Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-17

votes. In the discussions I asserted
that I was as much interested as any
one in maintaining the cause of labor,
when labor organized or unorganized
by proper methods sought to better its
condition by legislation or otherwise.
''I said l expected to recommend to
congress, if l were elected, that inter-
state railroads be required to adopt
any additional devices found useful
for the purpose of saving from loss of
life or limb employees engaged in the
dangerous business of railroading.
81 also said I favored the adoption
of legislation looking TO a proper def
milton of the cases in which prelim-
mary injuncticns might issue without
notice and defining tie procedure in
such matters
Now that the election has come and
gone I want to take this opportunity
of saying that 1 have not forgotten
my own promises or those of the plat
form, and l propose In the next session
of congress to recommend the legisla-
tion on the subject of injunction which
was promised in the Republican plat
form and to see whether by such legis
lation it is not possible to avoid even
a few cases of abuses that can be cited
against the federal courts in the exer-
else of their Jurisdiction.
Doubts Good Result
IT do not think trade unionism was
greatly aided by the attempt to drag
all organized labor into politics and to
induce it to vote one way, but that does
not prevent my placing a proper esti-
mate on the immense good for labor
In general which it's organization and
its efforts to secure higher wages have
accomplished.
81 know there is an element amour am
ployers and investors which is utterly on
posed to the organization of labor. 1 cam
not sympathize with this element in tho
slightest degree think it is a wise course
for labOrers to unite to defend their inter-
ests.
1T is wise course for them to provide
fund by which, should occasion arise and
strikes or lockouts follow, those who lose
their places may be supported, pending an
adjustment of the difficulties.
Il think the employers who decline to deal
with organized labor and to recognize 1t ns
q proper element in the settlement OF wage
controversies behind the times.
There is not the slightest doubt that IL
labor had remained unorganized wages
would be very much lower.
ut is true that In the end they probably
would be hxed by the law of supply and de-
mand, but generally before this law mani
tests itself there Is a period in which labor
If organized and acting together can compel
the employer promptly to recognize the
change of conditions and advance wages to
meet rising market and an increase in
profits and the other hand can delay tho
too quick impulse of tho employer facing
less prosperous future to economizo By re-
ducing wages.
Living Higher
There is higher standard of living
among American laborers than in any
country in the world, and while there
doubtless have been a good many 9TH
er reasons for this, certainly the effect
of the organization of labor has been
to maintain the steady and high rate of
wages making such a standard Of liv-
ing possible.
Nothing 1 have said or shall say
should be construed into an attitude of
criticism against or unfriendly TO the
working men who for any reason do
not join unions. Their right to labor
for such wages as they choose to ace
cept is sound, and any lawless invasion
of that right cannot be too severely
condemned.
"All advantages of trades unionism
great as they are, cannot weigh a
feather in the scale against the right
of any man lawfully seeking employ
ment to work for whom and at what
price he will. And 1 say this with all
Continued On Page Ffvs)