Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-10-15

MeDL u kuS WMSSTWaJ5 fOIuHtSolOu
was In accordance with the Idea al
ready formulated in the minds Of
members OF the house and senate
hat the plan of improving our rivers
and harbors should be conducted In
more systematic and busfness-like
manner than formerly. 1t might be-
more difncult to impress people ia
many sections of the country with
The Importance of this than II ought
o be 10 impress the people OF West
Virginia Already concrete legislation
las been passed in that direction
worth many millions OF dollars annu-
ally TO the trade and advancement Of
our state. The complete development
Of the Ohio river at a nine-foot stage
has already been authorized by law
Il will BE- completed as rapidly as an
engineering work OF that magnitude
can be executed The value to those
sections OF the state tributary 10 the
and the Monongahela rivers is meal
culable Senators Elkins and Scott.
Congressman woodward OF the rivers
and harbors committee, Messrs.
Hughes. Hubbard and Sturgiss. are
all entitled TO the greatest credit not
only for the general plan, but for
West Virginia's particular good for
.une In the selection of projects for
immediate construction Personally,
[ feel that this canalIzation of the
Ohio is Of as much Importance TO the
Kanawha river as its own improve
ment.
Progressive Labor Legislation.
The passage OF the government EN-
ployers' liability bill marks a distinct
advance as recognition by the fed
erai government of its duty to those
laboring men who are in It's own EN-
ploy
The necessity of child labor legis-
lation under modern industrial condi-
tons has long been apparent to
everybody. The problem presents,
however, almost insuperable dificul-
ties Properly to protect children
without unduly invading the author
fly of the home and without positive
ly injuring the children IL a difficulty
almost insurmountable. Poor chill
dren must live. and their physical,
mental and moral growth must not
be permitted to be stunted The pas
sage. therefore, of a child labor law
for the District OF Columbia, and as
model for other legislative bodies,
by the congress preceding the pres
emf one, furnishes striking example
OF advanced and progressive legisla-
ton.
When congress adjourned early
this summer it was true that more
had been accomplished by legisla-
tive and executive energy during the
first sixteen months of President
Tafts administration than at any
other similar period In our history.
In fact II any congress may venture
comparison with the present con
1t must be some recent congress,
when If | may be permitted to say
so, both senators and almost all the
representatives of this state were
members.
A Summary of Legislation.
President Taft in speech deliver
ed before the National Republican
league in New York on Oct. /. gave
the following brief summary OF the
legislation of the last session Of con
gress:
The powers of the interstate com
merce commission were enlarged.
new court of commerce was pro-
vided, in order that shippers and
railways might secure prompt de-
cisions
Railway employees were protected
by new safety appliance law,
The employers liability act was
perfected
An inquiry into workingmen's com
pensation for injuries received was
instituted.
An inquiry into the issuance OF
railway stocks and bonds was in
augurated
A new customs court was establish
ed
A postal savings bank system was
authorized.
A corporation tax was adopted. and
new and effective method of assist
ing the government in supervising
corporations
Two battleshlps were added to the
navy.
A bureau of mines was established.
Seventy million acres of the public
domain were legally withdrawn from
entry.
Twenty million dollars in bonds
was authorized to complete reclama-
ton projects.
Enlarged appropriations were made
to survey public lands
A definite commitment was made
against the "piecemeal" or pork
barrel" system OF river and harbor
improvements.
New Mexico and Arizona were ad-
vanced toward statehood
A peace commission was author