The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-24
NATIONAL ACT FOR
INDUSTRIAL ILLS
Proposal Is Based on Presidents
Demand for Protection
of Workers.
MOOT DISCUSSES PROBLEM
Says 1t Is Impossible to Settle
Question by Appeal to
States.

New York March 2S.--Taking for
his text that part of President VIII
sons inaugural address relating to
achievements. Adelbcrt Moot. 4 former
president of the New York Bar AS
ISOLATION, contributes TO the current
issue of tho Survey an article on
Labor Conditions and Interstate Com
lnerce," in which he urges that all OF
the model laws in existence in the
various States concerning the rcla-
tions between employers and employees
be framed into a national act.
President Wilson said:
There can be no equality OF oppor-
tunity, the first essential OF Justice in
tho body polite. If men and women
and children he not shielded in their
lives, their very vitality, from the con
sequences Of great industrial and So
cial processes which they cannot alter,
control or sinGly cope with.
Sanitary laws, pure food laws. and
laws determining conditions OF labor
which individuals are powerless TO de-
tcrmine for themselves are intimate
parts OF tho very business of justice
and legal efficiency"
MIR. Moot. in his argument for his
proposal says
Can the national government,
through its constitutional power to
the conditions the President pre-
scribcs. The first great decision of the
Supreme Court constituting that power
broadly came in 1874. After hearing
the argument of Daniel Webster the
court denied the authority of New
York State to grant exclusive naviga-
ton rights on the Hudson River to
steamboats, built under Iulton's
patents.
Then came long list OF decisions
holding that vessels. crews, bridges.
railways. engines. cars. passengers.
freight rates. safety appliances. telc-
graph lines, hours OF labor. and en-
ploycrs liability are subject to ma
ttonal regulation where interstate
commerce is involved.
BROAD definition OF commerce.
has been followed moro recently by
decisions that the power to regulate
may cover the prohibition of evil The
law against Interstate commerce in
lottery tickets. by mail or otherwise
was upheld. and now the Mann act.
prohibiting the Importation OF white
slaves from one State 10 another has
been declared Constitutional
lin pholding the Employers liza
b!lity act, the court quoted tho siGnif
icant language of Solicitor General
Bowers. that Congress may legislate
about the agents and Instruments OF
ter-Statc commerce and the condi-
lions under which they work, when
ever such legislation bears upon the
reliability. promptness. economy, Sc
ourity. or utility OF the Inter state
Commerce act
What application shall we make or
these settled rules OF law In dealing
with the conditions brought 90 forciby
to our attention by President WILSON,
The question presented is, shall We go
10 all the various State Legislatures
oil IN
hours OF labor. days of labor. places
OF labor. and compensation TO injured
employees, or TO those who come after
them, or, instead. shall we look to the
National Legislation for proper Ma
tional legislation on these subjects?
Shall We fr!tter away our time in
piecemcal appeals to the various state
Legislatures for piccemcal Legislation,
however model its character. or. in
stead. shall we look to the National
Legislation for carefully thought out
and comprehensive legislation"
The great railways, steamship lines.
ana manufacturing ana distributing
corporations all do Interstate bust
ness. Millions OF men and women are
engaged with. Tie pathways. the steam
ship lines, The steel companies the
wholesale stores. and the great manu-
featuring industries Of the country.
Many OF these cmpoyes work twelve
hours daS. and seven days week.
while many other worthy citizens find
q difficult To get any work AT ALL so
uneNenly is work distributed Women
aud children work hopelessiy long
DAYS. and too many of them. while
other women and children arc unable
:" get any work because OF this un-
equal distribution. In many places
,hc working conditions are unsafe and
nnsanitarY, while TN others they are
good
Would it not be better 10 have
such simple legislation laying stress
on sanitary conditions and safety. rca-
sonable hours OF work and rcasona BILE
compensation In case OF injury or death
than it would be TO have crude state
insurance laws that encourage mailing
ering. enormously increase the expense
81 taxpayers for needless officials. and
fail 10 put premium upon the side
Of health and safety?
Doubtless such statute cannot be
drawn In n day 1t would require the
mature consideration OF labor leaders
and employers Of labor ana the mos,
experienced and broad minded counsel
that each can bring 10 their consider
alton. There have been objections in
the past. and there VIII he objections