New-York tribune., 1910-01-20
SUGGEST REFORMS
UNIFORM LAWS ONE.
Resolutions at CiJic Fedora
TONS Final Session.

Washington, JAN l9-Agreeing that there
should be uniformity in state laws affect
ing not only commercial affairs but also
those which pertain TO the weIIbeing OF
the individual the Civic Federation at its
final session to-day adopted a number of
resolutions. Among them were those rec
ommending to the governors the adoption
of uniform laws for the protection OF chill
dren employed in industries: favoring
uniform insurance code for adoption by the
states, and uniform legislation on the sub
Ject Of gathering and preservation OF vital
statistics; indorsing the conservation OF
American forests and referring the same
TO the comnitte on uniform state laws
The conference also adopted a resolution
recommending to the governors now meet
ing in this city and 10 the states them
selves that workmeu's compensation acts.
fair to the employer and empioye and just
TO the state be uniformly substituted for
the present system of employers liability
for injuries received in and arising out OF
the course of employment a resolution
was passed recommending to the states
consideration Of the development of water
power and the regulation OF on-navigabIe
streams, with view to bringing about uni
fornity of state regulation looking 10 CO.
operation between the states and the fed
eral government in the development and
control OF water powers.
The conference authorized the appoint
ment OF committee OF fifteen on reform
in legal procedure for the purpose of CO.
operating with the committee of the Amer
lean Bar Association TO suggest remedies
and formulate proposed laws TO prevent
unnecessary delay in litigation.
Thanks were voted to President Taft for
his interest in the convention; to the gov
ernors for their courtesy in giving place
upon their programme to the committee
of the federation. and to Senator Root for
his address.
Governor Eberhardt of Minnesota was ar
unexpected speaker at the afternoon ses-
sion.
so long as food is necessary to human
life" he said, agriculture must remain
the most vital and important industry OF
man, and the farm viii be the most gen
eraI and indispensable theatre of his activ-
ity. The conservation movement extends
not only TO the protection and development
of forests. mines and water powers and the
control Of rivers by reservoirs SO as TO pre-
vent flooding, but also 10 the elimination of
wasteful methods, such as continual single
cropping. robbing the soil Of nutritive ele-
nlents. expensive methods Of transporta-
as result in loss of energy, health and life
Martin S. Decker. Of New York. president
Of the Association OF American Railway
Commissioners. urged uniformity in the
regulation Of public utilities because of the
vast benefits TO be derived not only by CAPT
tai, but the operations in which capital is
involved.
Charles T. Terry spoke in favor Of uni
form laws for the regulation OF motor
vehicles and presented draft OF a pro-
posed uniform state motor vehicle Law,
which he offered, he said, not necessarily
as a perfect law but simply as the basis OF
an effort at uniformity.
In taking leave OF the delegates, previous
70 the final adjournment, ex-Judge Parker
said he had taken as his theme the topic
Of his welcoming address TO the American
Bar Association, AT Saratoga, Uniformity
in State Laws" He had seen that lawyers
could not give the subject any great
momentum, and he thought il would De
good thing 10 get all the people interested.
And the results OF this meeting" he said
cannot fail 10 be farreaching. They have
been more than were ever contemplated by
the most enthusiastic among US. ACCEPT
my deep appreciation for the service YOU
have rendered your communities by your
presence here, and be assured that the
work thus begun will be carried on by will
ing hands,