Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-18
Some Things You Want to Know
Conservation and civics.

Today the house Of governors and the
national civil federation will begin their
meetings in Washington, and part OF their
deliberations will be in the form Of joint
sessions. This partial union Of two OF the
leading forces in current American thought
may presage an effective answer to the
plea that the power OF the central govern
ment oDght to be extended, and those Of
the state c-orrespondingly curtailed. Those
who have entered this plea assert that the
states have been weighed in the balance
and found wanting in handling many Of
the problems over which they claim ex-
elusive Jurisdiction, and that, therefore,
whether by judicial interpretation or con-
stitutional amendment, the central gov
eminent ought to be given power in these
things.
1t is expected that the meetings Of the
house OF governors will result in the
states coming into closer harmony, and
that II viii hasten the day when uniform
legislation throughout the union will rob
the contenders for more federal authority
OF their point. Already the movement for
uniformity, especially in those instances
where the laws Of one state intimately
touch the people OF another state, such as
negotiable instrument laws, divorce laws
and warehouse receipt laws, has been
widely extended. and II is expected that
the recommendations of the house Of gov
errors will have weight with the various
legislatures, resulting in 9 further ex-
tension of this movement.
The members OF the civic federation had
planned to meet earlier, but as soon as
they heard that the governors were go
ing to meet at this time they concluded
to postpone their sessions in order to get
in touch with them. They know that most
of the governors will soon be writing mes
sages to the legislatures, and they are glad
of this opportunity to get their IDEAS be-
fore the men who have the authority to
make legislative recommendations. The
civic federation will be a truly representa-
tive body. In its deliberations labor will
sit beside capital, men Of letters beside
men of business and governors beside the
governed.
The Civic Federation believes that in
these twentieth century times the states
should no more live to themselves than do
individuals, and that today all legislation
should be passed In the interest of the fam
lily OF states, rather than to the advantage
OF single members of that family. 1t is
argued that when may be, legally speak
AhBg SlllCAA1 lIdAIS are, DIdCIlCdlIN
speaking. OF as much Interstate concern as
those that are dealt with by congress itself.
1t is claimed that in many respects the
common life of the country has grown to
the point of needing uniform legislation by
groups of states. IL not by all the states.
1t is represented that conservation will re-
main little more than a theory unless the
states adopt uniform laws relating to for
estry. water-power and irrigation. Like
wise. 1t is urged that congress can enact
antitrust legislation and amend the Sher-
mar law until its members' heads are as
white as snow. and still 1t will fail in its
endeavor unless tho state antitrust laws
are made in conformity. The Interstate
Commerce commission, it is asserted. car
issue orders from now until doomsday, and
stih traffic conditions and financial mat
ters will not be satisfactory unless the
states adopt railroad regulation to conform
with federal requirements.
Banking circles want uniform banking
laws, insurance. companies are begging fol
uniform Insurance laws, wholesale grocers
and druggists are appealing for uniform
pure food laws. labor Organizations are
asking for Uniform labor laws. The med.
Zeal profession is seeking uniformity OF reg.
istration and preservation of vital salts les
and automobilists are asking for uniform
legislation on the regulation Of motor We
hicles, In fact, the whole business worlC
is asking for uniform business laws in al
the states.
To consider this widespread desire fol
uniformity, and to promote 1t wherever
feasible, is the main purpose of the meet
ing OF the Civic Federation. 1t will there
fore fit perfectly into the plans of tn,
house OF governors. When the two bodies
get through with their deliberations. ant
formulate their conclusions in definite res
~olut!ons, it is generally felt that a new
epoch in American history will be begun
which will result in the states, separat,
! commemorative in theory, becoming one IL
: practice, in so far as the important law
! on their statute books are concerned. TIL
/; plans of the house of governors and o
the Civic Federation with reference to har
monious and uniform legislation will dove
- tail into the plans of the American Bar as
q ISOLATION, and altogether they will consti
q tute one OF the most formidable movement
9 for a specific. purpose that the country ha
A ever seen.