The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-18
Taft Hopes to Discharge
I Remaining Pledges of
] Republican Party.
CONFERS WITH
LABOR LEADERS
Has Broad, General Scheme of
Proposed Legislation in Inter
est of Men Who Toil-Con-
gress May Change Rela-
tons of Employer and
Employe.
ESPECIAL 10 The Times Dispatch.1

tspsssal T. The Timer Tim, sa R,spalt1shp ro-
posed labor legislation will be
prominent feature of President Tafts
Legislative program during the lortn-
coming session of Congress. MIR. Iait
is already III communication with John
Mitchell and other labor leaders OF
high standing, ana in his annual mes
sage he viii lay special stress upon
the obligations OF the Republican party
to discharge the remaining pledges OF
1903.
Investigation OF the results o. the
last session of Congress shows that
labor shared well in the achievements
OF the Taft administration. on the
recommendation OF Secretary Baliin6er.
the President made Il special effort in
favor or the new Bureau OF Mines,
the creation OF which, in the estima.
ton OF Mr.. Taft. establishes ian eNi-
Client governmental instrument for IN
veBtigation. examinations. and report
to the world OF the kind OF safety
appliances that Will prevent the AWFUL
loss OF life In the operation OF mines,
and especially of coal mines
To Bencnt Mining.
Thusfhe has described IT in his carr
paisn letter 10 Chairman Mckinley.
And not only was this Bureau OF
gers under which hundreds of thou
sands Of miners work, but a second
purposa of the bureau Is TO perform
the same Office in respect to the mining
industry that the Department or 4Agrt-
culture performs In respect to the
farming interests of the country: that
Is by experiment and Investigation TO
determine the most effective methods
of mining and the best means or
avoiding the deplorable waste that
now obtains In the present mining
methods.
practically. classes of employees"
says the President, especially those en-
gagged in occupations more or less haz-
ardous. are the bcneficiaries OF laws
which should operate to tighten the
burdens which naturally fall upon the
shoulders of man.
1t Is upon this plan that all the labor
legislation which was enacted by the
last Congress, and which the President
plans for the next session. IL based.
II Is with this idea in view, for instance,
that the President secured the enact
ment of law giving to the Interstate
Commerce Commission amplifed powers
10 define the need OF safety appliances
for the prevention of accidents to en-.
ployes and passengers, and. after a
hearing, to require their adoption BY
interstate railways.
Similarly, the President demanded
and received law which perfected the
employers. liability act, so as to en-
able injured employees more easily to
recover just damages. Under the law
as 1t formerly stood, an Injured EN-.
pioye could only sue for damages If
the home of the company in whose ser.
vice he was injured. or where ii main.
tanned an Office. Under the amend
ment. an action may now be brough
against such concern in practicall,
any part of the United States.
These three legislative acts compre
hend all OF the measures for. the bet
ter protection of labor that were passed
by the last Congress. They show
great advance over Legislation enacted
by previous Congresses and are to b,
attributed almost wholly to the insist
ence Of the Predetermined the promise.
TO labor made In the Chicago platform
should be faithfully carried out.
HIS General Scheme.
AS to the next Congress. while Their,
are details in the Presidents program
that have not yet been worked out
there is one broad, general schem
which he has In view that looks {,
the accomplishment of a reform t
which labor has long worked in vain
Likewise, at the suggestion of tn
President, there has been appointed
congressional committee. which. In til
words OF Mr.. Taft is to report a prac
teal bill for the fixing of workmen.
compensation for injuries receiver i,
the employment of Interstate commerce
railways. all risks. In the business /
be fixed by speedy arbitration and I
be graduated according to tho extern
OF injury and the earning CAPACITY =
the injured person."
ffheaViaWs u ra o;.3a,,1
form is complete, not only affectin
railways engaged III Interstate con,
MERGE but as establishing il adopter
model TO the country for a beneficia
cNange In the legal relation betwee
q employees and employer. Such a re
FORM the President believes, would pu
an END 70 the veSatlous and costly lit
lgat1oh through which an Injured EN-
ploye must so in order toIx rerova
damages-a litigation which. by rea 81
Of the poverty OF the employe, freulent
~ serves to defeat the ends OF iustIc
and In other instances leads "a 49,
bltant and unjust verdicts ~
The movement In favor OF sett,in
this. problem of workmen's .,omnans.
ton is the most forward step thar ,a
been taken In the interest Of the labo;
Ing man In a generation
Vacation Is Ended.
President rafts vacation cam, "a, "a
81 end to-day. AT midnight to-n.,rro
night he will board train for al,
cinnati, going BY way Of New Have
where lie Will attend meeting9o II
Yale Corporation on Monday, Tue
day will find him in {Cincinnatl.8 who
he will deliver an address at the ope,
ing Of a dam that will outline his 4,
h. ture policy with regard toSrivsr ar
harbor improvements, The remnind'
of his stay In Cincinnati Will be give
UP to the dispatch Of private busines
7continued On Second Page),
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