The Washington herald., 1909-02-14
FORUM FOR NATION
National Civic Federation
Seeks Uniform Legislation.
]. HAYS HAMMOND CHAIRMAN
Representatives. from Various States
10 Convene Annually for Discussion
of Elements in Which They Have
Common Interest - Prominent
Names on Roster of the Committee

The National Civic Federation, through
It's experience in holding national con-
ferences on such subjects as the trusts
taxation, immigration, and election re-
form, has become impressed with the
necessity for a systematic national EFFORT
toward obtaining within reasonable limits
more uniform legislation IN the States
Of TIE Union.
There are useful national organizations
OF farmers. manufacturers. wage earners
bankers, merchants, lawyers, economists,
and other organizations which hold na-
tonaI meetings for the discussion Of AZ
fairs peculiar 10 their own pursuits and
calllags.
The civic Federation. however. pro
vldes & forum IN its annual conference
for representatives OF al these elements
70 discuss national problems in which
they have q common interest Heretofore
there has Oeen no effort to crystaIlize
into state organizations this representa-
tive membership for the accomplishment
OF concrete aims.
Committee Is Appointed.
a committee mas been appointed 10
organize q council Of 100 representative
men in each State. John Hays Ham
mond has accepted the chalrmanshlp Of
this commitIee. Of which the following
are also members: Alton B. Parker, New
York: Myron T Herrick. Ohio: David r
Francis, Missouri; Curtis Guild, jr.. Mas
sachusetts; Nahum J. Bachelor. New
Hampshire; Edwin Warheld, Maryland;
Herman Ridder. New York; G F Brook
er. Connecticut: Bruce Haldsman, ken
tucky; Victor Rosewater. Nebraska;
Clark Howell. Georgia: P I Bonebrake.
kansas: James Lynch, Indiana: Harry
Pratt JUdson. Illinois; A. H Revell, Illi-
nois. John Lennon. Illinois: John II.
Holiday. Indiana. Benjamin Ide Wheel
ct. California
The development OF the nation and the
changes in conditions brought about by
that development have emphasized the
harmfulness Of the incongruities IN the
law, adopted as they have been without
any attempt az uniformity in regulating
the same sUbtect-matter.
Prof. Edwin r A SeHgman, Of COluna-
bia University, az the National Civic
Federation conference on taxation. at
Buffalo. referred to ths injustice result
ing from our present lack Of uniform
laws as follows.
Mississippi Is vastly different from
Massachusetts, South Dakota is not the
same as Pennsylvania. A system OF
taxation may still work fairly vel for an
agricultural community and may be
entirely unsuited for its industrial
neIghbor.
Yet" ne continued. -an unequal tax
on q farmer in one State may make Il
difficult for him TO sell his product IN the
worlds market; an unjust tax upon the
manufacturer or business man may drive
him out Of the business in that State; an
unfair tax upon q corporation may cause
Il 70 move to another State Action By
any State Is sure 20 react upon its neigh
Dor. The business Of the United States
has become national and international
Importance of Organization
Further. the Importance OF the Pre-
posed organization as an agency making
for a deeper sense Of the unity OF the
people Of the whole country becomes ap-
parent IN view OF the benefits arising
from the coming together OF representa-
tive men from all parts. animated by a
broad patriotic spirit
It IS confidently expected the meeting
FOR the common good OF men from al
the States and the opportunities such
meetings viii afford for better under
standing and appreciation OF the people
and the institutions Of widely separated
sections viii bring about an increased
sense OF the unity Of the whole people,
and a deeper, more intelligent love Of
country