Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-19

THE federal act prohibiting child labor,
the first one in American history
The workmen's compensation act to pro-
vide uniform. compensation for government
employees when disabled and adequate benefits
for their families in of death.
THE establishment of federal employ
ment bureau. In its first year no less than
25,645 employers filed application for 1O7,-
331 workers. and in the period 1S4,O32
persons applied for work of whom S4,963
were referred to employment and 1916 were
actually employed.
THE seamen's act, which abolishes So
called involuntary servitude, provides better
treatment of seamen and improves the life
saving provisions vessels at sea.
THE eight-hour provision approved for
employees under the Alaska coal land act
Bureau of mines act extended and
strengthened. Ten experiment stations
and seven new safety stations provided
Vocational education provided for soldiers
in the United States army.
THE prohibition of intoxicating liquors
for officers as we'll as enlisted men on the
warships of the United States navy OF this
Admiral Dewey says: A good thing. Every
roalroad, every great corporation has long had
an iron-clad rule forbiddng to drink
while on duty. Isn't ship as important
locomotive? Practically every European
power has copied this order
1.-The Adamson act providing for a basic
eight-hour day for railroad trainmen. conduc-
tors, fremen and engineers"
Either the economic program or the social bet
terment program which the Wilson administration
has carried out would be epochal; but in addition
to them, it has put through the most far-reaching
program of national defense in American history.
The navy has been increased by one hundred and
twenty-one authorized warships The regular army
Al
eralization of the National Guard a formidable
second line of defense has been provided The
total amount appropriated by the Wilson admin
istration for the construction of ships is $685.
2S9,SO6. The total for this purpose during Roose-
velt's four years $S3,192,93S, and during
Taft's four years S127,747113. Thus in a little
more than three years the Democrats authorized
more than three times as much for the upbuildng
of the navy than the Republicans authorized in
eight years.
The Wilson administration has had to cope
with the most difficult and dangerous problems
that ever confronted American diplomacy. Time
and again during the past two years the country
has been threatened with war, but its peace has
been preserved with honor and its rights have been
steadfastly upheld. The greatest military Power
in the world has been constrained to abandon sub
marine ruthlessness and to square its conduct in
this respect with international law and humane
principles Because it has not clustered, the ad-
ministration is censured by the jingoes; and be-
cause it has not cringed, it is censured by the
Hyphens. But because it has kept the country at
peace in the midst of world conflict and has done
without sacrifice of principle or honor it is ap
proved by the rank and file of the people.
The Mexican problem has been handled with a
view to the highest duties we'll as the broadcast
interests of the United States In refusing to
recognize the assassin Huerta Mr.. Wilson strength
ened the cause of constitutional government
throughout Latin America, and in refusing despite
the clamor of selfish interests, to make
bankrupt and broken neighbor he lifted the United
States to a higher plane of national morality. Re-
iations between the United States and Latin
america we're never so cordial as nova fact due
very largely to the Presidents Mexican policy. Mr.
Hughes bitterly attacks that policy but interest
ingly enough, he does not say what he himself
would have done IN the face of the same re-
sponsibilities.
The Wilson administration has to it's credit
other useful measures policies of diplomatic
Importance, notably the NicauTaguan treaty giving
the United States naval base in the Pacific
and safeguarding its interests in the isthman
canal; the Danish West Indies treaty which, when
formally ratified by Denmark, will transfer to
American ownership islands of great strategic
value; the establishment of a protectorate over
Hayti; the maintenance of friendly relations with
Japan despite the California anti-Japanese agita-
ton; and new peace treaties with twenty
foreign countries.
Judged by its record in domestic affairs, the
Wilson administration has done more in the way
of business legislation, more for agriculture, more
for social betterment more for national defense
than any of its predecessors in the last half CEN
fury; and judged by its record in foreign affairs,
it has established policies and achieved Results that
will bulk large in all future stages of American
history
Grade CROSSINGS.