The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-11-08

tiCipdte w tne lnuuStrlal progress ana
the blessings of civilization with fewer
hours of daily toll and more hours
for leisure and opportunities for re-
cuperation. study and reflection to
better fit the workers for the highest
thought and activity of citizenship.
1--WE saould press the demands for
bill for an eight hour day to cover
the field here described and hasten
the time when the long, unnecessary
and uneconomic ten hour day will
have forever passed in our wonder
fully productive work shops. bearing
ever in mind that reducing the hours
Increases the pay adds longer and
happier years 10 life, reduces disease.
and is a never falling preventative or
cure for the great white plague.
Employers Liability and Compcnsa-
ton Laws.
This important problem Is now
receiving serious and careful atten-
ton. The workers have contended
for II for a long period of time, but
In the recent past many other
thoughtful persons have given this
subject special study. and, from
the many sympathetic uttcrancos
which now reach me, show an active
consideration. 1 am hopeful that
legislation of this character will soon
take uniform and definite char
acter.
''The old fallacies like assumption
of risk 'contributory negligence.
fellow servant responsibility and
recognition by courts of the validity
of waving rights in order to obtain
employment. are fast becoming OBJ
noXlous TO right-thinking men, aud
instead of the wagc-earncr and his
family being compelled TO endure all
the mental and financial. as well as
the physical. suffering due to acci-
dents in industry. Il is now becoming
mole acceptable to the minds OF those
who would conserve the interests OF
the working forces as the prc-emincnt
and most logical of all public ques-
lions. that the Industry should bear
the financial OF accidents to the hui
man factor. exactly as it does now TO
the mechanical. accidents. or acct
dents through natural elements.
This view OF the subject Is be-
coming so pronounced that the con-
viction is fast growing that there
should be speedily enacted uniform
laws by our states for lntra-state en-
ployments together with comprc-
Lensive federal statute covering all
interstate and foreign commerce that
will provide for. and guarantee to
those who are injured during employ
mont an automatic compensation for
accidents Instead OF undertaking cx-
pensive and wearisome litigation be-
fore the courts TO recover damages.
This plan has become almost uni
versal In European countries. ~ much
80 that The last president felt so
kecnly on the subject that he practi-
cally rebuked congress because OF the
lnhumau conditions tolerated In the
United states and its multiplicity OF
industries
1T has become an additional source
Of qualification to have so many in
quiIies made as to our definite posi-
ton on tE!s phase or the solution Of
the problem. aud for the purpose OF
aiding The convention to formulate a
plan OF action that may be genorally,
supported IN the federal congress and
the various state legislatures. and all
OF a uniform character. Il has been
considered advisable TO prepare four
bills covering the various features of
these questions. They are as follows:
No 1. A bill to amend the law re-
lating to the liability OF employers
for injuries to their employees within
the statesS
No. 2. 4 bill TO provide compensa-
ton automatically for accidents oc-
curing TO employees OF the United
States government.
(Note: On May 80, 1908, bin of
this nature-though very limited in
It's prOyis.ons--was approved and be-
came a federal law, and this was OBJ
tanned wholly and solely through the
activities. and at the expense OF the
American Federation of Labor.
No. 3. A bin to provide compen-
sation automatically for accidents
In dangerous occupations subject TO |
the jurisdiction of the United States, |
and without the necessity OF litiga-
ton therefor.
No. 4. A bill TO regulate all inter-
state and foreign commerce in rcfa- |
ton to accidents and TO provide COM
pensation automatically without |
the necessity o. litigation therefor.
I'm presenting this subject to your
thoughtful consideration. II may not
be amiss TO impress upon all tho
need of uniformity in the enactment
Of these laws. II has been the banc
OF our peculiar form OF dual govern
ment that state laws differed so wide
iy as well as in some cases almost i
outrageouslN and then again the /
most of them differed so widely az
well as in some cases opposed, federal
statutes II is therefore necessary /
again to urge, that the legislative
committees of city central bodies.
state declarations. etc, act in harmony
and with the advice OF the American