The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-08-07

scented them. Now my proposal is
merely that we shall give 10 the people
;he power, to be used not wantonly but
only I'm exceptional cases. themselves
70 see TO It that the governmental ac-
ton taken In their name Is really the
action that they desire.
People and Courts.
The American people. and not the
courts, are TO determine their own
fundamental policies. Means should De
devised for making IL easier than at
present 10 get rid OF an incompetent
Judge means should be devised by the
bar and the bench acting In conjunction
with the various legislative bodies 70
make justice far more expeditions ana
more certain than at present
Whenever in our Constitutional sys-
tenn of government there exist general
prohibition that. as interpreted by the
courts. nullify, OF may be used TO null
lily. specific laws passed, and admit
tedly passed. in the interest OF social
justice. we are for such immediate law.
or amendment to the Constitution, IL
that be necessary. as will thereafter
permit a reference TO the people OF the
public effect OF such decision, under
forms securing full deliberation, to the
end that the specific act of the legisla-
tive branch of the government thus
tudiciallY nulllhed. and such amend
mentS thereof as come within it's scope
ana purpose, may constitutioually be
excepted By vote OF the people from
the general prohibitions, the same )
" that particular act had been eN-
pressly excepted when the prohibition
was adopted. This Will necessitate the
establishment of machinery for making
much easier of amendment both the
national ana the several state consti-
tutions. especially with the view OF
prompt action on certain judicial de-
cisions--action az specific and limited
as that taken by the passage Of the
Eleventh Amendment TO the National
Constitution We are not In this decry-
ing the courts. That was reserved for
the Chicago convention In its plank
respecting Impeachment, impeach-
ment implies the proof OF dishonesty.
Ave do not question the general
honesty OF the courts. But in applying
to present-day social conditions the
general prohibitions that were intended
originally as safrG yards to the citizen
against the arbitrary power OF govern
ment In the han as of caste and privi-
lege, these prohibitions have been
turned by the courts from safeguards
against political and social privilege
into barriers against political and
social justice and advancement cur
purpose is not to impugn the courts.
but TO emancipate them from position
where they stand lin the way OF soclal
justice; and to Cmancipate the people.
In an orderly way, from the iniquity Of
enforced submission to doctrine
which would turn Constitutional pro-
visions which were Intended to faNpr
prohibitions against such justice and
advancement
Tn the last twenty years an increas-
ing percentage of our people have
como to depend on Industry FOR their
livelihood. so that to-day the wage
workers in industry rank In imDor-
lance size by side with the tillers OF
the soil. As people we cannot afford
to let any group OF citizens or any indi-
vidunl citizCn i've or labor under con-
ditions which ere injurious to the CONF
mon welfare Industry. therefore, must
submit 20 such public regulation. rs
will make u "A means OF life and health,
not OF death or intfhciencY We must
protect the crushing elements at the
b. Sc OF our present Industrial struc-
turC
The public needs have been well sum
married as follows
/ We hold that the public has "A
right 10 complete knowledge Of the
facts OF work.
2 on the basis OF these facts and
With the recent discoveries OF physi-
clans and neurologists, engineers and
economists. the public can formulate
min imum occupa tional standards below
which, demonstrably. work can be
prosecuted only at human deficit
3. In the third place, we hold that
all industrial conditions which fall be.
low such standards should come within
the scope OF governmental action and
control In the same way that subpor-
mai sanitary CONDITIONS are subject 10
public regulation and for the same
rea son-hecause they threaten the gen
eral welfare. n
To TIA first end we hold that tho
constituted authorities should he en-
powered 10 require all employers TO file
with them for public purposes SUCH
wage scales and other data as the pub
lie element In Industry demands The
movement for honest weights and
measures has Its counterpart IN indus
try All tallies. scales. and check sys-
TENS should oe open TO public inspec
tion and inspection OF committees o:
the workers concerned. All deaths. in
turies, and diseases due to Industrial
operation should he reported 20 p1blic
authorities.
To the second ord, we hold that mini
mum wage comm ssions should be Cs-
tablished In the nation and I'm each
state TO inquire into wages paid in
various industries and TO determine th,I
standard which the public ought 10
sanction ~ n minimum. and we believe
that. 80 present installment OF what
we hone for In the future. there should
he az once established IN the nation and
its several states minimum standa rds
for the wages OF women. taking tie
nresent Massa chusetts Law "a a hs SIS
from which TO start and on which 20
improve We pledge the federal gov
eminent TO an lnvesti CATION OF indus
tries along the lines pursued by the
Bureau OF Mines with The Niow ta-ss-
taBIIshIng STANDARDS OF sanitation and
safety. we call for the Standardization,
trr-sfeta agreement or the establish
rnent % federal standard We stand
for the passive or legislation IN tho
nation AMI IN nj states providing
standards 81 compensation FOR indus
trial accidents and death. and for dis