The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-07

there is very extensive interoWnership OF
stock. as well as other circumstances. all
pointing 10 friendly relations among those
who own a majority OF this timber, re-
lationship which might lead TO COM
bfuation for the maintenance Of a price
that would be very detrimental to the
public interest, and would create the
necessity Of removing all tariff obstacles
to the free importations Of lumber from
other countries"
AS 10 limitations Of the enforcement of
the eight-hOur law, the Presidents views
are:
IT seems TO me from the past history
that the government has been committed
10 a policv OF encouraging the limitation
OF the days work TO eight hours in all
works Of construction initiated by itself,
and it seems 10 me illogical 10 maintain
a difference between government work
done on government soil and government
work done In a private establishment
hen the work Is OF such large dimen-
sions and involves the expenditure or
much labor for a considerable period, so
that the private manufacturer may ad-
lust himself and his establishment 10
the special terms Of employment that he
must make with his workmen for TINS
particular Job. To require, however. that
every small contract OF manufacture en-
tered into by the government should be
carried out by the contractor with men
working eight hours would be to impose
an intolerable burden upon the govern
ment BY limiting its sources OF supply
| and excluding altogether the great ma
| jOrity Of those who would Otherwise
compete for its business.
Wants Clearer Law.
IT recommend that instead Of enacting
the proposed bill, the aeaning Of which
is not clear and definite and might De
given a construction embarrassing to the
public interest. the present act be en-
largcd 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 manufactured in private yards or
factories.
zone Of the great difficulties in inforc-
! ing this eight-hour law is that its appli-
cation under certain emergencies be-
/ comes exceedingly oppressive, and there
/ is a great temeptatiOn TO subordinate Of
ficiaIs to evade it, I think that it would
be wiser TO allow the President, by ex-
ecutive order. 10 declare an emergency IN
special instances in which the Limitation
might not apply, and IN such cases. TO
permit the payment by the government
Of extra compensation for the time work
ed each day in excess of eight hours. l
may add that my suggestions in respect
TO this legislation have the fun concur
renee of the Commissioner of Labor.
In view OF the keen, widespread in
terest now felt IN the United states IN a
system Of compensation for industrial ac-
cidents TO supplant our present thorough
~ unsatisfactory system of employers
liability "a subject the Importance of
which Congress has already recognized
by the appointment Of a commissiOn), /
recommend that the International Con-
gTess on Industrial Insurance be invited
to hold its meeting in 1913 in Washington.
and thar an appropriation OF $4,000 be
made 10 cover the necessary expenses OF
organizing and carrying on the meeting.
The President is opposed TO increasing
the number of buildings or force of en-
ployes at the Ellis Island immigration
station. He says if the immigrants are
landed at other ports. their admission to
this country will be expedited and a
more even distribution win follow.
Under the heading of miscellaneous
cluded in the departmental reports are
made. Some OF these follow:
FavOrs Health bureau.
A bureau Of health, embracing all gov
eminent agencies outside the War and
Navy departments and looking to the
preservation OF public health. is urged
That such a step would be in the inter-
est of particular school Of medicine. as
has been asserted by opponents or the
bureau, IS untrue and the agitation IN
warranted. the message says.
Progress on the Imperial Valley project.
for which the expenditure Of $1,000, 900
was authorized 20 prevent damages from
the overflow of the Colorado River, is
reported. The work is being examined,
and it will be necessary to obtain author
ity from Mexico to begin operations on
The territory OF that country
The President again urges that claims
of deposltOrs in the Freedmen's Bank
be recognized and paid by the passage of
the pending bin on that subject
Regarding the railroad bill enacted at
the last session Of Congress, the message
says:
There has not been time to test the
benefit and utility OF the amendments to
the interstate commerce law contained
in the act approved June is, 1910 The
law as enacted did not contain all the
features which 1 recommended. II did
not specifically denounce as unlawful the
purchase by one of two parallel and COM
peting roads of the stock of the other
Nor did it subject 10 the restraining in
fiuenee Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission the power of corporations en-
gagged in operating interstate railroads
to issue new stock and bonds: nor did Il
authorize the making of temporary agree
ments between railroads, limited TO thirty
days. fixing the same rates for traffic
between the same places
II do not press the consideration Of