Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-03-11

opposition parties to taunt their Demo
cratic opponents with having insti-
tuted national policies and having
passed national laws which had in
iured Industry and had thrown hun
dreds Of thousands OF willing workers
out of jobs.
The White House read the reported
words of Mr.. Walsh with amazement,
because the Inference naturally was
that the condition Of unemployment
was unusual and could be traced only
TO conditions which had sprung from
some recent cause. and the administra-
ton knew that it would be charged
that the cause was improper legisla-
ton by the Democrats. From the
White House came the word that II
could not DO true that Mr. Walsh
meant the unemployed of New York
city were in any larger numbers than
usual at this time Of year, and that 1t
probably would be found he had no in
tention of intimating that the condi-
ton OF unemployment was due to
legislation enacted or promised.
Conditions About as Usual.
The next day Mr., Walsh sent a de-
NAL. He admitted that he said there
were $4,000 men and women out of
work in New York city, nut he ointed
to another part of his message which
the telegram had failed 10 transmit to
the capital: "The commission realizes
that present conditions in She 'abor
market are practically the same In
every year at this season and that the
problem is permanent one"
This explanation pleased and re-
lieved the Democrats Immediately and
took away from the Republicans and
the Progressives some of the ammuni-
ton which they thought would be of
service in making attacks on the Demo
cratic strongholds. The federal indus
trial commission is still at its work
and 1t will make inquiries into the rea-
sons for unemployment in all the
cities of the country. Then 1t will come
back to Washington and will draw up
the report in which it will recommend
legislative action which the Democrats
hope will strike al the root of the evil
of enforced idleness.
Federal Control Asked.
1t can be said that the first step con-
templated by the commission after II
has gathered its material "is to pre-
sent to congress for enactment a bill
establishing federal bureau to act as
clearing house for public and private
agencies and to direct the movements
of migratory workers. Cooperation to
end casual employment will be urged
upon employers"
Congress is to be asked to pass legis.
lation which will put under federal
control every employment agency In
the United States which is doing an in.
terstate business. 1t is charged that
alluring promises are held out to men
in one locality Of employment at good
wages in other sections of the country
and that frequently when the trip is
made and the expense undergone. they
find they have been deceived.
Doesn't Want to Be Enlarged.
Senator Kenyon of Iowa has
introduced a bill in congress In
creasing to sixteen the member.
ship of the interstate commerce
commission. This is an addition OF
ten members The measure contem
plates the division of the country into
five districts with headquarters at
Washington. Atlanta. Chicago, Kansas
City and San Francisco. with the prin'
cipal office at Chicago. Three com.
missioners in any district under the
terms of the bill could decide a case
which could be taken on appeal To
the entire commission
1t is pretty well understood In
Washington that the interstate com.
merce commission is opposed to hav.
ing its membership increased. In a
recent dispatch 1t was told how the
commission is being overworked be
cause of the mass of business before
1t. The objection of the commission to
increasing its membership is that II
would make the board unwieldy and
that agreements would be much more
difficult TO reach than they are at
present.
Meantime the commission is taking
its own way TO find relief from its
present overworked condition 1t has
sum of money granted to it as a con.
tingent fund and It has used a part
Of this money 70 pay the salaries of a
board of examiner attorneys" It has
appointed the members of this board
and their duties viii be to hold hear.
ings much after the manner of those
held by masters in chancery and TO re.
port on cases direct 10 the commission
which shall render final decision.
Admittedly this plan is only an ex-
pertinent and II is NOT thought that II
will meet all the requirements in the
case. but some relief is expected.
In sense the appointment Of the
seven members of the board of exam.
liner attorneys simply supplements the
work of examiners who have done
field work since the commission was
established. The new board however,
has somewhat larger powers than ex-
aminers have had in the past. In one
respect, an important respect. the ex-
aminer attorneys win be handicapped.
They cannot pass on the competency
of evidence. In other words, Il ey
cannot throw out Of their reports %
the commission such testimony as