Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-18

The distance already gained toward a
general uniformity OF legislation on import
ant subjects is greater than the average
Individual is aware. The meeting together
Of the Interstate Commerce commission
and the railway commissions OF the various
states, together with the railway man
ayers associations and the associations OF
shippers. has resulted in the establishment
Of certain lines which state legislation
should take, and II is probable that all new
railroad legislation by the states will be
in accordance with these recommendations
There is, perhaps, no other instance II
American history where all interests In 2
given kind of legislation have been brough
so closely together, and where they 10"
considered a subject from every viewpoint
with the care that has characterised these
meetings OF the varied interests which are
affected by the railroads.
Uniformity Of legislation has progressed
30 far that at least two important subjects
OF business aw. are now covered by uni
form laws in thirty-six OF the states. IN.
has been accomplished by the untiring wori'
OF the American Bar association, which
may be said to be the pioneer in advocacy
OF uniform Legislation. Judge Alton B
Parker, the democratic candidate for presi
dent in 1904. who is regarded as one of the
best lawyers In the country, is at the head
of the American Bar association committee
which is working to have a model divorct
statute framed for the guidance of all tn
states. Under the marriage laws as they
now stand, a child may be Legitimate il
one state, but illegltimate in another. Like
wise, a man may so manipulate his MARTA
relations by a change OF residence as to be
the husband Of two wives and not a big
amist.
Few subjects have had a text book made
In such a remarkable way as that Of con-
servation. When President Roosevelt called
together his now historical conference Of
the governors the literature on the subjec,
Of conservation was limited to stray dis
cussions In technical journals and ovor-
drawn statements III the magazines. But
one Of the outcomes Of that conference
was the publication OF the proceedings OF
the meetings. 20 which the conferees seem
to nave brought everything that is known
about conservation. Everything is dis
cussed, from tho preservation of health to
the conservation of scenic beauty, from
the outstanding of the coal supply to the
saving of trees. Practically everything
that is worth while In the new science is
to be found in one volume. Yet it is not
for sale at the book stores. The White
House is the publisher and the distributing
agent. 1t is presumed thai arrangements
will be made for the publication Of the
proceedings OF this years conference, and
when they are published the world will
get a chance to see how far knowledge
pertaining to the subject Of conservation
has advanced in the biennium.
There will be a marked change in tn;
personnel of the house of governors th!i
year as compared with two years ago. TIL,
president of the United States will be {
different person, and twenty-seven of tn
forty-six states have changed adminlstra
tons in the two years. At the 1908 NEE:
ing one Of the governors remarked tina
many OF those who participated then woul'
not do so again. but he was hardly pre-
pared for the great number OF change
that have occurreds This year the meet
ing win be held with the conspicuous alb
sence rof Governor'John A. Johnson, VIII,
las a favorite with many for the demo
cratic nomination for president. In thi
particular his place win be filled by Gov
ernor Judson Harmon.
One of the subjects which will be dis
cussed by the governors is the contentio
of the Plnchot-Ballinger forces III the con
servation world. Pinchot Claims that Their
Is the spirit Of the law which maketh alive
while Ballinger contends that the lette
Of the law must be his sole guide, an
that IL congress meant anything else tina
the letter 1t would have said so. The di1
ferences of opinion between Secretary Bal
linger and Mr.. Pinchot are shared by tn
governors, and the whole matter is likel
to be fully threshed out.
There will he abundant work for tn
house of governors and the Civic fedora
ton. The harmony they hope to Great
among the states is In keeping with tn
, spirit of cooperation that is even reachln
l out toward a world alliance, Recently a
$ account was given in one of these article
3 of an internal ional conference on hero
( drugs. There are international treaties IL
: the detection and extradition OF crimina
: and dozens of other. agreements which ind
: cate that tho federation of the world
= may not always remain a poetic dream.
ny FREDERIC j. HASKIN.
womorrow-Monsy in Prize Fighting.