The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-06

the field OF battle Ia save the nation
in the hour Of its direst need, q
owe debt which has not been ana
should not be computed In beRruag-
ing or parsmonious spirit. But while
we should be- actuated by this spirit
to the soldier himself care should lee
exercised not to 60 to absurd lengths
or distribute the bounty OF the Rav-
eminent To classes Of persons who
may, at this late day. from a mere
mercenary motive. @sek to obtain
some legal relation with an old vet
eran now tottering on the brink Of
the grave. The true spirit OF the
pension laws Is to he found IN the
noble sentiments expressed by MIR.
Lincoln In his last inaugural address.
wherein. In speaking OF the nations
duty to its soldiers when the struggle
should he over he said we should
care for him who shall have borne
the battle, and for his widow and or
phans.'
Departmcn Of Agriculture.
Tho report OF the secretary of az
ricnitura invites attention TO the stu
pendous value az the agricultural
products Of this country. amounting
in all to ss.s2s, 100000 for this year.
This amount is larger than that OF
1909 by S.0vo .0ee. The existence
CT such a crop Indicates good pros
>ect for business throughout the
!. country.
Forest Service.
have already referred TO the for
ests of the United States and their
extent, and have urged. as do again.
the removal of the limitation upon
the power of the executive to reserve
ether tracts of land IN six Western
States Ia which withdrawal for this
purpose is now forbidden. The sec
rotary OF agriculture gives a very
full description OF the disastrous fires
that occurred during the last summer
in the national forests
Depa rtment OF Commerce. and Labor.
The secretary OF the Department OF
Commerce ana Labor has had under
his Immediate supervision the appIi-
cation of the merit systcm OF pro-
motion To large number OF employees.
and his discussion of this method OF
promotions based on actual expert
ence, I commend TO the attention of
Congress-
The Census Bureau.
The taking OF the census has pro-
ceeded with promptness and eff
cheney. The secretary believes, and
l concur. that II will be more thor
which has heretofore been taken, but
il is not perfect.
Bureau OF Corporations.
The commissioner OF corporations
has just completed the fret part OF a
report on the lumber industry In the
United States. This part does not
treat OF the question of a trust or
combination in the manufacture of
lumber, subject to be dealt with
later. The commissioner does find.
however, \ condition in the owner
ship of the standing timber of the
United States other than the govern
ment timber. that calls for serious
attention.
Burean Of Labor.
The commissioner of labor has been
actively engaged In composing the diff
ferences between employers and en-
ployes engaged in interstate Transport
tatfon. under the Erdman act. Jointly
with the chairman of the interstate
commerce commission. can not speak
In too high terms of the success OF
these two officers In Cancellation and
settlement of controversies which. but
for their interposition. would have re-
suited disastrously to all interests.
Eight-HOur Law. :
Since 1868 It has been the declared
purpose III tHlB government TO- IANOI
the movement for an eight-hour day
by provision Of law that none Of
the employees employed by or on be-
half OF the government should work
longer than eight hours In every
twenty-four. The first declaration OF
this view was not accompanied with
any penal CLAUSE and with mo- pro-
vision for It's enforcement. and, though
President Grant by . proclamation
twice attempted to give 1t his sanction
and to require the officers OF the gov
eminent to carry II out. the purpose
OF the trainers OF the law was uiti-
mately defeated by decision Of tho
as drawn was merely Z direction OF
the government 10 ~ agents and did
not invAlldate 4 contract made in be-
halt Of the eovorpnneAt which provided