Evening journal., 1908-01-31
Ccontinusd From First Paxe)

~ INC SENATE ana House or Repre-
sentatives:
'The recent decision OF the Supreme
Court in regard to the employers LA
bility act, the experience of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission and of the
Department of Justice in enforcing the
interstate commerce and antitrust
laws. and the gravely significant atti-
tude toward the law and its admins
tration recently adopted by certain
heads Of great corporations, render it
desirable that there should be addi-
tional legislation as regards certain Of
the relations between labor and capital.
and between the great corporations and
the public.
las regards the employers liability
law. 1 advocate its immediate reenact-
ment. limiting its scope so that il SHAH
apply only to the class OF cases as to
which court says Il can constitutionaliv
apply, but strengthening its provisions
within this scope. Interstate employ
ment being thus covered by an ade-
ouate national law. tie field of intra-
state employment win be left to the
action Of the several States.
Asks Pensions for Government EN-
ployes.
I also very urgently advise that a
comprehensive act be passed providing
Tor compensation by the Government
to all employees injured in the govern
ment service. Under the present law an
injured workman in the employment Of
the government has no remedy, and
the entire burden Of the accident falls
on the helpless man, his wife, and his
young children. This is an outrage.
In no other prominent Industrial coun-
try in the world could such gross in
| Justice occur The law should applv
TO all laborers. mechanics, and other
ciVlllan employees of the government
OF the United States. including those in
the service Of the Panama Canal Com
mission and Of the insular govern
ments.
The same broad principle which
should apply TO the government should
ultimately be made applicable to all
private employers. Where the nation
has the power II should enact laws to
this effect Where the States alone
have the power they should enact the
laws. 1t is to be observed that an
employers liability law ooes not really
mean mulcting employers in damages.
IL merely throws upon the employer
the burden of accident insurance
against Injuries which are sure to oc-
cur.
Wants Injunction Laws Continued,
I again call your attention to the
need Of some action in connection with
the abuse OF injunctions in labor cases.
| -frrI.A
labor and capital. from blacklistine Ia
boycotting, the whole subject is cover
ed in admirable fashion by the report
Of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commits
sion. which report should serve as a
chart for the guidance Of both legis.
lative and executive officers. AS re-
CARDS iniunctions. can do little Su,
repeat what have said in my last
message to Congress-. Even though II
were possible. I should consider II most
unwise to abolish the use of the process
Of Injunction. It is necessary in order
! that the courts may maintain their
| own dignity and in order that they
may in effective manner cheek disorder
and violence.
"But theca is no question in my mind
that II ha- sometimes been used heed
lessly and uLjustiy, ami that some of
the in1unctions issued inflict grave and
occasionally trreparabls wrong upon
those enioined. It is indefensihle f.r
men to be enJolned from peacefully
soliciting others to join a labor union,
or. under anv ordinary circumstances,
from Withdrawing from the service Of
eny employer. in a controversy, arising
in good faith. as to the terms Of their
employment.
1t is all wrong to use the Injunction
to prevent the entirely proper and
legitimate actions Of labor organiza-
tons in their struggle for Industrial
betterment, or under the gulse OF pro-
tecting property rights unwarrantanly
to invade the fundamental rights Of
the individual. It is futile to concede.
as we all do. the right and necessity
of organized effort on the part Of wage
earners and vet by injunctive process
TO forbid peaceful action to accomplish
the lawful objects for which they are
organized and upon which their success
depends.
Federal Control Of Railroads.
ROADS.
Il think that the Federal Govern
ment must also assume a certain meas
ure of control over the physical oper-
alton Of railways in the handling Of
interstate traffic. The Commission now
has authority to establish through
routes and joint rates In order to
make this provision effective and in
order to promote in times OF necessity