The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-08
open ALASKA'S
EGREAT WEALTH
Taft Discusses Department of In
terior-Seeks Remedy for In
dustrial Strife-Writes of Gov
eminent 0wnership-Congress
Urged to Take Action.
WASHINGTON, ID. C.-special.-De-

OF Alaska and the opening of Alaskan
resources is made In a message on the
work of the Interior Department and
other matters sent to Congress today
I by President Taft.
While making 1t plain that he does
not endorse the wide principles OF
government ownership, nevertheless
the President declares that, In Justice
10 the Alaskan people and the United
States, Congress ought to open the way
a railroad into the rich mineral fields
Of the territory.
The chief questions among the 9th
er matters" relate to Industrial dis
putes and the high cost of living. The
President, alarmed by the growing
which twentieth century conditions
are fostering, asks for a commission
which shall prevent strikes and
smooth the relations between en-
ployers and employees.
president Taft recommends that
this Government take the initiative
in the formation of an international
commission, which shall investigate
the cause OF the increase in the prices
of the necessities Of life the world
over.
After discussing the qualities of the
Alaskan coal fields. the President
says:
Suggests Government Railway.
Il am not in favor of government
ownership where the same certainty
and efficiency Of service can be had
by private enterprise, but think that
the conditions presented in Alaska
are of such a character as to war
rant the Government, for the pur-
pose of encouraging the development
or that vast and remarkable terri
tory, to build and own a trunk line
railroad, which IL can lease on terms
which may be varied and changed
to- meet the growing prosperity and
development OF the territory.
There is nothing in the history Of
the United States which affords such
Just reason for criticism as the failure
of the Federal Government to extend
the benefit of it's fostering care TO the
Territory Of Alaska. 1 think
the United States owes II, therefore.
to Alaska and 10 the people who have
gone there to take an exceptional step
ana 10 build railroad that will open
the treasures of Alaska to the Pacific
and to the people who live along that
ocean on our Western coast. The con-
struction of a railroad and ownership
OF the fee do not necessitate govern
ment operation"
The President suggests that COM
missioners be named by Congress to
investigate routes and cost, also 20
make report upon the condition and
extent OF the Alaskan coal fields The
President reiterates his recommenda-
ton for a commission form of gov
eminent for Alaska as the best form
suited to that territory's needs.
To Reduce Cost Of Living
After recommending the esta bltHh-
ment OF a bureau OF national parks,
the President takes up the high cost
OF living problem. He asks for An
appropriation OF $40. zoe TO defray the
expenses Of a United States commits
sion TO confer with foreign delegates
on S2ys and means to reduce the in
creasiAlg costs. The President ssIg-
ges<s that an International conference
be called In this city and that fo~eIRn
be invited to pArticipafa
Alarmed by the Industrial warfare
aOfqad and by~srhe- growing hoktsllty
between capital and labor IN this-eoun-
try. the President comes for~tkfd IN
ms message with a proposition that
"A commission on Industrial relations
which shall act as a sort Of national
mediator In times OF dispute, be
formed. He says:
In spite OF the frequency with
which we are exposed to these dan
gers IstrlRes). and In spite OF the
absence or provisions for dealing with
them, We continue TO assume with
easy going confidence that In each
new case. somehow or other, the par
Ties TO the dispute will find some So
luton which will be agreeable to
D.
nc interest We all see the grave OBJ
Section TO strikes and lockouts, how
ever necessary they may be in ex-
treme cases. and We are ready to
critictse the most extreme phases OF
Industrial conflict, such as boyootts
uatton such that industrial disputes
ieao inevitably TO state OF Indus
trial war In which these are the only
weapons Ieft TO the two combatants.
no more clumsy or expensive method
Of determining the rate OF wages and
hours and conditions of labor could
we'll be devised.
WRnted--A Permanent Remedy.
AT the moment when the discom-
torts and dangers incident to indus
trial strife are actually felt by the
pubic. there Is usually an outcry for
the establishment of some tribunal
tor the immediate settlement Of the
particular dispute. But what is need
co Is some system devised by pa
tient and deliberate study In advance
mat VIII meet these constantly oc-
curing and clearly foreseeable emer-
a makeshift to tide over
an existing crisis. Not during a rain
storm. but IN fair weather, should
the leaking roof be examined and re-
paired: The magnitude and complex
lty OF modern industrial disputes
nave put upon some OF our statutes
and our present mechanism for ad-
)usting such differences-where we
can be said TO have any mechanism
at ala strain they were never in
tended to bear and for which they
are unsuited. What is urgently need
ed today Is a reorganization OF eur
Jaws bearing upon the relations of
employer and employee and careful
and discriminating scrutiny OF the va
rious plans which are being tried in
several OF our own States and in
hi
be the first natural step in bringing
about an adjustment of these rela-
lions better suited to the newer con-
ditions OF industry
NTIRMhRINE CIINK zE~%3