The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-21
ABE L|[LY



The system under which these de-
partments are operating Is not. OF
necessity. perfected as yet, and in or
der that they may be brought to their
highest efficiency 1t Is necessary that
Our best thought and most intcill-
gent consideration should be devoted
thereto. The worlmen's compensa-
tion department, in particular, comes
very close to those engaged in toll in
our state. II provides their insur-
ance and serves as protection and
help TO dependents OF those who
make their bread out OF the sweat o:
their face II Is n sacred trust that
the state has undertaken. Its ad-
minstration should In no wise he
hampered. The state should see to 1t
that Its beneflciaries. as well as those
who support II. are protected to the
Inst degree OF caution. II is essential
that this department shall be admin
istercd with business-likc economy,
Its funds continuously conserved, and
the attending cost and operation kept
as low as safely may be.
Out OF the compensation money
there is set aside $4,000 per year to
pay the cost OF administering the
fund. The charge Is made that n
large part OF this sum Is used to pay
employees whose services are not
needed. pledge myself to see 10 II
that any such practice shall be stop
ped and that every dollar of the fund
shall be paid over to the injured and
the dependent widows and orphans
Of deceased employees. except so much
MS may be absolutely required for the
necessary expenses of administra-
ton.
Rural Credit for Farmers.
Already quite n large surplus has
accumulated in the workmen's com
pensation fund, which. as time
passes. will. in all probability run into
millions Of dollars. Under the pres
ent law governing this fund 1t can
only be invested in the purchase OF
county. district and municipal bonds.
Bonds of this character arc usually
sold In the money markets at rate
of five per cent interest. or less.
There liz no better security than that
afforded by our farm lands. but often
1t is with difficulty, on account OF
their remoteness from money centers
and for other reasons, that farmers
are able to secure loans even when Of
fering abundant security, except at
usurious and burdensome rates OF
Interest and added expenses. AS
boon to the farmer, which would d.
rectly and indirectly benefit the
whole citizenship OF the state, this
money might be loaned on farm
property In sums not exceeding one
half of the actual cash value. at a
rate of six per cent interest. on long
time loans OF five years or more. 1t
Is possible to administer these loans
ut a cost Of less than one per cent,
thus allowing the fund an earning
capacity OF to exceed five percent per
OF course, the legislature
must surround this plan with all
necessary safeguards.
Reform of Judicn' Procedure.
This subject is one that addresses
itself largely to the legislative
branch Of government. and must b.
approached with serious thought.
That there should be some reform in
stituted the effect OF which will be to
make the processes Of law less cum
bersome and enable litigants to avail
themselves OF the use of the courts
with less delay and cost than now
attends a court proceeding. is gener-
ally agreed. The lawyers OF the state
are. OF course, best prepared to deal
with this subject and upon them we
must chiefly depend. as private cit
i2ens. members of the legislature and
judges of courts, aided by the con-
certed movement of the Bar Associa-
ton. to devise the means of bringing
about this reform. 1t must be a
concerted move and shall take
pleasure In devoting my energies and
attention to the development OF this
much needed reform.
Freedom % Legislative Action.
Tho constitution wisely provides for
three coordinate branches of gov
eminent, comprising legislative, ex-
ecutivej and judicial. Each has its
own power and authority. Neither
should encroach upon another. The
people are vitality Interested in hav-
ing them kept separate and operated
each on It's own sole responsibility.
In recent years q iustifiable complaint
has been made about the attempt OF
the executive branch to encroach
unnn and nv tho ,,ra ~ .tba pownr NJ