Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-16

| recommended.
and suggestion to enter upon It is credltable
alike to them and to the people In whose
| name he speaks.
MERCHANT MARINE
Immediate provision should be made for
the development of the carrying trade of
the United States Our foreign commerce
has In the past been subject to many un-
necessary and vexatious obstacles In the
way OF legislation of Republican congresses.
Until the recent Democratic tariff legisla-
ton, It was hampered by unreasonable bur-
dens of taxation. Until the recent banking
legislation, It had at its disposal few of
the necessary instrumentalitles of inter-
national credit and exchange.
Until the formulation of the pending act
to promote the construction of a merchant
marine, It lacked even the prospect of ade-
quate carriage by sea. We heartily indorse
the purposes and policy of the pending ship
ping bill, and favor all such additional
measures of constructive or remedial legis-
lation as may be necessary to restore our
flag to the seas, and then provide further
facilities for our foreign commerce. par
ticularly such laws as may be made to re-
move unfair conditions of competition in
the dealings Of American merchants and
producers with competitors in foreign mar
kets.
ADMINISTRATION AND FARMER.
We favor the vigorous prosecution of in
vestlgatons and plans to render farming
more profitable and country life more
healthful. comfortable and attractive. and
we believe that this should be a dominant
aim OF the nation as well as of the States.
With all It's recent improvement, farming
still lags behind other occupations In de-
velopment as business, and the advant-
m
accrued to rural communities In fair
proportion.
Much has been accomplished In this field
under the present Admnistration-far more
than under any other previous administra-
tion. In the Federal Reserve act of the
last Congress and the rural credits act of
the present Congress, the machinery has
been created which will make credit avail
able to the farmer constantly and readily
and he has at last been put upon a footing
of equality with the merchant and the man
ufacturer In securing the capital necessary
to carry on his enterprises.
Grades and standards necessary to the
Intelligent and successful conduct of the
business of agriculture have also been es-
tablished, or In the course of being estab-
lished by law. The long-needed cotton fu-
lures act, passed by the 63d Congress- has
now been in successful operation for nearly
two years.
A grain grades bill, long needed, and a
permissive warehouse bill. intended to pro-
vide better storage facilities and to enable
the farmer to obtain certificates upon which
he may secure advances of money, have
been passed by the House of Representa-
tives, have been favorably reported to the
Senate and will probably become law during
the present session of the Congress- Both
houses have passed a good roads measure
which will be of far-reaching benefit to all
agricultural communities.
GOOD ROADS.
The happiness, comfort and prosperity of
rural life and the development of the city
are alike conserved by the construction of
pubic highways We, therefore, favor ma
tional 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 children of
the nation are it's greatest asset, and that
in conservation of these the Federal Gov
ernment, wherever II acts as the employer
OF labor, should both on its own account
and as an example put into effect the fol.
lowing principles of just employment:
First living wage for all employees.
Second. A working day not to exceed
eight hours, with one day OF rest in seven |
Third. The adoption OF safety appliances
and the establishment of thoroughly sanl- |
tary conditions OF labor.
Fourth Adequate compensation for in |
dustrlal accidents
Fifth. The standards Of the uniform |
'hild labor law" wherever minors are em-
ployed.
Sixth. Such provisions for deeency. COM
fort and health in the employment OF |
women as should be accorded the mothers
IF the race.
Seventh An equitabIs retirement law
IN ha FaFi
luated and disabled employees OF the civil
iervice, to the end that a higher standard
II efficiency may be maintained.
We believe also that the adoption Of sim
lar principles should be urged and applied
n the legislation Of the States with regard
o labor within It's borders; that through
very possible agency the life and health
4 the people OF the nation should be con-
eryed that the Federal Government should
evelop upon systematic scale the means
lready begun under the present adminIs.
ration TO assist laborers throughout the
nion 70 seek and obtain employment ana
hat the same assistance and encourage.
nent hould be extended by the Federal
government to systematic vocational train.
NJ as is now extended 20 agricultural train
We favor thorough reconsideration OF
he means and methods by which the Fed
raj Government handles questions Of pub
LABOR
We declare our faith Ia the ssaman's
ct, passed by the Democratic Congress-
nd we promise our earnest continuance Of
3 enforcement We favor the speedy an
ctment OF an effective Federal child labor
~. ana the regulation OF the Shipment 81
rison-mads goods In Interstate commerce.
We favor the creation OF 4 FEDERAL
ureau OF safety Ia the Department 81
abor 70 kather faets concerning Industrial
azards and 10 recommend legislation d
reFsnt the manning and Killing q human
sings
~ favor he sztae-,on q ths roNees