The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-07

for a large sum for the addition of lights
and other aids to the m of the seas,
including a number In Alaska. The trade
along that coast is becoming so important
that l respectfully urge the necessity for
following his recommendation.
Bureau of Corporations.
The Commissioner of Corporations has
just completed the first part of a report
This part does not treat OF the question
of a trust or combination in the manu-.
~facture OF lumber, Il subject to be dealt
with later. The commissioner does find,
however,, a condition In the ownership OF
the standing timber of the United States,
other than the government timber. thai
calls for serious attention. The direct In.
vestigation made by the Commissioners GOV.
cred an area which contains so per cent. Of
the privately owned timber OF the country
His report shows that one-half of the tim
and corporations: that II per cent. is own
ed by three corporations. and that there Is
very extensive interownership OF stock,
as well as other circumstances all pointing
to friendly relations among those who own
a majority of this timber. a relationship
which might lead to a combination for the
maintenance of a price that would be very
detrimental to the public interest. and
would create the necessity Of removing all
tariff obstacles to the free importations OF
lumber from other countries.
Bureau of Fisheries.
I an glad to note in the secretary's re.
port the Satisfactory pTohTesS WHICH ~
being made in respect TO the preservation
Of the seals of the Pribiloff Islands.
Coast and Geodetic Survey.
The Coast and Geodetic Survey has been
Philippine archipelago. This Is a heavy
work, because OF the extended character
of the coast line in those Islands. but J
am glad to note that about half OF the
needed survey has been completed.
Bureau of Labor.
The Commissioners OF Labor has been ac-
lively engaged in composing the differences
between employers and employees engaged
In instertate transportation. under the Erd-
man act. jointly with the chairman of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. can
not sneak in too high terms of the success
of these two officers in Cancellation and
settlement of controversies which. but FOR
their interposition, would have resulted dis
astrously to all interests.
I invite attention TO the very serious In
Jury caused to all those who are engaged
In the manufacture of PHOSPHORUS matches;
The diseases Incident TO this are frightful
/, and as matches can be made from other
materials entirely innocuous. ] believe that
| the injurious manufacture could be dis
couraged and ought to be Discouraged by
the Imposition of a heavy Federal tax. ]
recommend the adoption OF this method OF
stamping out a very serious abuse.
Eight-IIour Law.
Since 1865 II has been the declared pur-
pose of this government to favor the move
mept for an eiyht-!lour day by a provision
OF law that none OF the employees en-
Il ployed by or on peHa't " tHe soHe'HNleH'
every twenty-four.
This law has been construed to limit the
application of the requirement to those
who are directly employed by the govern
ment or to those who are employed upon
public works situated upon land owned b,
the United States. This construction pre-
vented its application to government battle
shlps and other vessels built in private ship
Yards and to heavy guns and armorplatt
contracted for and made at private estab'
llishments.
The proposed act provides that no labor
or or mechanic doing any part OF the worl
contemplated by u contract with the unitee
States In the employ OF the contractor ol
any subcontractor shah he required or per
mitted to work more than eight hours u
day in any one calendar day.
1t seems TO me from the past history tina
the government has been committed to .
%Ipolicy of encouraging the Limitation OF tht
Iday's work to eight hours IN all works o
construction initiated by ITSELF, and y seem:
to me illogical to maintain q differenc,
between government work done on govern
ment soil and government work done Ii
a private establishment, To require, how
ever. that every small contract 81 manutan,
ture entered into BY the government shout,
n be carried out by the contractor with mel
working at eight hours would be 10 impos'
an intolerable burden upon the government
by limiting It's SOURCES OF supply and leX
ciuding altogether the greet majority o
those who would otherwise compete TO
A itR business.
/ that instead OF ~enacting tn,
proposed bill, the meaning OF which Is no
clear and definite and might sbe given
4. construction embarrassing 70 sSthe public In
terest, tho present act ne enlarged by pro
+, viding that public works shall be con
strned to Include not only buildings an,
work upon punlic ground, but also ships
armor and large guns whom manufacture,
In pStyats yards or Factories.
IN One Of the Hpeat difficulties IN ~anfnrain