The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-02-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

,.
legislation badly in need of atteption
Truth to say the message was cheered at
the Capitol more by The Democrats than
it was by the Republicans. 1t was a
good, stirring message and it could be
taken in two ways according as the hear
er vas of Roosevelt or anti-Roosevelt
tendencies. Either way it was good
campaign document, and there was an
order for an immediate edition of IL, 900
printed.
The message was prompted first of all
by the action Of the Supreme Court re-
Gently in denying the legality of the En-
ployers Liability Act. 1t was to the need
of legislation on this subject that the
President called chief attention. He
urges the re-enactment of the law. limit.
ing its scope so as to bring it within the
limits of Constitution. In the same con
nection be urges the passage of compre-
hensive act providing for the compen
sation of employees in the govern
HSul SSiNlCC tHJulSu III luC IiuS Oi
duty. Action is also urged against the
abuse of injuuctions in labor cases "
Another section calls attention to the
necessity for legislation to give better
control over corporations engaged in in
terstate business. A certain measure Of
federal control over The physical oper
ations ofthe railroads is also urged The
suggestion is made that the use of the
mails, telegraph and telephone service
might also be denied to gamblers in
stocks and futures, but the President
admits that this is hard matter to handle
and will require careful regulation il
regulation at all is possible. Finally he
urges the fullest power for the Depart
ment of Justice in dealing with large
corporations
The President in dealing with the EN-
ployers Liability Act points out that the
Supreme Court admitted the constitutions.
atty of the law SO far as it dealt with
persons engaged in interstate business,
and rejected it only on account of its
application to intra state concerns He
says I urge the immediate re-enactment
of the law, limiting its scope to the class
of business to which it can legally apply.
but Strengthening its provisions with the
scope With this clear definition of re
>ponsibility, the several states will dou t.
less give to the subject within their .ris-
diction the consideration that its i'm
portance justifies.
As to the responsibility of the govern
ment, the message says II also urgently
advise that comprehensive act be passed
providing for the compensation by the
government of all employees injured in
the government service. Under the
present law work man injured in the
and the entire burden of the acciden, falls
on the helpless man, his wife aud bis
young children This is an outrage II
is matteEof humiliation to this nation
that there should not be on the statute
books provision TO meet and partially
atone for cruel misfortune when il comes
to man through no fault of his own
while faithfully serving the public In no
other prominen, commercial country OF
the world could such gross injustice occur
for almost all civilized nations have enact
ed legislation embodying complete recog-
milton of the principle that places the
entire trade risk for industrial accidents
on the industry as represented by the em-.
ployer, which in this case is the govern
ment." In pointing ont why this is a
fair arrangement, the President says that
If the wage system were ideal, then the
wages would be apportioned to cover these
trade risks, aud if all men were wise they
would insure themselves with part Of their
wages against these risks. But, neither
of these ideal conditions exist and in their
absence, the only thing to do is to make
the employer responsible for. the risks
necessarily run by the employees.
Naturally the President refers to some
of the attacks that have been made on the
aaA TUG CnotkCS kudl u -
responsible for The present business de-
preston. but he says that not only is the
charge groundless but that there is no
reason TOT any misgiving as 10 the future.
He says 1--WE have just passed through
two months of acute financial stress. At
such time it Is sad fact that great
many innocent people suffer through no
fault of their own, and every one must
feel the most acute sympathy for them.
At such a time there is a natural tendency
on the partof many men to feel gloomy.
But there is no justification for their feel
ing. There is no nation SO absolutely
sure Of ultimate success AZ ours. or