The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-01
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
SENDS IN HOT MESSAGE.
Standard Oil and Santa Fe Railroad Special
Objects of the Wrath Of the
Chief Executive
predatory Wealth., Subsidized Newspapers and Corpora
ton Lawyers Denounced in Terms of UnmeaS-
ured Severity

jority the court holds that the congress
has power to deal with the question, in
sofar as interstate commerce is con-
cerned.
As regards the employers liability law, l
advocate its immediate re-enactment. linn
iting its scope so that it shall apply
only to the class of cases as to which
the court says it can constitutional1y APP
ply, but strengthening its provisions with
i'm this scope Interstate employment be-
ing thus covered by an adequate national
law, the field of interstate employment
will be left to the action of the several
states. With this clear definition of re-
sponsibility. the states will undoubtedly
give to the performance of their duty
within their field the consideration the
Importance of the subject demands.
l also very urgently advise that a COM
prehensive act be passed providing for
compensation by the government 10 all
employees injured in the government serv-
ice. Under the present law an injured
workman in the employment of the gov
eminent has no remedy, and the entire
burden of the accident falls on the help
less man. his wife and his young chill
dren. This is an outrage. This is a
matter of humiliation to sthe nation that
there should not be on our statute books
for cruel misfortune when ii comes upon
a man through no fault of his own while
faithfully serving the public.
Other Countries Provide Funds.
In no other prominent Industrial coun-
try in the world could such gross in
justice occur; for almost all civilized ma
lions have enacted legislation embOdying
the complete recognition of the principles
which places the entire trade risk for
industrial accidents Excluding, of course,
accidents due to willful misconduct by the
emplOyeS) on the industry as represent
ed by the employer. which in this case
is the government. In all these countries
irla 10 ,o ant
Just as much as to the private employee
Under no circumstances should the in
Jured employe or his surviving depend
ents be required to bring suit against the
government nor should there be the re-
quirement that in order to insure recov-
cry negligence in some form on the part
of the government should be shown. Our
proposition is not to confer right upon
the government employee but to secure
him suitable provision against injuries re-
ceiVed in the course of his employment
The burden of the trade risk should be
placed upon the government. Exactly as
the workingman is entitled to his wages
so he should be entitled to indemnity for
the injuries sustained in the natural
course of his labor. The rates OF COM
penSatlOn and the regulations for its pay
ment should be specified in the law. and
the machinery for determining the
amount to be paid should in each cas-.
be provided in such manner that the en-
pioye is properly represented without ex-
pense to him In other words, the COM
penSdtlOn should be paid automatically
while the application of the law in the
first instance should be vested in the de-
paTtment OF commerce and labor. The
law should apply to all laborers, mechan-
les and other civilian employees of the
government of the United States, includ-
ing those in the service of the Panama
canal commission and insular govern
ments.
Should Apply to All Employers.
The same broad principle which should
apply to the government should ultimate
~ be made applicable to all private en-
ployers; Where the nation has the power
IT 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 does not
really mean mulcting the employers in
damages. II merely throws upon the en-
ployer the burden Of accident insurance
against injuries which are sure to occur
II requires him either to bear or to dis
tribute through insurance the loss which
can readily be borne when distributed,
but which, if undistributed bears with
frightful hardship upon the unfortunate
victim of accident. In theory, if wages
We're always freely and fairly adjusted,
they would always include an allowance
as against the risk of injury, tust as
certainly as the rate of interest for money
includes an allowance for insurance
against the risk of loss. In theory, if
men, they would employ that part of their
wages which is received because of the
risk of injury TO secure accident insur-
ance. But as matter of fact, it is
not practical TO expect that this will be
done by the great body of employees An
employers liability law makes it certain
that II viii be done. in effect by the
employer and ii will ultimately impose
no real additional burden upon him.
Relief of Canal Employees.
There is a special bill to which | call
your attention. Secretary Taft has urg-
emily recommended the immediate pass
age of a law providing for compensation
to employees of the government injured
in the work of the isthmian canal, and
that 100000 be appropriated for this pur-
pose each year. / earnestly hope this
will be done and that a special bill be
passed covering the case of Yardmaster
Continued on Page 6.