The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-04-03

lence, threat, or intimidation. The bus
situation. Some such measure as this
bill is needed in the interest of all en-
gagged in the industries which are es-
sential to the country's well-being. l
far it may result in the destruction
of the organizations necessary for the
transactions of modern business, as
we'll as of all labor organizations and
farmers organizations, completely
check the wise movement for securing
business cooperation among farmers,
and put back half a century the pro-
gresS of the movement for the better
ment of labor. A bill has been pre-
binations, has nevertheless in theory
been construed so as sweepingly to
prohibit every combination for the
transaction of modern business Some
real good has resulted from this law.
But the time has come when 1t is inn
| perative to modify it. Such modifica-
| ton is urgently needed for the sake of
| the business men of the country, for
| the sake of the wage-workers, and for
the sake of the farmers. The congress
can not afford to leave it on the statute
books in it's present shape.
1t has now become uncertain how far
this law may involve all labor organi-
cations and farmers organizations, as
well as all business organizations, in
conflict with the law; or, If we secure
literal compliance with the law, how
mess man must be protected in person
and property, and so must the farmer
and the wage-worker; and as regards
all alike, the right of peaceful COM
bination for all lawful purposes should
be explicitly recognized.
The right of employers to combine
and contract with one another and
with their employees should be explicit
ly recognized; and so should the right
of the employees to combine and to con-
tract with one another and with the
employers, and to seek peaceably to
persuade others to accept their views,
and to strike for the purpose of peace
ably obtaining from employers salts
factory terms for their labor. Nothing
should be done to legalize either
blacklist or a boycott that would be
illegal at common law; this being the
type of boycott defined and.condemned
by the Anthracite Strike commission.
The question of financial legislation
is now receiving such attention in
both houses that we have right
to expect action before the close of
the session. 1t is urgently necessary
that there should be such action. Nor
over, action should be taken to estab-
lish postal savings banks. These pos
tai savings banks are imperatively
needed for the benefit of the wage
workers and men of small means, and
will be valuable adjunct to our whole
financial system.
The time has come when we should
prepare for a revision of the tariff.
This should be, and indeed must be,
preceded by careful investigation. 1t
is peculiarly the province of the con-
gress and not of the president and in
deed peculiarly the province of the
house of representatives, to originate
a tariff bill and to determine upon its
terms; and this | fully realize. Yet
it seems to me that before the close
of this session provision should be
made for collecting full material which
will enable the congress elected next
fall to act Immediately after 1t comes
into existence. This would necessi-
tate some action by the congress at its
present session, perhaps in the shape
of directing the proper committee to
gather the necessary information, both
through the committee itself and
through government agents who should
report to the committee and should
lay before it the facts which would
permit it to act with prompt and in
telligent fairness. These government
agents, if it is not deemed wise to ap-
point individuals from outside the pub
lie service, might with advantage be
members of the executive departments
designated by the president. on his
own motion or on the request OF the
committee to act with it.
L am Oh Inc OplHIOli, hO"CNSA' SH@'
one change in the tariff could with adj
vantage be made forthwith. Our for
ests need every protection, and one
method of protecting them would be
to put upon the free list wood pulp,
with corresponding reduction upon
paper made from wood pulp, when
they come from any country that does
not put an export duty upon them.
Ample provision should be made for
permanent waterways commission,
with whatever power is required to
make it effective. The reasonable eX-
pectation of the people will not be
met unless the congress provides at
this session for the beginning and
prosecution of the actual work OF wa
terway improvement and control, The
congress should recognize in fullest
fashion the fact that the subject of the
conservation of our natural resources
with which this commission deals, Is
literally vital for the future OF the
nation.
Numerous bills granting water-pcwer