The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1907-12-12

tne protective system and any enost to
uproot IL could not but cause widespread in
dustrial disaster. In other words, the prin-
ciple OF the present tariff law could not with
wisdom be changed. But in a country of
such phenomenal growth as ours 1t is prob
ably well that every dozen years or the
tarin laws should be careflly scrutinized so
as to see that excessive or improper
benefits are conferred thereby, that proper
revenue is provided and that our foreign
trade is encouraged. There must always be
as minimum tarif which will not only
allow for the collection of ample revenue
but which will at least make good the diff
ference in cost of production here and
abroad: that is, the difference in the labor
cost here and abroad. for the wel!-being
OF the wage-worker must ever be cardinal
point cf American policy. The question
should be approached purely from q busi-
ness standpoint; both the time and the
manner of the change being such as to
arouse the minimum OF agitation and dis
turbance in the business world. and to give
the least play for selfish and fac
tional motives. The sole consideration
should be to that the total
of changes represents the public good
This means that the subject cannot with
wisdom be dealt with in the year preceding
Presidential election. because as matter
| OF fact experience has conclusively shown
that at such time 1t is impossible to get
men to treat 1t from the standpoint of the
public good. In my judgment the wise time
to deal with the matter Is Immediately after
| such election.
INCOME AND INHERITANCE TAX.
| When our tax laws are revised the question
| Of an income tax and an Inheritance tax
| should receive the careful attention OF our
legislators. In my Judgment both OF these
| taxes should be part of our system OF Fed
| eral taxation. l speak diffidently about the
income tax because one scheme for an In
come tax was declared unconstitutional By
| the Supreme Court; while in addition 1t IL
| difficult tax to administer in Its practica
| working, and great care would have to bt
| exercised to see that II was not evaded BY
| the very men whom II was most desirable L
| have taxed, for IL so evaded II would. o.
| course, be worse than no tax at all; as thu
least desirable of all taxes is the tax whicl
bears heavily upon the honest as com
pared with the dishonest man. Neverthe
less. a graduated income tax OF the prope
type would be a desirable feature Of Fedora
taxation, and 1t is to be hoped that one ma,
| be devised which the Supreme Court will
declare constitutional. The inheritance tax
however, is both far better method OF tax
alton and far more important for the pur
pose of having the fortunes OF the countr
bear in proportion to their increase in siz
a corresponding increase and burden OF tax
alton. The Government has the absolut
right to decide as to the terms upon whic
a man shall receive a bequest or devise fror
another, and this point in the devolution
property is especially appropriate for tn
imposition of tax. Laws imposing sue
taxes have repeatedly been placed upon tn
National statute books and as repeated
}. declared constitutional by the courts; an
9 these laws contained the progressive prime
y pie, that is; after certain amount
i reached the bequest or gift. in life or deat
8 Is increasingly burdened and the rate
" taxation is increased in proportion to Il
!. remoteness of blood Of the receivir
q the bequest.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
l. A few years ago there was loud cor
" plant that the law could not be invok
" against wealthy offenders. There Is no SUI
l. complaint now. The course of the d
,r partment of Justice during the last Il
re years has been such as to make II evide
al that no man stands above the law, that
IN corporation is wealthy that 1t cam
ot be held to account. The Department
Df Justice has been as prompt to proce
l. against the wealthiest malefactor who
in crime was one of greed and cunning as
NJ proceed against the agtator who inci
n to brutal violence. Everything that can
A. done under the existing law. and with
h | existing state of public opinion, which
at profoundly influences both the courts a
ne juries, has been done. But the laws the
at | selves need strengthening in more than
III important point: they should be made mi
IS definite, 50 that no honest man can
ds led unwittingly to break them. and so Il
he the real wrongdoer can be readily punish
al INJUNCTIONs.
), Instances of abuse In the granting of
~ functions in labor disputes continue to
r. cur, and the resentment in the minds
"a those who feel that their rights be
m invaded and their liberty of action and
In speech unwarrantably restrained contin
hy | likewise to grow. Much of the attack
NJ the use of the process of injunction Is whit
r. without warrant: but / am constrained
M | express the belief that for some OF Ii tn
al | Is warrant. This question Is becom
more and more one of prime importaI
and unless the courts will themselves
with 1t in effective manner. 1t Is cert
-e- | ultimately to demand some form OF lei
ite lative action. 1t would be most unfort
In ate for our social welfare II she
he permit many honest and law-abiding {
20 zens to feel that they had Just cause
AIS regarding our courts with hostiity.
lily earnestly commend to the attention OF
ers Congress this matter. so that some
W: may be devised which will limit the at
no of injunctions and protect those rights WI
ate from time to time 1t unwarrantably inva
CT Moreover, discomfort is often expressed v
ch the use Of the process OF injunction by
Ve' courts, not only in labor disputes, but WI
oe- state laws are concerned. L refrain 4
nus discussion of this question as 1 am inforl
that 1t will soon receive the considera
of the Supreme Court.
0 QUESTIONS AFFECTING LABOR.
The National Government should b.
on, model employer. 1t should demand
nal highest quality of service from each of
In employees and 1t should care for all
ent them properly in return. Congress sh
ere adopt legislation providing limited but
ap- mite compensation for accidents to all w
ars men within the scope Of the Federal po
H,e nne including employees of nayy-yards,
arSenalS. In Otner WOTuS, a ilouei
ets &C ployers liability act. far-reaching
as should apply to all positions. public
ess private, over which the National Gov
ere ment has jurisdiction. The number of q
,ali dents to wage workers including those
inu are preventable and those that are not.
the become appalling in the mechanical. ms
the featuring. and transportation operations
Ion the day. 1t works grim hardship to,
os- ordinary wage-worker and his family to
ION the effect of such an accident fan &c
the upon him; and on the other hand. I
sdit are whole classes of attorneys who
ests only by melting men who may or may
'iye have been wronged to undertake suits
acl negligence.
nat is generally an inadequate remedy for
ciai person injured, while 1t often causes
ee1 gether disproportlonate annoyance to
rall employer The law should be made
rest that the payment for accidents by the
'rce ployer would be automatic instead OF
a matter for lawsuits. Workmen sh
ows receive certain and definite compensa
for, negligence. The employer is the agen
,se ,sea the public and on his own responsih
s, .aom and for his own profit he serves the pu
a., When he starts in motion agencies W
ruie create risks for others. he should take
nair the ordinary and extraordinary risks
,ent yolyed; and the risk he thus at the moi
the assumes will ultimately be assumed
Ions IL ought to be, by the general public.
do In this way can the shock Of the acci
lans be diffused instead OF falling upon the
om- or woman least able to bear II, as Is nov
lich case. Tho community at large should $
inly ~ h,rdons az we'll as the benefits OF
dustry BY the proposed law, emplc
as would gain a desirable certainty OF