Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06

the exceptions which 1t makes to con-
tracts for transportation by land or
water. for the transmission Of intelligence
and for such materials or articles as
may usually be bought in the open
market, whether made to conform to
particular specification or not, or for
eminent. whether manufactured to con-
form to particular specifications or
not"
Recommends Enlarging Present Law
recommend that instead of enacting
the proposed bill, the meaning of
which Is not clear and definite and
might be given a construction embar-
RAISING to the public interest, the
present act be enlarged by providing
that public works, shall be construed
to include not only buildings and work
upon public ground, but also ships,
armor and large guns when manufac-
tured in private yards or factories.
forcing this eight-hour law is that its
application under certain emergencies
becomes exceedingly oppressive and
there Is a great temptation to subor-
dinate officials to evade 1T. l think
that it would be wiser to allow the
President. by executive order. to de-
clare an emergency in special instances
in which the Limitation might not ap-
ply and, in such cases. to permit the
payment by the government OF extra
compensation for the time worked each
day in excess of eight hours l may
add that my suggestions in respect to
this legislation have the full concur
renee Of the commissioner of labor.
Workmen's Compensation.
In view of the keen. widespread inter-
est now felt in the United States In a sys-
tenn of compensation for industrial acci-
dents to supplant our present thoroughly
unsatisfactory system of employers la
bility "a subject the importance OF wnlcn
Congress has already recognized by the
appointment OF commission, recoin-
mend that the International congress on
industrial insurance be invited to hold It's
meeting in 1913 in Washington. and that
an appropriation Of $4,000 be made TO
cover the necessary expenses OF organiz-
ing and carrying on the meeting.
Bureau Of immigration.
The immigration into this country 10
increasing each year. A large part OF 1t
comes through the immigrant station at
Ellis Island In the city of New York. An
examination of the station and the meth
DDS pursued satisfies me that dimcult
task Is there performed by the commits
sioner and his force with common sense,
the strictest fairness, and with the most
earnest desire to enforce the law equita-
bly, and mercifully. 1t has been proposed
to enlarge the accommodations so as to
allow more Of the immigrants to come by
that port. I do not think it wise policy
to do this. I have no objection tom the
contrary, I recommend-the construction
of additional buildings for the purpose OF
facilitating closer and more careful ex-
animation of each immigrant as he comes
in. but deprecate the enlargement OF
the buildings and of the force for the pur-
pose Of permitting the examination sof
more immigrants per day than are now
examined. II it is understood that no
more immigrants can be taken In at New
York than are now taken IN, and the
steamship companies thus are given a
reason and a motive for transferring i'm
fident that they will be better distributed
through the country and that there will
not be that congestion in the city OF New
York which does not make for the better
condition Of the immigrant or increase
his usefulness as a new member of this
community. Everything which tends to
send the immigrants west and south into
rural life helps the country.
concur with the Secretary in his
recommendations as to the amendments
to the immigration law in increasing the
fine against the companies for violation
of the regulations. and in giving greater
more care on the part of the steamship
companies in accepting immigrants. The
Recommendation of the Secretary In
which he urges that the law may be
amended so as to discourage the separa-
ton Of families is, think, q good one.