The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-01
The Presidents Social Sense.

If those perturbed tories who read with prodgl0us
alarm the message which the President sent to Congress
Yesterday could but know what social means, and
then thew could be induced to inform themselves to the
real mdness of the measures which the President has ad
vanced for the benefit of the social WHOLE there would be
less of that class of comment which betokens Ignorance and
prejudice.
The other day the Supreme Court held unconsttutOn
al law that forbade within the realm of Federal authority
an EMPLOYER to discharge an employee because of the
ploves membership in labor union. The court held that
an eInpoye be allowed to quit work when and for
whatever he chose and employer must De per-
ed to discharge when and for whatever cause ne liked
With this reasoning of the court agreement becomes
impossible when the social equities considered So
cety has permitted and encouraged organization and ag
gregaton Of capital III great Thus aggregated 1t
has come to dominate the business Of employment Shall
labor have the right? 1t would be quite as log
cal to impose special disabilities organized capital in the
capacity employer organized labor in the capacity
of employee Society encourages capital to aggregate itself
together Why should it discourage labor in doing the same
thing?
But there is an interest aside from either the labor
the capital involved in given controversy. Who is most
interested in the operation Of the street Of Washing
ton: the owners the empoyes Neither The public has
the first interest Society concerned and its interest must
first be considered The courts decision did not take this
primary interest into at all 1t assumed that there
are but two parties concerned In truth there three
and in the complex economic scheme Of this generation the
social DOQy mas vastly greatest Oh II6t
Likewise as to employers liability. Society is con-
cerned that It's members be protected against wanton in
jury; against the cheapenng of human life The employ
ers liability codes Of other countries go farther than has
ever suggested here And they all recognize this third
and greatest interest in protection of the employer the
terest society," which neither afford to have It's
bers lives unduy rsked in dangerous occupations
maintain public expense those unfOrtunaes who may be
rendered inefficient by injuries.
The theory Of employers liability laws is that they
impose the initial responsibility the employer but that
the employer Will add that expense the cost of his product
and collect it back society when he sells his goods In
Britain they distribute it equtaby among the employers
by wonderfully developed scheme of employees insurance
Comparison of the careful provisions wc hohr countries
have for the social protection this regard with the
careless attitude of America toward human life and social
efficiency has led conservative students to declare stu
alton barbarous.
It requires developed social understand these
aspects; the social interest the paramount
President Roosevelt has clearly it in that aspect his
critics The Presidents most Distinguishing char
acerisc is his high social perception He understand
that while it may be possible legal and technically not
immoral for the few gather together vastly dispropor
Tomato share of wealth and power yet it is simply be-
cause Of the social convention that has made So The
social convention is subject to change at the hands of
cey Any scheme Of ownership of property for instance
the result of social conventions and society may change
the scheme if it finds need.
It is not dangerous radicasm be able to see these
things with clearer vision than other them The
perception which dscens the social interest in strike
riot or railroad wreck and understands it is the quality
which makes craftsmanship The world is full of people
who imagine they it. Some of them become socialists
anarchists again tories. Some-and they
the who effect most real safe consruc
tive staesmen who would build institutions by pro
cesses of accreton of avuson; who have no blind
prejudice IN favor of the thing which is but yet who have
wish to rush into change for the sake of novelty.
President Roosevets Is Of these constructive
minds. 1t Sees it weighs it understands. That the quail
v which-has gained him the confidence Of the people
is popuarized the square DEAL" which, the Presi
dent it. and the public understands it. states the
whole matter phrase The message which has lust