Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-06
TO PREVENT HUMAN WASTE
STATESMAN'S FIRST DUTY
Suggestions for Insuring Labor's
Rights and Bettering It's Condition.
STRIKES OUT INTO NEW FIELD
Declares That the Cause Will
Triumph in the End Even
Though Failure May At
tend This Fight.

CHICAGO. August 6.-Theodore Roose-
welt made his confession of faith to-
day to the national progressive conven-
ton. The former President struck out
boldly into new ground, advocating mes s.
ures Which he said frankly would be de-
nounced as either socialism or anarchy.
The delegates listened to his speech with
the understanding that they must either
adopt platform substantially in conso-
| nance with his views or look elsewhere
for nominee for the presidency.
Recall of judicial decisions, as first ad-
vocated by Col Roosevelt in the spring
campaign. and for which he was subject
ed to wide criticism is again urged. Col.
Roosevelt now advocates its extension to
apply to federal as well as state courts.
He favors the establishment of machinery
to make easier of amendment both the
national and state constitutions. espe-
cially with the view of prompt action on
certain judicial decisions
Use of the government to assist work
men to become part owners of the bus-
ness in which they are employed is ad-
vocated.
The government system should be
shaped SO that 1.-The public servant, when
he cannot conscientiously carry out the
wishes of the people. shall at their de-
sire leave his Office and not misrepresent
them in Office
Col Roosevelt did not suggest the meth
od by which he would bring this about.
and there was much speculation as to
whether he had in mind a fundamental
change in the American system of gov
ernment In some quarters it was inter-
preted as a declaration in favor of ex-
tension of the recall to include legislative.
executive and judicial Officers of the ~na-
tiOna1 government from the President
down.
Lays Down Plan of Battle.
He struck a keynote for his followers
and supporters In the new party. 1t laid
down the plan Of battle to be waged by the
national progressive party. He discussed
his views under twelve subdivisions,
namely, The Helplessness of the Old Par
ties; The Right of the People to Rule;
The Courts and the People; Constructive
Control of the Trusts: Rights of the
Wage-worker; The Farmer; The Tariff;
The High Cost of Living: Currency: Con-
servation; Alaska and International AZ
fairs.
Mr.. Roosevelt presented compre-
hensive plan to insure the rights and
better conditions for labor. He gave it
! the paramount place in his speech. 1.-The
first charge upon the Industrial states
manship of the day." he said, "is to pre-
vent human waste. The dead weight of
orphanage and depleted craftsmanship. of
crippled workers and workers suffering
| from trade diseases. of casual labor, of
N Dor <nld nrA of u
pletion due to industrial conditions are.
like our depleted soils, our gashed noun
tainsides and flooded river bottoms so
! many strains upon the national struc-
ture.- draining the reserve strength of all
industries, and showing beyond all per-
adventure the public element and public
concern In industrial health
Specific Methods Proposed.
He proposed several specific methods
for preserving and improving ''our human
resources, and therefore our labor pow
er. Wage scales and other labor data
should be made public; all deaths, in
juries and diseases due to industrial op-
Grafton should be reported to the author
tiles: wage commissions should be estab-
| lished in the nation and state to de-
termine the minimum wage scale in diff
ferent industries; the federal government
| should investigate all industries with
view to establishing standards of santa
| tion and safety; there should be mine and
! factory inspection according to standards
fixed by interstate agreement or by the
federal government; national and state
| legislation should establish standards N
compensation for industrial accidents and
deaths and for diseases clearly due to in
dustrial conditions; for the adoption by
law OF a fair standard Of compensation
| for casualties resulting fatally which
shall clearly fix the minimum compensa-
/ ton In all cases; the monetary equivalent
of living wage varies according to local
conditions. but should be sufficiently high
to make morality possible and to provide
for education, recreation. proper care OF
| the children, maintenance during sick
] ness and reasonable saving for old age;
excessive hours of labor should be pro-
hibited for all wage-wOrkers, and night
| labor of women and children should be
| forbidden; one day OF rest in seven should
be provided by law: continuous twenty
four-hour labor should be divided into
three shifts Of eight hours by law; tene-
ment-hOuse manufacture should be en-
| tirely prohibited. and labor camps should
be subject to governmental sanitary reg
| ulation: all industries employing women
and children should be specially subject
| to government inspection and regulation;
insurance funds against sickness, acci-
dent, invalidism and old age should be
Il
in part upon the industries; the suffrage
should be granted to women. IL for no
other reason, to enable workingwomen to
combine for their own protection by the
use Of the ballot. LAS a people we can
not afford to let any group of citizens or
any individual citizen labor under condi-
tions which are injurious to the common
| welfare. Industry, therefore. must sub
init to such public regulation as will make
lit a means OF life and health, not of
death or inefficiency."
Contrast With Old Parties.
1.-The two old parties" he said, "are
husks. with no real soul within either,
divided on artificial lines. Poss-ridden and
| privilege-controlled.. each a tumble Of in
| congruous elements. and neither daring
| to speak out wisely and fearlessly what
should be said on the vital issues Of the
| day" AS opposed to this incongruity
| and insincerity of action he asserted
| that the national progressive platform