Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-05

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ways when necessary in time OF war or
other like public necessity now very
earnestly renew.
New Issislstien Necessary.
The necessity for such legislation u
manifest and pressing. Those who have
intrusted US with the responsibility
and duty Of serving and safeguarding
them in such matters would find 1t
hard. believe. TO excuse a failure to
act upon these grave matters or any
unnecessary postponement OF action.
Not only does the interstate COM
| merce commission now find 1t practical
ly impossible. with its present member
ship and organization. to perform its
crest functions promptly and thorough
~. but It Is not unlikely that 1t may
presently be found advisable to add to
It's duties still others equally heavy and
exacting. 1t must first be perfected A.
an administrative instrument.
The country cannot and should not
consent to remain any longer exposed
10 profound industrial disturbances
for lack Of additional means OF arbi-.
tratlpn and Cancellation which the con-
cresk can easily and promptly supply.
And ali will agree that there must be
no doubt as TO the power OF the execu
live TO make immediate and nnintes
rupted i,se of the railroads for the CON
expiration OF the military forces OF the
nation wherever they are needed anu
whenever they are needed.
This is a program OF regulation. pre-
yentfon and administrative efiicienc!
which argues fits own case In the mere
sta tenent OF It, With regard to one OF
it's items. the increase In the emciency
of the interstate commerce commission
the house OF representatives has ~.
ready acted. Its action needs only the
concurrence Of the senate.
To Safeguard Industrial Proesssss-
I would hesitate to recommend. ana
I ola re say the congress would hesitate
to act upon the suggestion should =
make II, that any man In any occupa-
tion should be obliged by law TO con-
t;,,ue In an employment which be de-
sired TO leave.
To pass a law which forbade or pre-
vented the individual workman to leave
his work before receiving the approval
OF society in doing so would De 70
ADOPT a new principle into our juris-
prudence which I take it Tor grantee
we are not prepared to introduce Bur
| the proposal that the operation OF tne
IA iIways OF the country shall not De
s,oyped or interrupted by the concert
~ action Of organized bodies OF men
until public investigation shall nave
been instituted which shall make tine
| whole question at issue plain for the
Judgment Of tie opinion Of the nation
| IS not to propose any such principle
1t is based upon the very different
principle that the concerted action OF
| poverful bodies Of men shall not be
| permitted TO stop the industrial pro-
| cesses OF the nation. at any rate before
the nation snail have had an opportu-
nity 10 acouaint itself with the merits
| Of the case as between employee and
employer, time to form its opinion upon
an impartial statement Of the merits.
and opportunity to consider all practi-
cable means Of conciliation or arbitra-
ton.
can see nothing in that proposition
hut the iustifiable safeguarding by 20
ciety Of the necessary processes OF us
very life. There is nothing arbitrary
or unjust in it unless it be arbitrarily
and unjustly done. It can and should
be done with full and scrupulous re-
gard for the interests and Liberties OF
all concerned as well rs for the per
| manent interests Of society itself.
Three matters Of capital importance
1 await the action of the senate which
have already been acted upon by the
house OF representatives-theb bill which
| seeks to extend greater freedom OF
combination to those engaged In pro.
noting the foreign cOmruerce OF the
country than Il now thought BY some
10 be legal under the terms Of the
laws against monopoly. the bill amend
Ing the present organic law OF Porto
Rico and the bill proposing more
thorough and systematic regulation 81
the expenditure Of money in elections,
4 commonly called the corrupt practices
act. Il need not labor my advice that
these measures be enacted into law,
Their urgency lies In the manifest cir
cumstances which render their adop.
ton 1t this time not only cpportnns
but necessary. Even delay would e
1 riously leopard the interests Of the
country and OF the government.
Immediate passage Of the bill TO reg
/ ulate the expenditure Of money N
| elections may seem TO be less neces
sary than the immediate enactment o.
the o<her measures TO which I refer
because 1t least two years win elaps<
before another election IN which fed
eral ofhces are 70 be filled, but It would
| greatly relieve the public mind II thu
important matter were dealt witt
while the circumstance and the dan
| GER to the public morals Of the pres
ent method Of obtaining and spendin;
campaign funds stand clear under re
Icent observation and the methods o
expenditure can b frankly studied y