The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-12-08

sion's membership and In ITS facilities
for performing its manifold duties, the
provision for full public investigation
and assessment of industrial disputes
and the grant 10 the executive of the
power TO control and operate the rail
ways when necessary in time of war
or other like public necessity now
very earnestly renew.
The necessity for such legislation is
manifest and pressing. Those who have
intrusted us with the responsibility
and duty Of serving and safeguarding
them in such matters would find II
hard, l believe, TO excuse q failure to
act upon these grave matters or any
unnecessary postponement of action
upon them.
Not only does the interstate COM
MERGE commission now find il practi-
cally impossible, with it's present mem
berShip and organization. 10 perform
It's great functions promptly and thor
Oughly, bur it is not unlikely that IL
may presently be found advisable TO
add TO its duties still others equally
heavy and exacting. 1t must first be
perfected as an administrative instru-
ment.
The country cannot and should not
consent TO remain any longer exposed
70 profound industrial disturbances for
lack Of additional means of arbitra-
ton and Cancellation which the con-
gress can easily and promptly supply.
And all will agree that there must be
no doubt as TO the power Of the execu-
tive TO make immediate and uninter-
rupted use of the railroads for the con-
centration of the military forces of the
nation wherever they are needed and
whenever they are needed.
This is program of regulation, pre-
ventiOn and administrative efficiency
which argues its own case In the mere
statement of it. With regard TO one
of its items, the increase in the eff
cheney of the interstate commerce com
mission, the house of representatives
has already acted; its action needs
only the concurrence of the senate.
TOT NontToi dno operation.
/ would hesitate to recommend, and
| dare say the congress would hesitate
10 act upon the suggestion should /
make IT. that any man in any occupa-
ton should be obliged by law TO con-
tinue in an employment which he de-
sired to leave. To pass law which
forbade or prevented the individual
workman to leave his work before re-
ceiving the approval of society In do
Ing SO would be to adopt a new prin-
ciple into our Jurisprudence which l
take IL for granted we are not prepared
to introduce. But the proposal that
the operation OF the railways of the
country shall not be stopped or inter
rupted by the concerted action of or
ganized bodies Of men until public
investigation shall have been instituted
which shall make the whole question
at issue plain for the judgment of the
opinion OF the nation Is not TO propose
any such principle. 1t is based upon
the very different principle that the con-
certed action of powerful bodies of men
shall not be permitted to stop the IN
dustrial processes of the nation. at any
rate before the nation shall have had
an opportunity to acquaint itself with
the merits Of the case ms between en-
ployee and employer, time to form its
opinion upon an impartial statement
OF the merits, and opportunity TO con-
slider all practicable means of concilia-
ton or arbitration.
can see nothing in that proposition
but the justifiable safeguarding by So
ciety OF the necessary processes of
Its very life. There is nothing arbl-
trary or unjust in 1t unless il be arbi-
trarily and unjustly done. Ii can and
should be done with a full and serum
lous regard for the interests and liber-
ties of all concerned as well as for the
permanent interests OF society itself
Other Legislation Urged.
Three matters of capital importance
await the action Of the senate which
have already been acted upon by the
mousse or representatives the bin
Whlch seeks TO extend greater freedom
OF combination 70 those engaged I'm pro-
noting the foreign commerce of tho
country than is now thought by some
to be legal under the terms of the laws
against monopoly; the bill amending
the present organic law of Porto Rico.
ana the bill proposing more thor
)ugh and systematic regulation of the
expenditure of money in elections, com |
monty called the Corrupt Practices Act
need not labor my advice that these |
measures be enacted into law. Their
urgency lies in the manifest circum- |
stances which render their adoption at |
mis- time not only opportune but neces- |
'ary. Even delay would seriously |
leopard the interests of the country |
md OF the government.
Immediate passage of the bill to reg
llate the expenditure of money in cleo
ions may seem TO be less necessary
nan the immediate enactment OF the
'ther measures to which / refer; be-
'ause at least two years will elapse
'efore another election in which fed
raj Offices are 70 be filled but il would
'reatly relieve the public mind If this
important matter were dealt with
While the circumstances and the dan.
'ers to the public morals of the pres
mt method of obtaining and spending