Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-09
PROTECTION OF LABOR

The above is the merest sketch, hardly even
a sketch in outline, of the reforms for which
we should work. But there is one matter
with which congress should deal at this ses-
sion. There should no longer be any paltering
with the question of taking care OF the WAGE
workers who, under our present industrial
system, become killed, crippled or worn out
as part of the regular incidents of given
business. The majority of wageworkers must
have their rights secured for them by state
action; but the national government should
Iegislate in thoroughgoing and far-reaching
fashion not only for all employees OF the
national government. but for all persons en-
gagged in Interstate commerce, The object
sought for could be achieved TO measurable
degree as far as those killed or crippled are
concerned, by proper employers nablnty laws
AS far as concsrns those who have been worn
out | call your attention to the fact that
definite steps toward providing old-age PEN
sions have been taken in many OF our private
industries. These may be indefinitely extend
ed through voluntary association and con-
tributory schemes, or through the agency OF
savings banks as under the recent Massa-
chusetts plan. To strengthen these practical
measures should be our immediate duty; it is
not at present necessary TO consider the larger
and more general governmental schemes that
most European governments nave touhu tneln-
selves Obliged to adopt.
our present system, or rather no system,
works dreadful wrong, and is OF benefit to
only one class of people-the lawyer. When
a workman is injured what he neds is not
an expensive and doubtful lawsuit, but the
certainty of relief through immediate admin
istrative action. The number Of accidents
which result in the death or Gripping OF
Wageworlkers in the Union at large, is SIM
ply appaIling; in a very few years 1t runs
M a total far in excess of the aggregate OF
the dead and wounded in any modern war.
No academic theory about freedom OF con-
traat,' or constitutional liberty TO contract
should be permitted to interfere with THIS
and similar movements. Progress in ciViliza-
tion has everywhere meant Limitation and
regulation Of contract. 1 call your especial
attention to the bulletin Of the bureau OF Ia
Dor which gives a statement OF the methous
of treating the unemployed in european couh-
tries, as this is a subject which IN Germany,
for instance is treated In connection with
making provisions for WORKOUT and crippled
Pending a thoroughgoing investigation and
action there is certain legislation wnlch should
be enacted at once The law, passed at the
last session OF the congress- grantns com
pensation to certain classes OF employees or
the government. should be made more liberal
in It's terms There is no good ground TOT the
distinction made in the law between those en-
gagged In hazardous occupations ana those not
So engaged If a man is injured or killed IN
~, Inc ~ work il was hazardous in his
case. Whether / per cent or 10 per cent or
those following a given occupation actually
suffer injury or death ought not TO nave any
bea ring on the question of their receiving COM
pensation. 1t Is a grim logic whlch says
to an injured employe or to the dependents OF
one killed that he or they are entitled TO no
counpensation because very few people other
than he have been injured or killed In tnht
occupation. Perhaps one Of the most striklhs
omissions in the law Is that 1t does not en-
bracs peace officers and others whose lives
NAV be sacrificed in enforcing the laws OF
the United tSates. The terms OF the act
providing compensation is not adequate for
wage-earner's family in the event OF MS