New-York tribune., 1919-12-22
Republicans Ready to Act
On Every Workable
Measure That May Be Sent
To Legislature, He Says
Upholds Welfare Record
Predicts Democrats Will
Introduce Bills Designed
To s'Please Theorists

George A. Glynn, chairman Of the
Republican State Committee, In dis.
cussing yesterday the work Of the
coming Legislature at Albany, uttered
a challenge and pledge.
"The record of the Republican party
in this state for the enactment OF
sound welfare laws is unassailable,'
said he. II predict that every work
able measure that may be presented
this winter, or in succeeding winters
will be passed by the Republicans.
venture the suggestion, which is not
given in partisan or carping spirit
that our Democratic friends will, for
the sake of having something to talk
about afterward, cause to be intro
duced q number of measures the COM
ing winter, the passage Of which might
please a few high minded and disin-
terested theorists, but which. in the
long run, would not work for the wei
fare of the state as whole.
"The Republican party is in control
of the Senate and Assembly and re-
sponsible for the laws that will be
enacted this winter. AS somewhat OF
an outsider who is in touch with the
SCutiIiCllL VI tuC ANCPuOllCdIl IcduCIS III
octh houses, l predict that food legis
lation will meet with short shrift, but
that meritorious measures, by whom
soevcr offered, will receive a square
deal.
Long in Control of Legislature
"The Republican party has been ir
control of the Legislature continuous
ly since 1893, excepting that the Senate
in 1894 and from 1911 to 1914 and the
Assembly in 1911 and 1913 were Demo.
cratic. The Republicans can and mus,
take full credit for the record of steady
progress in enacting into law the con.
clusions reached by enlightened pub
lie opinion during those years. From
the beginning the Republican Legisla-
turc has had record for initiating
and putting OH the statute books legis-
lation which has accorded to labor the
benefits and privileges due to the i'm
portant part it plays in the industrial
structure and general prosperity OF
the state.
In 1896 Republican Legislature, ir
response to the suggestions of organ
ized workers, created the Factory IN
spectors' Bureau and the State Boarc
Of Mediation and Arbitration. A yeal
later the Republicans enacted the
Saturday half-holiday law The same
Legislature designated the first Monday
in September as Labor Day.
Labor Department Developed.
"Under Republican control the De
partment OF Labor was developed, the
workmen's compensation law passeC
and perfected. Under the law of 1919
the duties that devolved upon the for
mer Commissioner of Labor, and the
former Workmen's Compensation Com
mission were transferred to the Indus
trial Commission. This commission
has the power to make investigations
as to conditions generally. and is
charged with the enforcement Of the
labor laws and rules al regulations
The commission has power to make
rules and regulations for the benefit O.
labor and the betterment Of industrla
conditions, which when adopted by the
Industrial Council shall constitute the
industrial code, and may be enforced
in the same manner as the labor laws
"rhc eight-hour day and the prevail
ing rate of wages laws are so much ;
part of our present industrial system
that few people stop to consider tina
those measures were developed in thei
present form by Republicans.
Eight -Hour-Day Law Passed
"Under the constitutional amendmen
of 1905, Republican measure, a Re
publican Legislature passed laws pro
viding for the eight-hour day and tn
payment Of prevailing rates OF wage
to employees at work on public con
tracts The laws relating to employers
liability and workmen's compensation
leading up to the present humane an(
scientihc system, with its state inaur
ance fund, are the result of progressive