Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-10-23

better represented the interests OF
labor and the ideals for which the
trade union movement stands. The
committee had no moral right to sup
press that part Of President Wilson'S
record which was itiimical TO the in
| tsrests Of labor or TO conceal that
part OF Mr.. Hughes record which was
| favorable to the interests OF labor.
Instead of making frank statement
Of the facts, a letter was prepared
and circulated throughout the coun-
try enumerating In minute detail all
the measures--important and unim-
portant--which have been approved
by Mr.. Wilson during his term as
president OF the United States. Not
one word is said, however, in regard
| to those measures advocated by
organized labor, among them the
vitality important immigration bill -
which was criticised or vetoed by the
president--the immigration bill hav-
ing been vetoed by him notwithstand-
ing the fact that Il had been passed
by an overwhelming majority OF
both branches Of congress
Hughes Has Good Record.
1.-THE only office Mr.. Hughes, re-
publican candidate for president OF
the United States, ever held in which
he had an opportunity to demonstrate
either friendship or hostility to labor
legislation, was that of governor OF
the state OF New York, and it is his
record as governor Of that state which
Mr.. Gompers and his associates
should have furnished Mr.. McClurg
and the wage-earners OF the United
States to enable them to judge which
OF the candidates is the more entitled
to the confidence and support OF the
organized wage CARRIERS and OF all
who are interested in the general well
fare.
I'm response to your request | take
pleasure in giving you, in part at
least, the labor record of Mr.. Hughes
as governor OF the state OF New
York and in quoting sentiments OF ap-.
probation OF his services expressed
| at a time when he was not candi-
date for any office and when political
Ipartisanship could have had no influ'
| ence in determining the utterances
OF those who gave voice to their ap-
probation OF his attitude and his
i services in. connection with measures
| in which labor was vitality concerned.
i Real Constructive Work.
while Mr.. Hughes was governor
| OF New York the Labor department
Twas made real instrumentality for
The protection OF wage earners,
through the administration OF labor
laws. One Of his early acts was to
Iappoint men, a former president OF
| TIC United Brotherhood of Carpen.
tiers and Joiners OF America, as COM
missioner OF labor; many additional
| inspectors were supplied in the La
Dor department; the bureau OF mer-
camille inspection was created and the
inspection Of mercantile establish
lments was transferred from the health
officers 10 the Department OF labor
the child labor laws were made more
stringent: proper ventilation and suit
. able washhouses in factories were pro-
/ vided for; protection was given &c
tunnel workers; limitation Of the
hours OF labor OF employees Of street
. railways was extended to cities Of
, the second class; the semi-monthi,
payment OF wages to employees o.
: steam railroads was provided for; al
; eight-hour day law covering railroad
! telephone and telegraph operator,
E was enacted. While governor Mr.
4 Hughes appointed commission, o
: which John Mitchell, former presiden
( of the United Mine Workers o
) America, was member, to study tn,
: subject Of the employers liability ant
{ workmen's compensation legislation
G this commission made a comprehen
sive report upon which Governo
n Hughes recommended and the legis
s ture enacted the first wokmen's com