The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-19

The September number OF the National
Civic Federation Review is devoted to a
description OF the federation's movement
IN the interest of national unity, which
grew out of the national conference on
the subject of uniform legislation" held
in Washington last January.
That conference was called for the pur-
pose OF developing the universally OF
the need FOR greater harmony between
the States and better coordination be-
tween the States and the Federal gov
eminent on legislative matters; and to
take practical steps to meet the stu
alton.
The Review says in part:
The prominence given the past few
years to the question OF national versus
State regulation. beginning with the noted
No State can live Gnto itself utterance
OF Secretary Root before the Pennsyl-
vania Society and continuing interrupt
eddy 10 the recent heated discussion on
conservation at st. Paul. gives partic-
ular emphasis at this time 10 the move
Hent for national unity now being pro-
NOTED by the National Civic Federation.
EafOr FcucruI control.
while. 10 the lay mind. there would
seem TO be an irreconcilable conflict be-
tween those who urge the Capitalization
OF power in the Federal government AT
Washington and those who would en-
large the powers OF the States. yet when
the arguments of the leaders of the two
schools Of thought are analysed they
H.
each side favors the Federal control OF
those subjects which are interstate and
the State control of those which are in
trastate. Their disagreement relates 10
the disposition OF those matters which
Mr.. Bryan has said belong In the twi-
light zone where the line or demarca-
ton is indistinct.
In fact when one reads the utterances
of President Taft, Col Roosevelt. Sem
ator Root. Gov. Hughes. Gov. Blanch-
ard, Alton B. Parker. Samuel Gompers,
z. r. A. seligman. and others-which
Will be found in this Review-it is easy
TO conclude that the vital point in this
great question to-day is What, in the
interest OF public welfare, can be better
controlled by the Federal government
and what by the States?'
Question of Taxation.
When It comes 20 such question as
taxation-especially the general property
and personal tax-compensation for acct
dents occurring 20 employees In the plants,
mines. and factories OF the nation; regl-
ulation of quasi-municipal utilities, regu-
lation Of the thousands OF State banks,
savings banks. trust companies. building
and loan associations. life and FIRE in
surance. good roads building, child labor,
prison made goods. arbitration and medi-
alton in industrial disputes. and hundreds
OF other subjects. the States alone, under
our present form OF government, must
have control.
True. the Constitution can be amended
II the people so will, and a bill was in
PRODUCED by Congressman Madden, of
Chicago, at the last session OF Congress
authorizing the submission OF an amend
ment 10 the Constitution which would
confer upon Congress the power 10 leg
islate upon almost every conceivable ~
10 which flesh is heir-poiitical, economic, !
and sociological physical and metaphysi-
eal-but II is not probable that it will be
treated seriously. There Is, however, |
much sentiment In commercial and in |
d"strial circles to-day that, impatient of !
the conflicting restraints imposed upon
business by the various State laws. is
naturally turaing 20 the Federal govern |
ment for relief
All OF which means. as is well stated /
by several writers in this issue OF the
Review, that unless the States are
aroused TO do their full duty there is
danger Of this impotence resulting in an |
enlargement OF Federal powers that will |
ultimately break down the central gov |
eminent"