The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-09-07

That mo class is more instant than
labor to condemn and punish those
who without foundation lay claim to
its gratitude" is the assertion of John
Williams, ex-commissioner Of labor,
apropos OF certain false claims set
forth by Vance Mccormick, Democrat
ic National Chairman, in behalf Of his
party.
Chairman Mccormick caused to De
published in the New York Times, on
July 81, an appeal for Progressive and
Labor support, based on twenty
measures enacted by Congress while
President Wilson has been In the
White House." and for which he
claims credit for the Wilson admins
tratlon and asks Progressive approba-
ton. Commenting on this statement,
the former Commissioner Of Labor
says:
students and promoters of sound
social legislation will do well to ex-
anime this list for II contains num-
Der of items of unusual interest.
I'VE may well believe that 1t was
with a great deal of pride that Mr..
Mccormick contemplated the record
Of his party and that he drew a vivid
mental picture Of PrOgressives flock
ing to the support of Mr.. Wilson be-
cause of the things claimed on behalf
OF this administratiOn...-,-.
ut is a pity that In the interest of
truth, which knows neither Democrat,
Progressive nor Republican, we must
mar this remarkable statement. New
ertheless, 1t is our duty to call atten-
ton to the fact that in his effort to
induce support for Mr.. Wilson the
Chairman of the Democratic National
Committee has fallen into a glaring
error. We have no desire to disparage
the achievements of the Wilson id
minlstration, but we must enter EN-
phatic protest against any attempt
to pad the Record.
'Mr. Mccormick claims twenty
measures enacted by Congress while
President Wilson has been In the
White House. This claim we dispute.
More than One-half are measures en-
acted under Republican adminlstra-
ton and were approved by ex-Presi-
dent Taft. and for others the Demo
cratic administration deserves no
credit.
LEST anyone think that this is a
groundless assertion we herewith fur
nish the record which can easily be
verified:
From among the twenty pieces OF
legislation cited by Chairman McCor-
mick, l select the following:
(l) Eight hour law on government
work. In effect March 1. 1913. Signed
by Mr.. Taft.
(2) Eight hour provision for post
office clerks. In effect generally Au-
gust "a, 1912.
(3) Eight hour provision applicable
to the manufacture Of ordnance for the
government. In effect January 1, 1918.
Signed by Mr.. Taft.
ca Children's Bureau. In effect
April 8, 1912. Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(5) Industrial Commission Law to
investigate Industrial relations. In
effect August %. 1912. Signed by Mr..
Taft.
(0) The PHOSPHORUS match law.
Enacted In 1912, effective as to the i'm
portation Of white PHOSPHORUS match
es January /, 1913, and as to the man
ufacture Of such matches July /,
1918. Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(7) The Department Of Labor Law
creating department with a secre-
tary who shall be a member Of the
Presidents Cabinet. In effect March
4, 1918. Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(S) The Parcel Post Law. In ef-
feet January 1, 1913. Signed by Mr..
Taft.
CO.. The Federal Reserve Law
which, while passed during this ad-
mlnistration, is based entirely on the
vast work of investigation and com
pllation done by the Monetary Com
mission, during the Taft Administra-
ton, and closely. follows. except In
certain details. the legislation recon-
mended by that commission.
(1O) The elght-hour law for the
District OF Columbia. was fathered
and put through by a Republican. Sen
atOr La Toilette.
The antitrust law antedates the
Cleveland Administration - although
President Cleveland never enforced IL.
From time to time. a. with all great
legislative acts. II has been necessary
70 amend or add to II. and the anti
trust law Of the Wilson Admlnistra-
ton was merely such an amendment.