The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-12-08

1 InE Quiet ohSSNH~'~-
in the interstate commerce col,i'iiis
sion's membership and in its 1acliities
for nerforming its manifold duties, the
nrovision. for full public Investigation
and assessment of industrial disputes
and the grant to the executive OF tne
mower to control and operate the raii-
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
infrusted us with the responsibility
and duty of serving and safeguarding
Them in such matters would find y
hard. / believe, to excuse a faliure y
not upon these grave matters or any
unnecessary postponement OF action
upon them.
Not only does the interstate COM
merce commission now find It practi-
c0Ily impossible, with its present mem
bership and organization, to perform
its great functions promptly and thor
ouehly. but 1t is not unlikely that 1t
NAV 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
to 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 uninteri
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.
For Control and Operation.
would hesitate to recommend, and
| dare say the congress would hesitate
to 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 new prin-
ciple into our jurisprudence which l
take 1t 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 a nublic
investigation shall have been instituted
winch 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 anv
rate before the nation shall have had
an opportunity to acquaint itself with
the merits Of the case as between en-
ployee and employer, time to form IFS
opinion upon an impartial Statement
OF the merits, and opportunity to CON
slder all practicable means of concilia-
ton or arbitration.
! can see nothing in that proposition
Dut the Justifiable safeguarding hv 81
clety OF the necessary processes 81
us very life. There is NOTHING orhi-
trary or unjust in it unless If he orhis
trarlly and unjustly DONE II con ana
should be done with full and scrnnr
lous regard for the interests and lihor
lies OF all concerned as well as for ~
permanent interests of society itseIf
u Other Legislation Urqed
Aiiiee matters of capital importance
await the action of the senate whioh
nave already been acted upon ~ A.
muse OF representatives tha I'm
Wiilch seeks to extend greater froodora
" combination to those engaged i ~
inotlhg the foreign commerce of ~
country than is now thought nv co.,
- ne regal under the terms Of tha law,
against monopoly; the bill amandim,,
the present organic law Of Porto Pina.
anu the bill proposing a more thor
ough and systematic regulation of ~
expenditure of money in elections CON ~,
Monty called the Corrupt Practices Al
! need not labor my advice that has a.,
measures be enacted into law Tnain
urgency lies in the manifest c,ronr lf
stances which render their adontio Na ! !
ms time not only opportune bur nacas
sary. Even delay would ser 1895.
Jeopara the interests of the country
anu OF the government.
immediate passage Of the hin - Ill
uiite the expenditure of money IN as
tions may seem to be less noo - elec-
IMAM the Immediate 49,.