The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-01-13

consider the Importance of cheap
transportation in our usual districts,
and that transportation is an eXpens-
i've item in our lives, it is
time Off us to benz attention
seriously to the matter Of road
improvement. The time has come
when we should act, and not
roads, and the economic question in
volved in them.
"A number of plans have been sug-
gested to bring about system OF
roadways throughout the length and
breadth of the State, with construc-
ton that will be permanent and the
cost of maintenance light, and | COM
mend this subject to your earnest
consideration. We unquestlonaoly
need these highways. They must be
constructed if we are to keep pace
with the progress of-our sister States.
Il direct your attention to the
plan offered by Mr.. Reid Whitford, OF
Charleston, as a basis of a plan TOR
YOUR consideration. 1t may be that
a State registration tax on motor We
hicles-our supreme court in re-
cent decision has declared that this
can be done constitutionally-can be
so devised as to accomplish this great
object, and commend it to your con-
sideration.
Board of Cancellation.
Labor conditions in the State, par
ticularly in Greenville and Anderson
counties. have. been acute during the
mast wear. The situation there shows
that we should provide some legal
machinery to Investigate strikes, and
mediate between employers and en-
ployees.
ssI recommend the creation OF
board of Cancellation, which will have
power to investigate strikes and to
mediate in their settlement; in con-
nection! Herewith, to have power to
summon and examine witnesses, to
compel them to testify, to require the
production books of record and pa
pers. if necessary, but, above all, to
have as it's duty the settlement OF in
dustrial disputes; and to make re-
port of their work to the governor
Iand through him to the general as
sembly.
81 deem it important that this
| board be removed as far as possible
from partisanship and from political
influence; and l suggest that such a
hoard should consist of three mem
bers. to be appointed annually for a
term of one year, one to be appoint
Fed by the supreme court, one. by the
governor, and one. by the commission
er of agriculture, commerce and In
dustries; that these members should
be paid per diem for the time en-
ployed. In the interest of justice and
harmony l urge the creation OF this
board.
State Federation of Labor.
ssFhe State federation of labor de-
sires the enactment of a law creating
Ia bureau of labor. I approve Of pro-
gressiTe legislation in behalf OF Ia
bor, and with the operation of q
| board Of conciliation during 1916
and the enforcement of the laws
which we now have on our statute
books protecting labor, we should be
| in position by the next session of the
legislature to remedy such defects in
the laws as have been discovered, and
to pass new and effective legislation
to work out the proper protection and
destinies Of our working people.
:, Workers.
II wish to call your attention to
the necessity for some legislation In
Fbehalf of workers, especially women
in large industries, and also women
employed in other lines of work
Women are sometimes cruelty op,
pressed, and have to work for q
greater number. of hours than flesh
and blood can stand. Sometimes
they are required to work as many az
sixteen hours or more, without op-
| portunity for rest, and with scant
time for meals; and with their work
places at times in an unsanitary con.
dition.
'These questions are of vital i'm
port to the future of our race, and
we must vitalize and put into active
effect the laws now on our Statute
books, which apply to these condi-
| tions. If the present laws. are insult.
feient, they should be so amended
as to give the power and means to
provide for their enforcement, so that
these conditions may be improved