Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1916-09-08

That "No 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-commissloner 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 be
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
tration 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 1t contains a mum
Der Of items of unusual interest.
1--WE may well believe that it was
with great deal of pride that Mr.
Mccormick contemplated the recoro
of his party and that he drew yivlo
mental picture of Progressives flock
Ing to the support Of Mr.. Wilson be
cause of the things claimed on behalf
of this administration.
"It is a pity that In the interest OF
truth which knows neither Democrat
Progressive nor Republican, we must
mar this remarkable statement. New
ertheless, It Is our duty to call atten
ton to the fact that in his effort te
induce support for Mr.. Wilson tht
Chairman Of the Democratic Nationa
Committee has fallen into a glarint
error. We have no desire to disparagt
the achievements of the Wilson ad
ministration, but we must enter EN-
phatic protest against any attemp'
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 a Republican administra-
ton and were approved by ex-Presi.
dent Taft, and for others the Demo
cratic administration deserves ne
credit.
Lest anyone think that this is 3
groundless assertion we herewith fur
nish the record which can easily b.
verified:
From among the twenty pieces Of
legislation cited by Chairman MeCOr-
mick, / select the following:
(1) Eight hour law on government
work. In effect March 1, 1913. Signed
by Mr.. Taft.
(2) Eight hour provision for posi-
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. 1913
Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(4) Chlldren's Bureau. In effect
April o, 1912. Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(5) Industrial Commission Law t.
investigate industrial relations. II
effect August %, 1912. Signed by Mr.
Taft.
(6) The PHOSPHORUS match law
Enacted in 1912, effective as to the i'm
portation of white phosphorous match
es January 1. 1913. and as to the man
ufacture of such matches July L
1913. Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(D The Department OF Labor Law
creating a department with secre
tary who shall be a member of the
Presidents Cabinet. In effect Marcel
4, 1918. Signed by Mr.. Taft.
(s) The Parcel Post Law. In ef
feet January l. 1918. Signed by Mr.
Taft.
(9) The Federal Reserve Law
which, while passed during this ad
mnlstratIon. is based entirely on the
vast work of investigation and com
pilation done by the Monetary Com
mission, during the Taft Administra
tIon, and closely follows, except in
certain details. the legislation recon.
mended by that commission.
(10) The eight-hour law for the
District OF Columbia, was fathered
and put through by Republican, Sen
ator La Toilette.
The antitrust law antedates the
Cleveland Administration = although
President Cleveland never enforced it.
From time to time, as with all great
legislative acts, 1t has been necessar,
to amend or add to 1t. and the anti
trust law of the Wilson Admlnistra
ton was merely such an amendment