Connecticut western news., 1908-07-16

duStry makes 1t essential that there ! should be no abridgment of the right | of wage earners and producers to or. ganize for the protection of wages and the improvement of labor conditions to the end that such labor organiza- tions and their members should not be regarded as illegal combinations in re- straint of trade
 government work.
 "We pledge the Democratic party to the enactment of a law by congress, as far as the federal jurisdiction ex- tends, for a general employers liabil- ity act covering injury to body or loss of life of employees.
 We pledge the Democratic party to the enactment of law creating a de- | partment of labor. represented sep arately in the presidents cabinet, which department shall include the subject of mines and mining.
 We assert the right of congress to | exercise complete control over inter. | state commerce and the right of eart state to exercise like control over com- merce within its borders.
 The Rebate Question.
 "We demand such enlargement of the powers of the interstate commerce | commission as may be necessary to compel railroads to perform their du- ! ties as common carriers and prevent | discrimination and extortion.
 we favor the efficient supervision and rate regulation of railroads en- gagged in interstate commerce. To this end we recommend the valuation of 1 railroads by the interstate commerce commission, such valuation to take into consideration the physical value of the property, the original cost of production and all clements of value that will render the valuation made fair and just
 "We favor such legislation as will prohibit the railroads from engaging in business which brings them into l competition with their shippers; also legislation which will assure such re- duction in transportation rates as con ditions will permit, care being taken to avoid reductions that would com pei a reduction of wages, prevent ade- quate service or do injustice to legiti- mate investments. We heartily ap- prove the laws prohibiting the pass and the rebate, and we favor any fur ther necessary legislation to restrain, control and prevent such abuses.
 'We welcome the belated promise of tariff reform now affected by the Republican party in tardy recognition of the righteousness of the Democrat ic position oa this question. But these people cannot safely intrust the exc Ct tion of this important work to a party which is so deeply obligated to the highly protected interests as Is the Republican party. We call attention to the significant fact that the prom ised relief was postponed until after the coming election-an election to succeed in which the Republican par ty must have that same support from the beneficiaries of the high protec- tive tariff as it has always heretofore received from them, and to the fur ther fact that during years of unin- terrupted power no action whatever has been taken by the Republican congress to correct the admittedly ex- isting tariff iniquities.
 "We favor immediate revision of the tariff by the reduction of import du- ties. Articles entering into competi- tion with trust controlled products should be placed upon the free list, and material reductions should be made in the tariff upon the neces- saries of life, especially upon articles competing with such American man. ufactures as are sold abroad more cheaply than at home, and graduate reductions should be made In such other schedules as may be necessary to restore the tariff to a revenue basis.
 Existing duties have given to the manufacturers of paper shelter be- hind which they have organized com binations to raise the prlce of pulp and of paper, thus imposing tax upon the spread of knowledge. We de- mand the immediate repeal of the tariff on pulp print paper, lumber, timber and logs and that these arti- cles be placed upon the free list.
 Blame For the Panic.
 "The panic of 1907, coming without
 
 publican party had for a decade been in complete control of the federal gov ernment, furnishes additional proof that it is either unwilling or incompe- tent to protect the interests of the general public. It has so linked the country to Wall street that the sins of the spectators are visited upon the whole people. While refusing to res cue wealth producers from spoilation at the hands of the stock gamblers and spectators in farm products, it has deposited treasury funds, without interest and without competition, in favorite banks. It has used an emer- gency for which it is largely responsi- ble to force through congress bill changing the basis of bank currency and inviting market manipulation aud has failed to give to the 15,000,000 de- positors of the country protection in their savings.
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