The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-10-04
WHAT WILSON HAS ACHIEVED.
BY WILLIAM b. WILSON
Secretary of Labor

eNN'N VI A%e''NA
Democratic control of congress and
the sympathetic leadership of Wood
row Wilson have made effective epoch
al achievements which constitute a
practically completed program Of eco
nomic justice for laboring classes.
Great laws affecting terms and con.
ditions of employment have been re-
written to accord with the highest die
tates of modern conscience and eX-
perience. Administrative measures
have been adopted which expand the
hand-worker's zone of opportunity and
tend to improve the conditions under
which the laboring man and woman
work and live. Labor's new bill of
rights is safe-labor's entire cause is
safe-under Woodrow Wilson. But
suppose a change takes place to an
other and an entirely different sort of
federal administration, placing the en-
forcement OF the new laws and the
conduct of labor's new administration,
machinery in the hands of a
party which has fought practical
ly every one of the advances made in
labOrs behalf What then?
Essential chapters in the story of
the redemption of democratic pledges
to labor are:
l. Creation of the department of
labor.
>. Amendment of the antitrust
laws relative to organizations of labor
and farmers on the principle that the
labor of a human being is not a com.
modify or article of commerce
3 The prevention of the abuse of
the right of injunction in labor dis
putes by our federal courts
4. Restricting punishment for al
legged contempts of court and provid-
ing trial by jury in all cases of CON
tempt when the alleged act has not oc-
CURED within the immediate presence
of the court.
5. Specifically defining the things
that labor may do in furtherance of a
labor dispute.
6. Prohibiting the funds appropri-
ated for prosecution of violations of
the antitrust laws from being used to
prosecute labor and farmers organi-
cations for acts committed in further.
ance of the legitimate functions.
Z. The enactment of the seamen's
law giving sailors the right to cease
their employment when their vessel is
in safe port If the wages and work
ing conditions are not satisfactory to
them
s. Creation of permanent media
tion board to use the good offices of
the government in promoting adjust
ments of labor disputes on railroads
3. The establishment of an eight
hour law for woman and child-work-
ers in the District of Columbia.
10. An eight-hopr law for employ
ers engaged in operations under Alas
kan coal land act
IL. Construction of the Alaskan |
by the government instead of |
through contractors.
II. The agricultural extension act
and appropriations hereunder, pro-
'iding vocational education for farm
RS and residents in rural communi-
les.
10. Masters, mates and pilots on
'essels guaranteed the right to quit
When conditions are not satisfactory
o them.
II. Seven new safety stations and
en- new experiment stations provided
or the bureau of mines to enable II
o extend its work of labor safety.
10. An investigation into the great
dispute in the coal fields of
Vest Virginia by a committee of the
enate whereby peace was restored
16. Federal boiler inspection ex-
ended so as to apply to locomotive
ngines and tenders.
II. A committee of the house of
made an investigation
( the conditions existing in the Colo
ado coal fields and the Michigan cop
er region during the big strikes in
hose states.
IS. Imposition of an income tax in
onformity with the provisions of the
ecently adopted constitutional amend.
lent, placing the burden of taxation
pom the shoulders Of those best able
0 bear IL.
10. The establishment of mini
lum fine for the enforcement of the
ours Of service act OF 1907. applying
D railway employees, which had be-
ome practically imperative because
ne law provided a maximum fine but
o minimum for those who were con-
g =