
needs of the arid section, and had de-
cided II needed most a good sized boat.
Secretary Straus has looked over the
country, sized up It's needs. and de-
al that the GREATEST ig Ia
Dor.
PROSPERITY OF WEST.
You can't talk pessimistically," no
said this morning, while conditions
are so prosperous as I have found them
everywhere j have gone. The busi-
ness of the west seems to be in ex-
cellent condition-but you need NOR,
labor. A shortage of the labor market
Is your most serious handicap"
When asked If he knew of any pos
sihle remedy for this condition he said
that the new immigration law ought to
help some, as under II is established
a department OF Information with Ter
ence Powderly al its head Powderly
was formerly the head Of the knights
OF Labor. and Mr.. Strauss styles him
peculiarly efficient and broad minded
man. Under his direction Mr.. Strauss
expects the department Of Information
to develop until 1t is able TO inform
immigrants where they can go TO secure
the best returns for their labor, by fili-
ing the market wherever It is under
supplied at is really" he said, "a bu-
reau of distribution az well as Of infor-
nation"
IMSiIGPATIoN LAWS.
Asked IL he regarded the situation as
grave enough TO cnll for n revision
of the immigration laws. he said that
he Thought they We're all right just AZ
they stood. and would give satisfactory
results under proper administration
They went into effect July I, mud he
department is Just being organized to
eully carry ont their intent.
COMMITTEE ON LABOR,
Speaking Of the Nobel Peace prize.
which President Roosevelt received
from Norway, Mr. Straus says that the
presidents hope for internal peace Is
>ased on settled conviction that the
greatest guarantee Of pence abroad Is
industrial prosperity and peace ut
nome and that on his return he will
take up the matter Of organizing an ex-
ectuive committee on labor problems.
TO handle matters connected with In
duEtrial conditions In America, follow
ing out the presidents gift OF this
prize as n fund to secure peace within
the nation.
Secy Straus and party will rest here
until tomorrow evening In order 10 al
| low Mrs. Straus TO recuperate. Mr..
| Straus says that all she needs Is rest.