Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-07
TAFT'S LABOR PLEA
Strongly in Favor Of Work.
mems Compensation Act.
CIVIC FEDERATION SPEECH
Champ Clark Also Speaks at Big
Banquet Of Association.
NEARLY 1000 ATTEND DINNER
Aims and Achievements of Organi-
cation Are Outlined by Presi-
dent Seth Low.
CIVIC FEDERATION SPEECH
NEARLY 1000 ATTEND DINNER

The feasibility Of capital and labor get
ting together on a basis of mutual UNDER
standing for the betterment of industrial
conditions affecting both employer and
employe was voiced at the banquet of
tho National Civic Federation last night
in the New Willard.
What believe to be the basis of this
organization, said President Taft. sis
that most of the controversies that trou-
bic men and trouble the human species
can be settled IL the contestants are
made to understand each what the other
means and claims"
Expressing the belief that both parties
in Congress would unite to pass the
workmen's compensation act, now pend
ing. President Taft delivered the opinion
that this piece Of legislation, If accom-
plished. would Justify the existence OF
this Congress for one session.
Champ Clark. Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Endorsed the purposes of
the National Civic Federation. as out
lined previously by President Seth Low.
lie was glad the organization intended to
tackle the trust question. declaring that
a settlement of 1t would entitle the fed
Grafton to monuments higher than the
shaft to Washington. Capital and labor
should be friends, he said.
Benjamin Ide Wheeler. president Of the
University of California. aroused the
sympathies of his hearers by declaring
that the differences and problems of So
ciety cannot be solved by rule, and that
by appeal to the human note the pacifiers
of the world could end much of the mis-
cry and conflict existing. He urged the
Importance of learning to see with the
eyes Of the other man as a means to
harmonious comprehension.
Mrs. Hammond Speaks.
Mrs. John Hays Hammond. chairman of
tho womans welfare department of the
federation. discussed the influence of
women in promoting Industrial better
ment and tranquility, without assuming
to invade the fields of politics or eco
Monies.
The aims and achievements OF the Ma
tional Civic Federation were outlined by
President Low. He declared that the fed
Grafton did not claim any monopoly OF
wisdom, but was anxious to give it's eff
forts to the settlement Of the problems
that confront the nation as people.
Nearly loo guests, men and women.
sat down at table. The employer and the
empdoye, economic theorists and practical
men Of affairs, government employees and
politicians sat together, rubbing elbows
without class distinctions of any sort.
Il came here to give YOU a welcome
and to say that we are doing something
i'll Washington in the line of the prog
ress which you favor" said President Taft.
Il hope we may carry it to successful
conclusion. Everything that tends to
ameliorate the relations between the en-
ployer and the employee is within the OBJ
5ect OF your association. / do not know
anything that Is likely to hep that rela-
ton more than an arrangement. generally
known as the workman's compensation
act. which changes altogether the rem
edies which the workmen have who in
dangerous employments lose life and limb
in order that they and their children and
their families may have something to live
upon after the dreadful accidents which
occur in such numbers.
Hopes Bill Will Pass.
Now, we have such a bill In Congress
prepared by a congressional committee
having the most able lawyers upon it.
and prepared along lines which sin
cerely hope and believe will be found to
be entirely within the power Of Congress
to enact. believe that both parties are
likely to unite in passing the BILL and
II nothing else is done that will justify
the existence of this Congress for one
session. ! merely mention this to report
progress When you meet again and
come to Washington there will be some
thing else here at the center Of the gov
eminent which will meet your approval
and will find inspiration in the resolu-
fions and the speeches Of those who show
forthwith the benefcent purpose Of the
institution"
Speaker Clark. who spoke earlier in
the evening, said:
During the war that happened many
centuries ago 1t became the habit of the
generals on one side to begin Their COM
mun1cations to the home government
with the phrase 1 regret to report It
seems to me that President Low might
very well have begun his address with
the phrase I rejoice to report
Il really did not want to come here tn
night because l am very busy at this
time. but President Low and President
Gompers drafted me into it. I have a
very high opinion of both of them l
never called President Low Uncle Seth
but | always call President Gompers
Uncle Sammy l am glad to be here
II. being here will contribute anything to
the laudable undertakings Of the civic
federation.
Conditions More Complex.
The truth about it is. ladies' and gen
temen. that the conditions under which
we live grow more and more complex
every year and they need these outside
aids so that people can live toIerably well.
hundred years ago such thing as this
civic federation would have been absolute
iy superfuous and now 1t is absolutely
necessary-that Is. It or something like it.
When the whole population was a rural
population, mostly engaged in agriculture
there was very little need for either
charity or suggestion OF charity
am CAD. among other things that
this civic federation has undertaken to
simplify the laws of the country and
the practice Of the law. ! am q lawyer.
The simplifcation will not do the lawyers
any good particularly, but it will do their
clients good deal Of good. The clients
are more important adjunct of society
maybe than the lawyers are
Cd
question. II they settle that, they will
deserve monument taller than Wash
ington's. / will tell you what I think
about the trust question. / think that
the severest test OF q well trained mind
is fair definition. and the trouble with