The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-01-17
Noted New York Jurist Addresses Contention
on Uniform State s--Many Dangers from
Pressing Uniformity to Extreme : Climate
and DiuersifcatiOn of Interests Oppose
IT, Tax Enforcement Causes
More Complaint.

Washington, Jan. lit were un
wise to think of absolute uniformity
of legislation throughout the United
States, in the opinion of Alton B. Par
ker as expressed today in an address
before the convention on uniform
state laws.
I'VE do not aim at absolute uni
formity of law, but wise an conser
yative uniformity" said Judge Par
ker. There is danger in pressing
uniformity to extreme lengths. There
are diversities of climate, of produc
tion, of tradition, of heredity, Of popu
lation. Of pursuits among the people
of our several commonwealths which
should be generally respected.
Uniformity should be promoted
along the lines marked out by the
commissioners on uniform laws. and as
much further as the diversities tc
which | have referred will reasonably
permit.
"a movement has recently been in
augurated to make each industry
bear the burden of accident to EN-
ployes, without regard to the question
of negligence, upon the ground that
such burden is properly part Of the
cost of the product. It has been ac-
cepted as founded on sound business
and put in operation by
some employers already who recog.
nize that otherwise great unfairness
often results in casting upon the EN-.
ployee and. his family the entire bur
den of accident Legislation In Eng
land and Germany thus provides for
the compensation to be paid to injur-
ed employees. The English statute
provides for compensation during dis
ability, equal to fifty per cent of the
wage rate, and In case of death OF
total disability, a sum equal to -four
years wages. Surely this country
ought to lag behind those enlightened
nations in righting what Is now the
most monstrous injustice Of the age
Nevertheless that is likely to happen
unless there be uniform legislation in
many, If not all, the states on the
subject. For in the absence of a gen
eral movement for uniform legislation
New Jersey, for instance, would hesi
tiate to place her contractors at a dis
advantage In competing with New
York contractors.
"From this convention now assem-
bled representing, not one or many
but all the civic interests of each and
all of the states, there should go out
an authoritative expression in favor
o. uniform legislation IN so far as II
is conducive to the common veal Lei
us strive to promote unity in diversity
unity in all that touches in like
manner the internal affairs of the
communities separated by state lines
diversity in those particulars which
are peculiar to each commonwealth. !
Judge Parker thus closed his ad
dress after having reviewed in detail
the complicated relations between
state and national governments. II
this respect he said
sLatterly complaints have arisen oi
inediciency resulting from the division
es powers between the federal and
the state governments. It is said, de
pending upon the point Of view, thai
some states grant charters which are
far too broad, while others go to the
opposite extreme. That in some
states the law has not been enforced
against disobedient corporations and
their officers. while IN others the ten
dency is to presume them guilty of 3
desire to violate all law, written OF
nnwritten.
The public complaint for the pres
ent is more generally that the states
have been lax In the enforcement o.
law. with most disastrous conse
auences. The charge Of neglect mus
be admitted by all who appreciate
that every one Of the corporations
now struggling for life was created
in the face Of the law under whiel
they are now prosecuted-a law whieI
by reason Of its deliberate non-en