Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
REGULATION OF INDUSTRIES
MR.. HALE OPPOSES TENDENCY
TO GENERALIZATION.
Antagonizes Proposed Governmental
Investigation Of Methods En-
ployed in Mining.

Soon after converting yesterday the Sen
ate entered upon the consideration of the
legislative, executive and judicial bill.
When the committee amendment appro-
priating S19J, 600 for continuing the in
vestigation for the protection of lives of
miners in the territories and the district
of Alaska was called up Senator Knox
offered an additional amendment making
the provision apply to the entire country.
That" said Mr.. Teller lis an attempt
to authorize the investigation of mining
conditions in the states"
He declared that he would not consent
to have that provision apply to Colorado,
which. he said, has satisfactory mining
regulations.
DiSclaming that there was any inten-
ton on his part to interfere with the
states, Mr.. Knox said he believed the
states would welcome such investiga-
tions.
In European countries" he added,
where such Investigations are conducted
the loss of life in mining is trihing COM
pared with results in this country. In
some sections of Europe the loss of life
from such causes is but one-fourth of
that of the United States"
Mr. Teller retorted that no country in
Europe escapes mining disasters To as
great an extent as does Colorado. AS
the case now stands. he said if Il mine
owner does not object to such investiga-
tons they can be extended to his mines.
States Declared Derelict.
The fact that the states do not investi-
gate mining disasters as thoroughly as
can the federal government was urged by
Senator Simmons of North Carolina. He
had studied mining disasters very care
, fully and had observed that there was a
woeful lack of information concerning the
causes of such disasters.
Mr. Hale declared that this amendment
raised a very long old question. 1T is. >
he said. IAN attempt to regulate enter
prise industry. calamity and loss by the
federal government. / should have been
glad to find the senator from Pennsyl-
vania with US TO resist these repeated de-
mands to haves the general government
stretch out its strong hand to regulate
and control and investigate industry in
the states. Pennsylvania has a body OF
statutes on this subject"
Mr.. Knox insisted that the inveStiga-
tons by the general government would
merely allow mine owners to adopt human
measures to save life.
"All | ask" he said. rs to let us get all
information We can in order that means
may be taken to adopt intelligent methods
for preventing these disasters
Federal Encroachment.
The senator retorted Mr.. Hale, SIS
travelling the same old road, the gradual
encroachment by the federal government
under the guse of investigation.
There is not a single field occupied and
controlled by the federal government that
did not result from movement begun
by calling for an investigation. When
YOU declare that the general government
shall investigate these evils that action
only p-ecedes request for legislation to
control them"
The Amendment Adopted.
The amendment was defended by Mr..
HemenWay of Indiana, who said he had
not heard the senator from Maine object
to the agricultural bill as breaking down
the state lines by teaching the farmer how
to farm in various states of the Union.
Mr.. Hale retorted that he had protested
against divers encroachments by the fed
eral government by legislation on the ag-
ricultural bill.
Il have done it, he said until i have
recognized myself as a sort of nuisance
to people who want to do these things"
After further discussion by Senators
Beveridge. Clay, Owen and NewlandS the
amendment agreed