The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-27


alton side. Their interest Is such
that they can prepare their case In
its most attractive form but the pub
lie gets no fair hearing. since what
Is everybodys business Is nobody's
business
So much OF the time you have SO
kindly allotted to me has been con-
sumed in merely scratching the sur
face OF the subject to corporate re-
form. that I must reluctantly sur
render my purpose OF discussing the
big work of social justice that de-
mands the immediate attention of our
bar. My study of socialism has sat
isfied me that 1t Is beautiful rides
cent dream OF the idealist and not
practicable working program. The
agitation of It's principles by the
splendid. earnest, unselfish scholars
and thinkers who are championing Its
cause has done much to wiring con-
cessions that would not otherwise
have been obtained. It's continuance
as a standing protest against existing
injustice Is invaluable.
II the capitalist system fs to con-
tinue. 1t must be reconstructed upon
lines that offer to the workers
greater measure OF protection and
fairer distribution Of the Industrial
wealth to which the masses contri-
:
A long stride in the direction OF
progress was made when Congress
wrote into the Clayton act the senti-
ment that human labor IL not O. com
modify In connection with certain
exem ptions of labor organizations
from tho laws aimed at the trusts.
That act has other important pro-
gressive features which the railroads
are engaged IN attempting to destroy
| by an amendment that Is now pend
ing in Congress.
! 1t os the part Of good bookkeeping
| to carry a depreciation account to
cover the wear and tear on mechani-
/ cal machinery in manufacturing
| business as a part OF the cost OF the
| product. The time has come when
provision must he made for the wear
! and tear on the human machinery en-
gagged in the industry which Is quite
as much part OF the cost of produc-
| ton as Is the wear and tear on. the
| plant We are accordingly getting
| workmen's compensation laws to pro-
| tect the laborer to a slight extent
against accident and to provide for
| his family in case of death in the
| course OF hts employment We must
now have laws to protect him against
old age. sickness and enforced I'M
employment, such as have long pre-
vailed In other countries.
| It Is a feld of constructive legtsla-
| ton in which the skill of the lawyer
will be taxed to the limit, for there
| Is no subject so beset with ramifi-
! cations and complications. Our con-
/ ditlons differ from those prevailing in
! the countries in which those laws
are being administered. so that the
subject will perhaps require other
treatment: but the problem Is one
that will have to be met We must
now apply ourselves to 1t.
The imposition OF the income tax
and especially of the graduated su-
per-tAx on large incomes was a step
| in the right direction. The doub-
ling of the tax that is now impending
Is another salutary step and the i'm
position OF a substantial tax on mu-
| nitions Is still another. The toiling
masses are at last being encouraged
| to believe that the taxes of the flu
| ture will be imposed on wealth, where
they belong. and that hereafter their
! backs will not be bent under the ever
| increasing burdens of government to
| the exclusion of those who should be
| made to bear them but have thus
far escaped their Just share. 1t Is
gratifying and encouraging to feel
that the greater preparedness OF
which we are so sadly in need is to
| be accomplished through taxing the
men who receive the lions share OF
it's benefits and to whom its payment
involves no hardships. The tax or
incomes, and especially the heavy SUI
per-tax on great incomes. Is the most
just and the least burdensome of all
forms OF taxation.
The lawyer understands the in
CAPABILITIES that have so long been suf-
fered. He should have been the first
| TO demand justice.
In the field of the reform of the
criminal law, much remains to be
done and still more that has been
done must be undone. We must cut
| loose from some of our cherished
prejudices. ] am among those who
believe that our grand jury system
should be discarded It served a use
full purpose but 1t has become a pro-
/ l1c source of opp essien. II ought
not to be possible IN these days tc
| brand a fellow-being by an indict.
ment resulting from a star chamber
proceeding. in which only one side
has had the opportunity of beins
heard. Every criminal prosecution
should be tnaugurated by a complaint
supported In open court by sufficient
legal proof to make out prima facie
case. The defendant should not bt
permitted to waive examination. I,
Is In the interest of tho state that the
court should be satisfied that such q