The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-05

aims ana purposes are EenGrai1y kocu,
and believe that all Of them have
some of them have been guilty OF
wrong doing.
Ana1yze Criticism.
Outside critics should appreciate
the necessity of organized labor, and
understand and sympathize with what
Is good in 1t. instead of condemning
II Unfortunately. On the other hand,
those within its ranks should fear
lessiy analyze the criticisms directed
against II and ruthlessly eliminate
from the practices of its organization
those things which justify such criti-
cism and attack. This Is the path, not
only of right, but of wisdom and safe
~.
II think that the next quarter of a.
century Will be important politically
in many ways: and in none more 80
than in the labor movement. Not
only are the benefits OF labor organi-
cations more clearly understood than
ever before, but any shortening OF
vice displayed In connection there
with Is also more clearly understood
and more quickly resented. Any
thing like ievity in provoking a strike,
on the one hand or on the other, is
certain more and more to be resented
necessary and proper; sometimes they
represent the only way in which. after
all other methods have been exhaust
ed, IL is possible for the laeoring man
to stand for his rights; but ii must be
clearly understood that q strike is a
matter of last resort.
Protect the Weak.
Women and children should. be-
yond all question. be protected: and
in their cases there can be no ques-
ton that the States should act. They
! should be particular objects of our
! sollcitude; and they should be guard
ed In an effective fashion against the
| demands of too greedy commercial
/ ism. On my recent trip in the neigh
| borhood of Scranton and Wilkesbarre
/ every one / spoke to agreed as TO
| the immense Improvement that had
! been wrought by the effective enforce
( ment of the laws prohibiting children
1 under the age of fourteen years from
/ working. and prohibiting women from
1 working more than ten hours a day
/ Personally. 1 think ten hours too
! long: but. be this as 1t may, ten hours
/ a day was great advance.
Among the planks In the plat
I form of the American Federation OF
Labor there are some to which / very
| strongly subscribe. They are
81 Free schools free text books
| and compulsory education.
% A work-day of not more thar
eight hours.
! 80 Release from employment one
day in seven.
~ The abolition OF the sweat-shoI
system.
rs. Sanitary inspection of factory
| Workshop, mine and home.
I s1i T.f
| jury to body or loss of life.
Il regard the demand In this form
| as inadequate.
az. The passage and enforcement OF
rigid anti child labor laws which VII
cover every portion of this country.
7 IS. Suitable and plentiful play
grounds for children In all the cities.
Prevention Best.
'Tnasmuch as prevention is always
best, especial attention should be pait
to the prevention Of Industrial acci
dents by passing laws requiring tn
use OF safety devices. At present tn
loss of life and limb among the indus
trial workers of the United States
simply appalling. and every year equal
I Ia magnitude the killed and wounde1
of a fair-sized war. Most OF thes
casualties are preventabie: and on
legislative policy should be shaped &C
cordingly."
To Enter Battle.
The colonel to-day prepared to in
wade the political battle over conserVa
ton that lie expected at the conserve
+ / tfon congress, at st. Paul.
Roosevelt Is due to speak there TO
morrow and Il became apparent her
to-day that he Is preparing burnln
thoughts for distribution For som
months, during the preparations Tor tn
congress. there has been forecasted
bitter fight to wrest the control OF Tn
Congress from clifford Pinchot. Jane
r. Garfield, and their followers, wa
organized the affair.
just what attitude the Colonel WI
take in his speech tomorrow viii az
! pend entirely upon the situation as n
3nds IL. but to-day he was inclined
feel rather strongly In the matter
Well Informed.
Pinchot and Garfield. already ON IN
scene are Keeping the colonel as we
acquainted with the situation as we
as they can. Roosevelt has aiwas
stood sauarefy behind the Pinchot idea
!. on conservation and there Is no dout
I II trouble starts in ST. Paul, the coioh'
, viii be in the thick Of IL. He VIII go
the aid OF Pinchet ana Garneld. q
strongly as possible, and Will show U
Roosevelt fighting spirit. according
indications to-day.
! IT is believed that the attitude
1 President Taft, and his speech at ,
, paul to-day, will have much TO DO VII
: the colonels utterances tomorrow.
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