Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-09-24


Republican candidate for president,
III two addresses here last night
opened what his leaders declared
would be from now on an aggressive
campaign. Speaking before the rail-
way men Independent Taft club, Mr..
Taft paid his respects to union labor,
dealing particularly with decisions
In labor cases rendered by him while
judge. Arriving in Chicago from
Cincinnati after having stopped at
George AIDES farm at Brook, Ind, the
Republican candidate Immediately
went to the Auditorium Annex and
had short conference with Chair
man Hitchcock. Speaking to the
railway men, Mr.. Taft said:
I am glad to meet so many men,
bers of organized railroad labor. I
have accepted this opportunity to
address an audience Of members of
the brotherhoods in order that l
may take up question that has
been given great prominence in this
campaign and in which I must say
that every effort has been made un-
justly to arouse the prejudice of
organized labor against the Repub-
lican party and its candidates.
I'm the first place wish to at
firm, without fear of contradiction.
that the Republican party has done
vastly more than the Democratic
party, both in state and national
legislation for the protection and in
the interest Of labor. 1t passed in
Harrison's administration the eight.
hour law for government workmen
and gave an impetus to a reduction
OF hours in other employment The
safety appliances act by which tAe
railroads engaged in interstate com.
merce were required to make pro-
vision for the safety of their en-
ployes and thus reduce the shocking
loss Of life and limb Of railroad EN-.
ployes was passed in the same ad-
ministration. Amendments to this
act. making more detailed specifica-
tions for improvements in safety ap-
pliances, including especially the
fire pan, have been passed in the
present administration. An act for
the promotion Of arbitration between
the railroads and their employees In
interstate commerce is also one of
those acts Of benificence to both en-
ployer and employe. The last con-
q n1 In nVvy Vpyh {nh \
clared unconstitutional, and then ,n
it's second session reenacted the law
ito avoid the constitutional objec-
tions. BY this act railway employees
bring suit for damages against the
company cannot now be defeated on
the ground that the negligence
was that of fellow servant. If he
shown to be guilty himself of negli-
gence in slight degree, he does not
forfeit his right of action, but it is
left to the jury to apportion the
| damages and reduce them as equally
| be justified.
'In addition to this law limit,
| ing the hours of labor of interstate
| railway employees has been passed
A bill was also passed by the last
session of congress providing fol
compensation to government EN-
ployes for injuries received in the
government employe. 1t is an ad
equate law and will doubtless bt
improved by coming congresses. Ar
issue, however. has arisen as to the
attitude of the two parties. the sub
ject of injunctions in labor dis
putes."
Judge Taft gave a detailed history
Of the labor Injunction cases tina
came before him while he was on ths
bench, justifying his decisions. HI
continued: Mr.. Bryan says I am the
father of injunctions In industria
cases. This Is not true. The use o
Injunction was in accordance will