Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1913-09-02
THOUSANDS join IN
CELEBRATING LABOR DAY
(Continued from page ~

and flowers, the land Of laughter and
song. i've us united citizenship, and
with cooperation we will place Ar
kansas in the front ranks of the state
of this union where she SO justly
belongs.
The purpose for which this day is
observed, opens up the field OF all
activities, and the greatest of human
experience. The question of LA
BOR." 1t is a just tribute that our
lawmakers should set apart and
designate one day in each year to be.
celebrated as Labor Day. The one
question around which all activities
and interest of the world revolvs.
Labor should be dignified, because
every honorable and legitimate inter-
est OF the world depends upon it,
whether it be in filling the pulpit,
teaching in the schools and colleges,
!
il the factories, in the fields of agri-
culture, behind the counter and desk,
administering to the sick, or in the
law office.
In view of the life which I have
lived and the environments which
have surrounded me, as we'll as the
public statements which | gave out
iiN the recent campaign for Governor,
I feel that III -is2iAa necessary for me
to make any statemeht to ,tsls audi
ence with reference to my attitude
towards the laboring people and the
laboring interest of the State of Ar
kansas. Without my saying it, you
we'll know that have and shall con-
tinue to carry complete sympathy
for the people who labor and an
earnest desire to engage in any
understanding that will better their
condition or make for their general
welfare.
81 rejoice that I live in an age
when those who labor have the will
ing ear of the lawmakers of our
country and in whom the officers of
the government are deeply concerned,
and in all age. when those who admin
lister Justice from the bench do not
look with disfavor on those who toll.
AS matter of history. we all know
that the time has been; in deed, was
within the last century, that the So
called laborer was regarded as being
but little better than chattel and
that the laws which from time to
time were inflicted were extremely
slow in reaching that stage where
the rights of labor were protected.
/ rejoice that / live in an age when
the law seeks to protect not only
the earnings of the laborer, but also
his health and his limbs.
in my judgement it will be for the
best interest of all the people of our
commonwealth that no backward step
be taken in our efforts to bring about
conditions which will protect the life,
limbs, health, comfort and enjoyment
of the man. who produces by the
sweat of his brow the necessities and
comforts of mankind. His hours OF
labor should not be EXCESSIVE, his
home should be attractive, comforta-
BILE and convenient. His wages should
be certain and should be sufficient
to protect himself and his family
from harm or distress or discomfort.
Indeed, it should be sufficient to en-
able him to provide against the needs
of old age or misfortune.
eff in the course of my career as
| Governor of the State of Arkansas
matters should be submitted to me
which concern the interest OF those
who labor in this state and i should
take any step that would appear to
be antagistic to what some OF those
who labor may regard as to their
best advancement, you may feel as
sured that my action will be moved
by what I regard as being to the best
interest of your welfare or it will be
due to that sense of justice which
makes it impossible for an honest
man to disregard his oath of office.
"There are certain broad princl-
pies which underlie the problem OF
labor and capital which it is weel for
all of us to study and bear In mlnd'
It is always necessary that those
who are engaged in one particular
calling to remember that they in the
very nature of things are In COM
,, netition and to certain extent are
: antagonistic to some who labor in
other causes. To illustrate my mean
: ing. the wages of those who are en-
!; gagged in mining coal, to certain ex-
! tent affect and control the price OF
: coal. The wages of those who are