Iditarod pioneer., 1916-11-18
THE CONSTITUTION AND THE PEOPLE

The constutionaty of the Alson eight hour law for rail road be tested in the courts the Omon Fac'hc hroaa Company having filed suit Omaha day or two alter eectlon with this object in view From now on the country que to re ceve enlightenment upon the subject of the relation o the constitution industrial affairs and the learned omons o the legal profession and the laty will be as varying as the interests represented.
 It is distressing to that the constitution is not now re garded which wont to inspire Tn days gone bv there is growing feeling that the instrument itself IS not in touch many respects with the development o modern thought and progress of the themselves has u least been contrbuory this feeling When ago the supreme of the United States decided by majority o w bat o income tax law was unconstitutional and when aged member great tribunal announced hs determnao the bench until death in order to prevent reversal the courts decision citizens generally came to the conclusion that something detnenes and ceanesS ct phraseoogy al least lacking in its text and possibly iis o0c1li were m seleyien they might be Since that tune there nave been other decisions important subjects which have shown ~ and there have been even revesas o1 oecisos ~ by itself The feeling growing that the conSuuuoh eventually will made elastic and at least one decision o tends bear out hls prohablly NO matter " the fate of the Adanon law may be, the dscuslon o1 the situation growing of enactment cannot but be oenenca in determining legislation Pubic sentiment Is demanding broader governmental supervision of business than before and this is especially the transportation business which Is matter in which all the people vitaly interested Whether this will result in liberal construction of the constitution a> now exists will eventually force the adoption of eVcu onary amendments remains to be seen
 changing sentiment with reference to the constitution Is admirably illustrated by editorial recently appearing Tn the Portland Orgonan dealing with the conutonaty of the child labor recently enacted by That newspaper has been known for generations one ot the most influential ana con- ervave publications the Pacific coast and Tn former years ranked high in the nation Its dsclslon o hls Suoect eh titled to much weight and also will be taken indicating the trend public thought this important subject Says the Portland newspaper
 Objection is made to the child labor bill on the ground that it strains clause of the consuton That instrument always the refuge of those who dare not oppose
 progressive law merits. They forget that the con
 tituon was made to develop the life of the American ten for destroying life Had the tramerS G the constitution lived and set about their work
 doubt not that they would have inserted clauses rendering traffic in childhood impossible, But 1t stands Tn the way obviously dictated by humanity congress should not he down in impoency; should propose amendment per hitting this and all similar laws to be passed. The conh- tuition was designed prevent the nation from executing its will it was designed define the nations will and to be changed time progress prompted the naon to will things.
 The insncerity of the constitutional objection is proved by the numerous acts which congress has passed believing
 them to invalid but putting that question up to the su- preme court has acted upon the theory of the politician who said What the constitution between friends" One may fairly ask What is the constitution against humanity
 If it stands in the way change it.