Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-01-16

efficient public service commission
law. with adequate powers given the
commission 10 Ok and regulate freight
and passenger rates, express rates.
telegraph and telephone rates, the
charges OF electric light, gas. water
and power companies. and all other
public service corporations doing bust
ness in the state.
Workinsmen's Compensation Law.
With the growth and development
of our transportation facilities, fac
tory systems and Industrial progress,
and with the increase in the number
of unskilled workmen about high pow
er machinery, the necessities demand
the enactment of a workingmen's COM
%pensation law. One of the prime OBJ
jects of a workingmen's compensa-
ton law is to avoid the great waste
attending the litigation which arises
under the old system of employers
liability laws.
The practical success of a working
mems compensation act depends upon
its simplicity, delniteness, reasonable
ness and compatibility with our state
and federal constitutions. Such a law
must be fair and just, both to en-
ployer and employee. Committees ap-
pointed by the last legislature have
investigated the subject, and no doubt
are now ready to enact a proper law
upon this subject.
Court Procedure.
The judiciary committee in both
branches of this assembly should Sc
riously consider the question Of en-
acting legislation which will simplify
court procedure, really tend to bring
about an earlier determination of liti-
cation and reduce the cost in both
civil and criminal cases to the mini
mum. The item of criminal costs is
one of the heavy drains on the state
revenues. The necessity of reform
along these lines is felt and advocated
by both the bench and bar of the
state, and should be brought about,
even if changes in the constitution
are required.
To whatever extent legislative en-
actments can accomplish this reform,
such should be passed, and to the ex-
tent that changes in the constitution
are necessary to achieve this end,
proposed constitutional amendments
should be submitted.
Pardon Board.
There should be created a board of
pardons consisting of three members,
whose duties should be to consider
the applications for executive elem
ency, and make recommendation to
the governor in reference thereto, and
to, on their own account, grant pa
roles.
There should be reforms in caring
for and protecting the dependents in
the city and county institutions, and
more humane considerations required
to be accorded them by law.
Combinations in Restraint Of Trade.
The laws of this state against pools,
trusts and conspiracies have proven
effective and, as recently construed
by the state supreme court, seem
sufficient to reach any and all ar
~rangements, agreements or under
standings made with the view to
lessen, or which, in point of fact, tend
to lessen full and free competition.
1t is my opinion, however, that GER
tain phases Of the penalty provisions
should be amended so as effectively
to reach and criminally punish indi-
viduals who, from without the state,
manage and control the affairs and
transactions Of corporations and con
Germs doing business within the state
in violation of the antitrust law.
Primary Elections.
The state primary law affords an
ample opportunity for every m to
cast his ballot for those whom he
may wish as party nominees. | am a
strong advocate of the state primary
law because it o nearly approach.
es the real rule of the people. There
are several minor administrative de-
fects in the law which should be per
fected.
1t should further be made a felony
for any person or persons to print
distribute, circulate or use a copy oil
a facsimile Of any primary ticket, OF
any part thereof, prior to or on pri
mary election day, to the end that
combinations and slate-makihg may
be prevented,
In Conclusion.
While Missouri has ever ranked
with the first states of the republic
her star is still in its ~ascendency ant
has not yet reached the meridian
height nor the zenith of it's glory, ant
the state is today the fairest blossom
plucked from the Louisiana Purchase
She has stood in the forefront IL
every line of progress and her lance
!, has ever pointed to the field of battle
When Jackson and Pakenham were
struggling at New Orleans, the GOV
cred wagons drawn by oxen were
bringing to the territory of Missouri
the noble men and women whose
= splendid lives, fortitude and heroisn
! builded here a state unequaled in thu
girdle of the globe.
The executive door is now open Il
every man, both rich and poor. M