Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-04-02


message was sent to congress yester-
day by the president, who made
known many changes in law which he
demands.
Tariff Revision Ere Long.
THE time has come" he declares,
when We should prepare TO- re-
vision of the tariff. This should be,
and indeed must be, preceded by
careful investigation" 1t seems to
the president that before the
close of this session provision should
be made for collecting full material
which will enable the congress elected
next fall to act Immediately utter it
comes into existence. This would ne.
cessitate some action by the congress
at its present session, perhaps in the
shape OF directing the prope' COM
mittee to gather the necessary inform
ton, both through the committee it
self and through government agents
who should report to the committee
which should permit it to act with
and should lay before it the facts
prompt and intelligent fairness. These
government agents, if it is not deem
ed wise to appoint individuals from
outside the public service, might with
advantage be members of the execu-
TIVE departments, designated by the
president, on his own motion or on
the request of the committee, to act
with it.
i am Of the opinion, howeVo,', that
one change in the tariff could with
advantage be made forthwith. Our fors
ests need every protection, and one
method of protecting them would be
to put upon the free list wood pulp,
with a corresponding reduction upon
paper made from wood pulp, when
they come from any country that does
not put an export duty upon them.
Waterways.
Ample provision should be made
for a permanent waterways commits
sion. The reasonable expectation of
the people will not be met unless
congress provides at this session for
the beginning and prosecution Of the
actual work of waterway improve
merit and control. Congress should
recognize in fullest fashion the fact
that the subject of the conse walton
of our natural resources, with which
this commission deals, is literally vi
tai for the future of the natiou.'
Child Labor.
The president also asks for the gen
eraI prohibition of child labor; seeks
the enactment Of an employers iabil-
ity law and urges a law foTbidding in
functions except upon due notice. He
would have removed the present pen
atty for boycotting; would permit
railway probing, and pleads for fin
a1lciaI legislation. The message has
been discounted for many days and
It's reading therefore caused 40 SEN
sstion.
Child labor, he declares, shoIId be
prohibited throughout the nation. At
least a model chiId-labor bill should be
passed for the District of CoMmbia.
+ is unfortunate that in the one place
solely dependent upon congress for
it's legislation there should be no law
whatever to protect children by for
bidding or regulating their labor.
Employers Liability.
He renews his recommendation for
the immediate Teenactment of an EN-
ployers liability law, drawn to con-
form to the recent decision of he su-
pTeme court. Within the limits indi-
Gated by the court, the law should be
made thorough and comprehensive,
and the protection it affords should
embrace every class of empl2ye to
which the power Of the congress can
extend. In addition to a liability law
protecting the employees of common
carriers, the government should show
its good faith by enacting a further
law giving compensation to its own
employees for injury or death incurred
in its service"
Injunctions.
Concerning injuncttons in labor dis
putes, the president says that no tenn
porary restraining order should be is
sued by any court without notice;
and the petition for permanent in
junction upon which such temporary
restraining order has been ssued
should be heard by the court issuing
The same within a reasonable time
say, not to exceed a week or there
abouts from the date when the order
vas issued. 1t is worth cons idering
whether it would not give greater
popular confidence in the impartial
ity of sentences for contempt if it
was required that the issue should be
decided by another Judge than the
one issuing the injunction, except
where the contempt is committed in
the presence of the court, or in other
case Of urgency"
Pooling.
The interstate-commerce law should
be amended, says the president. so as
to give railroads the right to make |
traffic agreements, subject to these |.
agreements being approved by the !:
interstate commerce commission and !,
published in all Of their details. The {
commission should also be given the .
power to make public and to pass up