The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-17

ways. We therefore favor national
aid in the construction OF post roads
and roads for military purposes.
Government Employment
We hold that the life. health and
strength of the men, women and chill
dren of the nation are its greatest
asset, and that in the conservation of
these the Federal government wher-
ever 1t acts as the employer OF labor.
should both on its own account and
as an example, put into effect the fol-
flowing principles of just employment:
| IA living wage for all employees.
| "A working day not to exceed
eight hours, with one day of rest in
seven.
3-The adoption OF safety ap-
planes and the establishment rof
thoroughly sanitary conditions of la
Dor.
adequate compensation for In
dustrial accidents.
| 5-The standards OF the uniform
child labor law" wherever minors are
employed.
6-Such provisions for decency.
comfort and health in the employ
ment of women as should be accord
ed the mothers of the race.
An equitable retirement law
providing for the retirement of super
animated and disabled employees of
the civil service to the end that
I higher standard of efficiency may be
maintained.
| We believe also that the adoption
of similar principles should be urged
and applied in the legislation OF the
States with regard to labor within
their borders, and that through every
possible agency the life and health of
the people OF the nation should be
conserved.
Labor.
We declare our faith In the sea-
mems act, passed by the Democratic
Congress, and we promise our earnest
continuance of its enforcement.
We favor the speedy enactment OF
an effective Federal child labor law
and the regulation OF the shipment of
prison made goods in interstate COM
marco.
| We favor the creation of Federal
bureau of safety in the Department
! OF Labor to gather facts concerning
industrial hazards. and to recommend
legislation to prevent the manning
and killing OF human beings.
We favor the extension OF the pow
ers and functions of the Federal bu-
reau Of mines.
/ we favor lTH ieNeiQsTneHt upon u
systematic scale of the means already
/ begun under the present admintstra
ton to assist laborers throughout the
nation to seek and obtain employ
Iment, and the extension by the Fed
eral government, by the same assist
ance and encouragement as IN now
given to agricultural training.
We heartily commend our newly
established Department OF Labor for
its excellent record in settling indus
trial strikes by personal advice and
through conciliating agents.
Public Health.
We favor thorough reconsidera-
ton of the means and methods by
which the Federal government han
died questions of public health. to the
end that human life may be conserved
by the elimination of loathsome dis
eases, the Improvement of sanitation
and the diffusion of a knowledge OF
disease prevention.
! We favor the establishment by the
Federal government Of tuberculosis
sanitariums for needy tubercular pa
tents.
| Senate Rules.
We favor such an alteration of the
rules of procedure of the Senate Of
the United States as will permit the
prompt transaction OF the nations
Legislative business.
Economy and the Budget.
| We demand careful economy in all
| expenditures for the support of the
government, and to that end favor
q return by the House OF Representa-
tives to Its former practice of initiat-
ing and preparing all appropriation
| bills through a single committee chos-
en- from it's mem bership. in order that
| responsibility may be conferred. ex-
penditures standardized and made uni
form, and waste and duplication In
the public service as much as pos
sible avoided. We favor this as a
practicable first step toward a budget
| system.
Civil Service.
We reaffirm our declarations for the
rigid enforcement Of the civil service
laws,
/ Philippine Islands.
| We heartily indorse the provisions
OF the bill. recently passed by the
House OF Representatives. further
promoting self-government In the
| Philippine Islands as being In full
| flllment Of the policy declared by the
Democratic party in it's last national
platform, and we reiterate our In
dorsement of the purpose of ultimate
independence for the Philippine Is
| that measure.
Woman Suffrage
We recommend the extension OF the
franchise to the women OF the coun-
try by the States upon the same terms
| as to men,
Protection of Citizens
| We again declare the policy that
the sacred rights of American citt-
zenship must be preserved at home
and abroad, and that no treaty with
any other government shall receive
the saction OF our government which
does not expressly recognize the ali
solute equality OF all our citizens, ir-
respective OF race, creed or previous
nationality. and which does not recog-
nize the right of expatriation. The
American government should protect
American citizens In their rights, not
only at home but abroad, and any
country having a government should
he held to strict accountability for
any wrongs done them. either TO par
son or property At the earliest prac-
teal opportunity our country should
strive earnestly for peace among the
warning nations OF Europe and seek
to bring about the adoption OF the
fundamental principles of Justice and
humanity. that all men shall enjoy
| 81