New-York tribune., 1911-09-11
PLANS LIBRARY Of LAWSI
Secretary to Bring Matter Be-
fore Conference of Governors.
WOULD SPREAD GOOD IDEAS
Matters Foremost in Various
States Will Come Before Meet
ing at Spring Lake, N. ].

Spring Lake, y. j.. Sept. i0.-A library or
laws. embracing every statute on the books
of every state in the Union, and TO be re-
penished annually with the multitudinous
enactments Of the forty-six legislatures.
fresh from the hands Of the makers. VIII
spring into being as the result of the an
nual conference OF governors beginning here
on Tuesday if the present programme OF
William George Jordan the secretary.
meets with the success which he believes
II will.
This is not a mere theory" Mr.. Jordan
declared. 1t is an actual. clearly defined,
systematized and practical method which
has been working on small scale for the
last eight months. With a perfected or
ganization. sufficient funds contributed ny
all the states. and headquarters and library.
II will contain every state report document
and law. and will be the one place in the
country where every important activity OF
every state will be almost automatically
registered in the secretary's office ana
good law or any good idea in one state VIII
be brought to the attention OF all the
others"
The plan also includes making permanent
and continuous the conference. This, II Is
planned. will be done by means of the cen
tral bureau. whose secretary VIII anord
quick means of communication among the
various state executives at their capitals
The bureau would also act as a clearing
house Of information among the states AT
times when the conference was not actu-
ally i'm session Mr.. Jordan plans that'
should occasion warrant. bulletins will also
be issued on important legislation, enacted
or pending, during the year.
Comprehensive Programme Arranged
This is only one item, however I'm the
longest and most comprehensive pro
gramme attempted by the executives az
any. time since their first gathering four
years ago Matters foremost In the Narl-
Gus states will he discussed, such as the
question of the regulation Of public utlntN
corporations. employers liability, the III
hertance tax question, prison labor ana
strengthening of the executives power
The question Of uniform divorce laws may
also be brought before the gathering
State control of public utility corpora
tions. employers liability and workingmen's 5
compensation are to have fun days dis
cussion each. A half day will also be de-
voted to a discussion Of the rights of the
state TO fix intrastate traffic rates. TINS
will be led by an address from Governor
Herbert 5. Hadley OF Missouri
Governor francis T. McGovern OF Wis
consin is down on the programme for the
principal address OF the state control ot
public utilities. Governor Beryl +. Carrol
of Iowa was also slated 10 talk on TINS sun
iect, but will be unable to attend. Governor
Eugene y. FoSs Of Massachusetts VIII open
the discussion on employers liability ara
workngmen's compensation, while a paper
by Governor Oswald West of oregon AMI
another by Governor Chase ). Osborn OF
Michigan will take up the problems OF
prison labor. Governors John \. DIX OF
New York and Edmund +. Noel Of Missls-
sppi are on the programme for discussion
of the Inheritance tax and state comfy
The conference will bring together Gov
ernor Harmon Of Ohio and Governor VIII
son of New Jersey. the two Democrats
most prominently mentioned for the Demo-
cratic nominate for President next year.
and Governors Baldwin Of Connecticut and
Foss of Massa chusetts. who are looked upon
as likely candidates for the nomination for
Vice President. Letters have been received
from Governors Marshall Of Indiana and
Kitchin of North Carolina regrettinG that
they cannot attend because the legislatures
of these states had not shown enough in
terest in the conference to make an appro-
priation for II.
Governor Charles +. Dcneen Of Illinois,
who was TO have opened the discussion on
employers liability and workingmens com
pensation. has also sent word tnat he Will
be unable to come, a broken leg, the result
cf an automobile accident. keeping him
al home. An attack of appendicitis VIII
prevent Governor Oddie of Nevada from
taking part in the conference. Governor
Oddie formerly lived in New Jersey and
Rad looked forward TO the trip with much
Measure