The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-18

Among the prominent speakers of the
morning were John Mitchell ex-presi-
dent of the National Miners union, and
Ralph M. Easley, chairman of the ex-
ecutive council of the National Civic
Federation, formerly editor of the
Hutchinson News.
Judge Charles w. Smith, of Stockton,
was chosen as chairman, and c. E.
Jordan of Topeka, secretary.
1.-The National Civic Federation was
organized in Chicago in 1900, at the
close of the conference on Industrial
conciliation," said Mr.. Easley during
the course of an address. Senator Mar
Gus A. Hanna was its first president.
THE purpose of the organization, as
stated in it's bylaws, was to organize
an educational movement looking tow
ard the solution of some of the great
problems relating to social and indus
trial progress; to provide for study and
discussion of questions of national i'm
port; to aid thus in the crystaliZation
of the most enlightened public opinion;
and to promote legislation in accord
ance Herewith, when desirable.
There are many highly useful or
CARNATIONS of farmers, manufacturers,
wage earners, bankers, merchants,
lawyers, economists and other distinct
but interacting elements of society,
which hold meetings for discussion of
affairs peculiar to their own pursuits
federation in addition to its depart
ments for the accomplishing of specific
purposes, provides a forum where rep
resentatives of all these elements of
society may meet to discuss important
problems in which they nave com
mon interest
six national conferences have thus
far been held upon primary election
and ballot reforms, foreign policy,
trusts and combination, Cancellation
20 INN
and public ownership and uniform
state legislation. These conferences
have usually been attended by dele
gates appointed by governors of states,
mayors of cities, and by representa-
tives selected by various commercial,
Industrial and educational bodies"
The present activities of the feder-
alton are divided into six departments,
as follows: Cancellation, trade agree
ments, Industrial economics, public
ownership, immigration. workmen
welfare, compensation for industrial
accidents.
Organize the State.
The meeting today was held on ac-
count of a resolution presented at
conference of the National Civic fed
Grafton in Washington during jan
uary, which called for the holding of
organization meetings in various
states.
legislation is growing" said Mr.. God
ard Take this subject of marriage
and divorce. tits not right that the
laws of the states should differ in
the manner in which they do.
Zone state now hesitates about pass
ing a labor or commercial law as 1t
may be detrimental to that state on
account of the lack of uniformity of
the laws of other states. There is a
danger that the powers of the federal
government will reach out and get
away from the interests of the people
"Our form of government is one of
the best possible, but as Mr.. Root said,
We should legislate as family of
states rather than as individuals
Attorney General Fred S. Jackson
was asked to address the meeting. Il
am heartily in sympathy with this or
ganization." he said Il am in SYM
pathy with any organization that has
as its purpose the securing of better
| legislation. Most of the good legisla-
ton that has come in this country in
the last few years has been brought
about through organizations.
"I do not believe that uniformity
| of laws is the greatest thing to be at
| tanned, but the greatest thing should
be the securing of good legislation"
Chairman Judge Charles w. Smith
spoke on Work of Commissioners on
Uniform Laws" and Judge Stephen
H. Allen of Topeka. told of Reform
| in Legal Procedure"
John Mitchell Speaks.
John Mitchell addressed the meet
ing on the subject of Compensation
for Industrial Accidents Il think if
the American people understood our
' life they would be more interested