The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-02

problem in Alaska than In the state Of
the union; and yet the principle and
object are the same, wherever we touch
thefn. We must use the resources OF
the country, not lock them up. There
need be no conflict or jealousy as be-
tween state and federal authorities, for
there can be no essential difference Of
p betWeen them. The resources
IN question must be used, but not de-
StrOyed or wasted; used, but not mon
opollZed upon any narrow idea of in
dlVldual rights as against the abiding
interests Of communities. That a policy
can be worked out by conference and
concession which will release these re-
sources and yet not jeopardize Or dissi-
pate them, I for one have no doubt:
and it can be done on lines Of regula-
ton which need be no less acceptable
TO the people and governments of the
states concerned than to the people and
government of the nation at large,
whose heritage these are. We
must bend our cOunsels to this end. A
common purposes ought to make agree
ment easy.
Three or o I'll matters of special i'm
portance and significance beg that
you will permit me to mention in clos
ing: -.
Improve Mine Labor Conditions.
Our bureau Of mines ought to be
|dNAPpNu aAu empowered 10 T6nQe
even more effectual service than it
rnders now in improving the conditions
or mine labor n making the mines
more economically productive as we'll
as more safe. This Is an all importan
part or tbs work of conservation; and
the conservation Of human life and
energy lies even nearer TO our interests
than the preservation from waste Of our
material resources.
Employers Liability Act.
We W 1t, in mere justice to the
railway employees of the country. to
provide for them a fair and effective
employers liability act; and a law that
we can stand by in this matter will be
no less to the advantage of those who
administer the railroads Of the country
than to the advantage Of those whom
they employ. The experiences Of a large
number of the states abundantly proves
that.
We ought to devote ourselves to
meeting pressing demands Of plain
justice like this as earnestly as to the
accomplishment Of political and
economic reforms. Social justice
comes first. Law is the machinery for
its realization and is vital only as it
expresses and embodies IT.
Safety at Sea. ""s
An international congress for the
discussion OF all questions that affect
safety at sea Is now sitting in Lon
don at the suggestion Of our own gov
eminent. SO soon as the conclusions
OF that congress can be learned and
considered we ought to address our
selves. among other things, to the
prompt alleviating Of the very unsafe,
unjust, and burd ensome conditions
which now surround the employment
Of sailors and render it extremely diff
cult to obtain the services of spirited
and competent men such as every ship
needs If it Is to be safely handled and
brought to port. "
Compliments Congress. a
May I not express the very real
pleasure I have experienced in CO.
operating with this congress and shar-
ing with it the labors of common serv-
ice to which 1t has devoted itself so
unreservedly during the past seven
months Of accomplishing concentra-
ton upon the business of legislation?
Surely 1t Is a prope and pertinent
part Of my report on "the state OF the
union to express my admiration for
the diligence, the good temper, and the
full comprehension OF public duty
which has already been manifested by
both the houses: and I hope that it
may not be deemed an impertinenE
intrusion of myself into the picture
If I say with how much and how con-
slant satisfaction T have awaited my
self of the privilege Of putting my
time and energy at their disposal alike
in ounse and in action.