Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-01
SPECIAL MESSAGE From
PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS.
Denounces Without Mincing Words His Oefamers
defends Position on Illegal Trusts. Would Stop
Stock Gambling and Act on Several Other Lines.

Washington, Jan. 31.-The special
message of the President to Congress
on the subject of the employers lil
bility act and injunctionS in labor
cases WAS presented TO the Senate 4
few minutes after II O'Clock today
to the President, entered the chamber,
there was but 4 handful of senators
present The Vice President tore open
tho big envelope containing the mes
sage and handed it to the assistant
secretary of the Senate. who imme-
dlately began its reading.
Printed copies of the message were
distributed to senators present.
Many of them appeared to satisfy
themselves concerning the nature of
tic message by scanning the printed
document so that before its reading
Was male finished they very generally
took up other matters and only few
followed the reading carefully until its
conclusion. The message follows:
TO the Senate and House Of Represent
tatives:
The recent decision Of the Supreme
Court in regard to the employers la
biiIty act. the experience of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission and of
the Department Of Justice i'll rnfOrc-
ing the interstate commerce ana anti
trist laws, and the gravely signifi-
cant attitude toward the law and its
administration recently adopted by
certain heads of great corporations.
render it desirable that there should be
additional legislation as regards Ger
capital, and between the great corpora
ton and the public.
The Supreme Court has decided the
employers liability law to be uncon-
stitutiopal because its terms apply to
employees engaged wholly in interstate
commerce as we'll as to employees en-
gagged in interstate commerce. BY 4
substantial majority the Court holds
that the Congress has power to deal
with the question III 50 far as interstate
commerce is concerned.
AS regards the employers liability
law. | advocate its Immediate reen-
actinent, limiting its scope so that ii
shall apply only to the class of cases
Stitutionally apply, but strengthening
it's provisions within this scope Inter-
state employment being thus covered
by an adeQuata national law, the field
Of intraState employment Will be left to
the action of the several States. With
this clear definition of responsibility
theStates will undoubtedly give to the
performance of their duty within their
field the consideration the Importance
ofthe subject demands.
l also very urgently advise that a
comprehe nsive act be passed providing
for compensation by the Government
to all employees injured in the Govern
mnnt 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. It
is a matter Of humiliation to the
Nation that there should not be on
our statute books provision 10 meet
and partially to atone for cruel mis-
fortune when il comes upon man
| through no fault of his own while
| faithfully serving the public. In no
| CtDHr prominent NpiiNiS Hl
| the world could such gross injustice
occur; for almost all civilized lationa
| has enacted legislation cmbodying
| the complete recognition Of the princi
pie which places the entire trade risk
| for industrial accidents excluding, oi
course. accidents due to Williul mis-
conduct by the employce) on the in
| dustry as represented by the employer
| which in this case is the Government
| In all these countries the principle APP
| niles to the Government just us mucf
rs TO the private employer. Under NJ
circumstances should the injured EN-
plovee or his surviving dependents be
required to bring suit against the GOV
eminent, nor should there be the re
| ouircnent that in order to insure re-
covery- negligence in some form on th'
part of the Government should b.
shown. Our proposition is not TO con
fer a right of action upon the Govern
ment employee, but to secure hin
suitable provision against injuries re
ceiyed in the course of his employment
The burden of the trade risk should b.
placed upon the Government. Exactl.
as the woIliingman is entitled to III
| wages, 50 liz SuOuiti ne SIillliS'' " -
demnity for the injuries sustained Il
the natural course of his labor. tn
rates Of compensation and the regula
lions for its payment should be specl
fed in the law, and the machinery TO
determining the amount to he pal
should in each case be provided in sue
manner that the employee is proper.
represented without expense 10 hin
In other words, the compensatio
should be paid automatically, Will
tile application of the law in the frs
instance should be vested in the De
partinent of Commerce and Labor
The law should apply to all laborer.
mechanics, and other civilian employee
|