Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-14
STATE GRANGE
SCORES 8-HOUR
LAW FOR LABOR
Applied to Agriculture,
Would Be Serious Blow
to Farmer
URGES MARKET BUREAU
"Good Roads" Jones Declares
Big Industries Should Pay
Road Tax

Cd before the convention here today, crit
eizes the elght-hour law and Expresses IN
belief that II Il is applied TO agriculture o
the work Of the farm u will be serlou
blow TO tho farmer The distribution CON
mlttee points out that Increased productlo
would not alone solve the high cost OF liN
ing problem and asserts that the domlnan
factor for high prices IL the method o
distribution. II urges that bureau o
markets and marketing be added to the De
partment OF Agriculture. From the trans
portatlon committee came the advice tina
fast freight service should he established
rural roads should be widened and a larg
merchant marine be established. The edu
cation committee advocates teaching chill
dren the lessons and value Of nature,
The agriculture committee report wa
presented by II. II. DorHett, chairman o
that body. II reads as follows:
The farmer Ia neither an object OF
plty nor subject for charity. Hs In
not asking for Bpeclla favors nor class
legislation. fIo has prncticed the
elgtHt-hour law ever since Adam was
driven out Of the Garden OF Eden,
In the afternoon, and tho rest OF the
time he just works The grange seeks
tho greatest good TO the greatest
number" and believes that this prin-
ciple might we'll be followed by our
lawmakers IL In neither right nor
Just for our National Congress 20 en-
act laws for few at the expense Of
the many. Arbitration In the only fair
and Just means OF settling disputes
when tho parties thereto cannot agree.
No legislation should be enacted that
even tends to create class feeling or
widen the breach which now exists be-
tween capital and labor.
CAPITAL AND LABOR
Capital should be made TO under
stand that II is helpless without labor,
and labor should realize that IL could
not exist without capital Each ig de-
pendent upon the other. Congress
should take such steps and onnct such
laws as will impress upon both parties.
that everybody is bigger than any
body" And that II will not permit the
wheels OF progress to he blocked oven
II II has to take over the railroads and
operate them until peaceful settle
ment is obtained. IL is extremely
dangerous for the Government even to
attempt 10 fix n wage scale or establish
hours of labor, unless the hours so
established. shall apply to all classes
of labor.
Should the law bo applied 10 agri-
culture or to the labor on the farm, II
would be serious blow to the farmer.
- ne could never get his work done
under an alght-hour day. nor could he
AFFORD u pay Il man for ton hours work
when he worked but eight.
The distribution committee said IL had
no desire to criticize the doctrine OF in.
creased production or minimize Its Inn
III go
production alone will not solve
he problem OF the high cost OF living.
rhs most potent factor IL that of dlstribu-
lon. The distribution of food products has
,ecome commercIallzed to that extent that
God sharks ind II a fruitful field for
Iroed and profit, Take away the profit
hat ls being made through the sale and
OF food products and at once
$ removed the evil OF speculation and Is
a safe, sound and economic sys-
'em OF distribution.
CALLS FOR ORGANIZATION
The distribution committee urged that
he farmer organize. as he should realize
liat he finds. himself outelassed in the or
Ianized business parts OF the world. Sec
,ndly. there should be cooperation with
he common carrier. distributor and con-
umer Thirdly. that the consumer learn
he value OF buying direct and In larger
quantities
II is also recommended that a bureau
IL markets and marketing be added TO the
Department OF Agriculture and that such
legislation be enacted at the next session.
Such IA bureau. II ia pointed out. would
direct the shipment OF farm products and
act as n clearing house In all crop move
nents. II would work In conjunction with
the National Bureau Of Markets and make
Il possible for the farmer to have some
,ne look after his shipments.
In conclusion the committee recommended
hat more money be appropriated TO carry
'n the research work of State College and
he Department OF Agriculture.
Better and faster transportation methods
IRE advocated by the committee on trans
,ortation. Railroads should establish a
freight service, run on a plan
o or similar In connection with the pas
lenger trafiic. The problem OF local trans
,ortation would be virtually solved. ao-
ording 10 the report OF the committee. II
ural roads were wldensd sufficiently to
AXE care OF the normal trafrie upon them.
IN the subject OF water frelghts, the body
SKIS the grange to exert every effort to-
yard the establishment OF a merchant
narlne OF q size large enough to carry
he products Of the farms. mines, foreats
nd industries 10 all parts of the world,
e We need In farm operations.
The message OF teaching the children the
esson OF nature plays a prominent part
n the report OF the educational committee.
he body calls attention 10 the fact that
ural schools are too often city schools In
rural community, and that the children
re taught about the glitter OF the Metro
olitan oenters while everything seems COM
aonplaee In the country, thus making the
hildren blind to the beauties OF nature
bout them. The committee believes In
oeational training whereby the children
an learn lessons OF practical value 10 than
Flth the old farm and kitchen as q labora-
Dry for experiment.
The committee fayors the consolidation
Z schools so far as practicable. but de-
lores Tie tendency 10 make the rural
chooi the town high school
PLAN FOR HIGHWAYS
Il the United States Steel Cooperation.
efhiahsm Steel Company. United Gas ana
Company OF Philadelphia ana
amsrons other corporations throughout the
tate were compelled 10 bear their share Of
e burden of taxation hundreds OF miles of
Fz<-rlAss roads could be built ia Psansyl-
mia without inearFlng any bonded indebt-
lnaaz.
This Wa asserted today By Senator =.
Jones. Of sasaaehanna County . mem
= Of TIE legislative eommittes ok the Penn
fIFania State Grange
n tha Interests Of the farmer. Senator
Iae7 has Tor many years hatiied uncom-
en1IalaslF for seed roads That won for
n 4Ha 48tIa Of as{4aua Haadaf4 Ianaa