The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-02-01


sIyainst injuries which are sure to
occur. It requires MIN either to
bear or to distribute through in
surance the loss which can readily
be borne when distributed, but which
II undisturbed, bears with frightful
hardship upon the unfortunate vic
tim OF accident In theory, II wages
were always freely and fairly ad-
justed, they would always include
an allowance as against the risk OF
injury, just as certainly as the rate
of interest for money includes an
allowance ilr insurance against
the risk of loss. In theory, II en-
ployees were all experienced busi-
ness men, they would employ that
part of their wages which is re-
ceived because OF the risk of in
Jury to secure accident insurance.
But as matter of fact, 1t is not
practical to expect that this will be
done by the great body of employees
An employers liability law makes
II certain that it will be done; in
effect, by the employer, and 1t will
ultimately impose no real addition
al burden upon him.
There is a special bill to which
call your attention. Secretary Taft
has urgently recommended the i'm
mediate passage of a law providing
Tor compensation to. employees of the
Government injured in the work Of
the Isthmian Canal, and that $780,
900 be appropriated for this pur-
pose each year. earnestly hope this
will be done; and that q special
bill be passed covering the case of
Yardmaster Banton, who was injur
ed nearly two years ago while do.
ing his duty. He is now helpless
to support his wife and his three
little boys.
II again call your attention to
the need of some action In connec-
ton with the abuse Of .injunctions,
lin labor cases. AS regards the
rights and wrongs of labor and
capital, from blacklisting to boycott
ting, the whole subject is covered
in admirable fashion by the report
Of the Anthracite Coal Strike Com
mission, which report should
serve as chart for the guidance
of both-- legislative and executive
officers. AS regards injunctions,
can do little but repeat what have
said in my last messalge to the Con-
gress. Even though 1t were possible
should consider 1t most unwise to
I l.Ix Ital. 80 N1r ~
injunction. 1t is necessary in order
that the courts may maintain their
own dignity and In order that they
may in effective manner check dis
order and violence. The judge who
uses 1t cautiously and conservative
4 ly, but who. when the need arises,
uses 1t fearlessly, confers the great
est service upon our people, and his
preeminent usefulness as public
servant should be heartily recoIg'
nized. But there Is no question in
my mind that 1t has sometimes been
used heedlessly and unjustly, and
that some Of the injunctions issued
inflict grave and occasionally ire
parable wrong upon those enjoined.
1T is all wrong to use the In
junction to prevent the entirely
proper and legitimate actions Of
labor organizations in their strug-
gle for Industrial betterment, OF
under the guise of protecting prop
erty rights unwarrantably to invade
the fundamental rights of the indi'
vidual. 1t is futile to concede, as we
all do, the right and the necessity
of organized effort on the part OF
wage earners and yet by injunctive
process to forbid peaceable actor
to accomplish the lawful objects fol
which they are organized and upoi
which their success depends. The
; fact that the punishment for the vio
lation of an Injunction must, Il
} make the order effective, necessar
: lily be summary and without thu
Intervention of jury makes its is
: ,suance In doubtful cases danger
GUS practice. and In itself furnishes
a reason why the process should b
surrounded with safeguards to pro
tect individuals against being en-
Joined from exercising their prope
> rights. Reasonable notice should b
: given the adverse party
: "This matter is daily becomin
: OF graver Importance and can no
:. too urgently recommend that tn
: Corlgress give careful considerable
a to the subject. II some way Q
Q remedying the abuses is not foun
\ the feeling of indignation again
j them among large numbers OF ou
: citizens will tend to grow so e'
treme as to produce revolt agains
b the whole use of the process of II
I junction. The ultra-conservatiy
/ who object to cutting out the abu
Q es will do well to remember thi
d IT the popular feeling does becon
Q strong many of those upon who
y they rely to defend them will
% the first to turn against them. Nc
y OF property can not afford to tru