Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-03


Numerous special investigations, Of
fcial and unofficial, have revealed con-
ditlons in more than one industry
which have Immediately been recog-
nized on all sides as entirely out of
harmony with accepted American
standards. 1t is probable that to a
great extent the remedies for these
conditions. SO far as the remedies in
vofVe legislation, lie in the field Of
state action. But such a comprehen-
siVe inquiry as is necessary to furnish
a basis for intelligent action must be
undertaken on national Initiative and
must be nation wide in Its scope. In
view of the results that have followed
the activities Of the federal govern
ment in education. in agriculture and
In other fields which do not lie prlmar-
lily within the field Of federal legisla-
ton there can be no serious argument
against the proprIety or the wisdom
Of an inquiry by the federal govern
ment into the general conditions Of
labor In the United States. notwith-
standing the fact that some of the
remedies will lie with the separate
states or even entirely outside the
sphere Of governmental activity in the
hands of private individuals and Of
voluntary agencies. One legitimate
object of such an official Investigation
and report is to enIighten and inform
public opinion, which Of itself will
often induce or compel the reform Of
unjust conditions or the abatement Of
unreasonable demands.
The special investigations that have
been made of recent industrial con.
ditionS, whether private or official,
have been fragmentary, incomplete
and at best only partially representa-.
tive or typical. Their lessons, never
theless, are important, and until some.
thing comprehensive and adequate is
available they serve a useful purpose,
and they will necessarily continue to
be made. But unquestionabIy the time
is now ripe for a searching inquiry
into the subject Of Industrial relations
which shall be official, authoritative
balanced and well rounded, such as
only the federal government can sue
cessfully undertake. The present wide
spread interest in the subject makes
this an opportune time for an invest
cation, which in any event cannot long
be postponed. 1t should be nonpar
tisan, comprehensive, thorough, pa
tient and courageous.
/ There is already available much in
/ formation on certain aspects of the
subject in the reports of the fedora
and state bureaus Of labor and in 9th
er official and unofficial publications
One essential part Of the proposed in
| Quiry would naturally be to assemble
/ digest and interpret this information
so far as it bears upon our present in
dustrial conditions. In addition Il
this the commission should inquire int
the general conditions of labor In oul
principal Industries, into the existing
relations between employers and EN-
| ployees in those industries. into the va
rious methods which have been tried
for maintaining mutually satisfactory
relations between employees and EN-
ployers and for avoiding or adjusting
trade disputes, and into the scope
/ methods and resources of federal anC
state bureaus Of labor and the meth
DDS by which they might more ade
quately meet the responsibilities which
through the work Of the commission
above recommended would be MOI
clearly brought to light and defined.
Misbranding Imported Goods.
Ny attention has been called to tn
injustice which is done in this countr,
by the sale Of articles In the trade pur
porting to be made in Ireland, whel
they are not so made, and 1t is suggest
ed that the justice Of the enactment o
law which, so far as the jurisdiction
Of the federal government can GO
would prevent a continuance of thi
Misrepresentation to the public an'
fraud upon those who are entitled t
use the statement in the sale of thei
goods. l think it to be greatly in tn
interest OF fair dealing, which ough
always to be encouraged by law, 70
congress to enact a law making it {
misdemeanor punishable by fine or i'm
prisonment to use the mails or to pu
into interstate commerce any article
Of merchandise which bear upon thei
face a statement that they have beer
manufactured in some particular coun
try when the fact is otherwise
Building For Public Archives.
l cannot close this message withou
Inviting the attention Of congress agaiI
to the necessity for the erection of s
building to contain the public archives
The unsatisfactory distribution of rec
ords. the lack Of any proper index Of
guide to their contents, is well known
to those familiar with the needs Of this
government in this capital. The LAND
has been purchased, and nothing re
mains now hut the erection of a proper
building ! transmit a letter writer
By Professor j. Franklin Jameson. di
rector Of the department of historical
research Of the Carnegie institution OF
Washington, in which he speaks upon
this subject as a member Of commit
tee appointed by the executive council
of the American Historical association
TO bring the matter to the attention Of
the president and congress.
VIM. q. TAFT.
The White House, Feb. 2, 1912, 4
Ia
LITERARY FREAKS. 81