The Washington herald., 1908-03-26

when committed in any other connection
But strikes themselves are. and should
be, recognized 10 be entirely legal.
WOrkingmen's Protection.
Combinations Of workingmen have a
peculiar reason for their existence. The
very wealthy individual employer. and
still more the very wealthy corporation.
stand at an enormous advantage when
compared 10 the individual worklngman:
and while there are many cases where
II may not be necessary for laborers 10
form union. in many other cases II is
Indispensable for otherwise the thousands
of small units. the thousands OF indi-
Nlual Workingmen. viii be left helpless in
their dealings with the one big unit the
Dig individual or corporate employer.
twenty-five years ago. by the act OF
June y, 1886, trade unions were recog-
nlzed by law, and the right Of laboring
people 10 combine for all lawful pur-
poses was formerly recognized, this right
including combination for mutual pro
lection and benefits. the regulation OF
wages. hours and conditions Of labor and
the protection OF the individual rights Of
the Workmen in the prosecution OF their
trade or trades: and in the act of June
J. 1SSS. strikes We're recognized as legal
In tEe same provision that forbade par
uclpauon IN or instiga ton OF force or vio-
lence against persons or urOpertv or the
-
by violence. threat or intimidation The
business man must be protected In person
and property. and so must the farmer
and the wageworker. and as regards all
allke, the right OF peaceful combination
Tor all lawful purposes should be ex-
plicitly recognized
The right OF employers 20 combine and
contract with one another and with their
employees should be explicitly recognized: [:
and so should tho right Of the EMPLOYEES
10 combine and n rr-frf
other and with the employers. and 10
seek peaseaDly 10 persuade others 10 ac-
cept their views, and 10 strike for the
purpose OF peaceably obtaining from en-
plOyers satisfactory terms Tor their labor.
Nothing should be done 10 legalze either
q blacklist or a boycott that would be
Illegal al common law. this being the
type OF boycott defined and condemned by
the Anthracite Strike Commission.
Need for Legislation.
The question OF financial legislation is
now receiving such attention IN both
Houses that We have a right 10 expect
action before the close Of the session II
is urgently necessary that there should be
such action. Moreover. action should be
taken 70 establish postal savings banks.
These postal savings banks are impera-
lively needed for the benefit OF the wage
workers and men OF small means. and
will be valuable adjunct 10 our whole
financial system.
The time has come when We should pre-
pare for a revision Of the tariff This
should be, and indeed must be. preceded
by careful investigation. IL Is peculiarly
the province of the Congress and not OF
the President, and indeed peculiarly the
province Of the House Of Representatives
to originate a tariff bill and TO determine
upon it's terms; and this fully realize.
Yet II seems TO me that before the close
Of this session provision should be made
for collecting full materiaI which will
enable the Congress elected next fall to
act Immediately after II comes into eX-
stence. This would necessitate some ac-
ton by the Congress at its present Ses-
sion. perhaps In the shape of directing the
proper committee TO gather the necessary
both through the committee
tself and through government agents
who should report 10 the committee and
should lay before IL the facts which
would permit IL 20 act with prompt ana
intelligent fairness. These government
agents, II II is not deemed wise 70 appoint
from outside the public sefV-
ce. might with advantage be members
y the executive departments. designated
,y the President on his own motion OF
IN the request Of the committee. 10 act
With II.
l am OF the opinion. however. that one
,henge in the tariff could with advantage
De made forthwith. Our forests need
very protection. and one method OF pro-
Getting them would be 20 put upon the
rec list wood pulp, with a corresponding
eduction upon paper made from wood
)ulp. when they come from any country
hat does not put an export duty upon
hem.
Ample provision should be made for a
permanent Waterways Commission. with
whatever power is required 10 make ii
ffective. The reasonable expectation Of
he people will not be met unless the
congress provides at this session for the |
,eginning and prosecution Of the actual |
york Of waterway Improvement and con- |
rol The Congress should recognize in |
ullest fashion the fact that the subject 1
f the conservation Of our natural re-
ources. with which this commission |
eals. is literally vital for the future OF |
he nation.
Numerous bills granting water-power |
lights on navigable streams have been |
Introduced. None of them give the gov
rnment the right to make a reasonable |
harge for the valuable privileges so /
ranted. in spite OF the fact that these /
.ater-power privileges are equivalent 10 /
many thousands of acres Of the best coal /
ands for their production or power Nor 1
any definite time limit set. as should /
lWays be done in such cases. l shall be /
bliged hereafter. in accordance with the |
olicv stated in a recent message, to veto |
ny water-power bill which does not pro-
ide for a time-limit and for the right of
he President or Of the Secretary con-
erned to fix and collect such charge as
e may find to be just and reasonable in
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House. March g. 1908.