The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-06-26
REPUBLICANS PLAN LEGISLA-
TON FOR PLAIN CITIZENS

A@OSh OChoNC f1nu
House Considering New Proposals
Washington, June 24-The House
committee on labor, of which Repre-
sentative ]. NJ. C. Smith of Michigan,
is chairman, and the Senate commit
tee on education and labor, which is
now presided over by Senator Ken
yon, of Iowa, are veritable treasure
houses of proposed legislation which
is designed to improve the condition
of labor, to bring about a better I'M
derstanding between capital and
labor and to promote the prosperity
and contentment of the plain citizen.
Comprehensive plans are now we'll
in hand for bringing these measures
speedily to the attention of both
houses of Congress in such favorable
light that a considerable part of the
program will receive favorable ac-
ton at this session of Congress.
The Senate has already passed the
Kenyon bill extending the benefits of
the war risk insurance act to thou
sands of wounded soldiers who.
through rulings of the war risk bu-
reau, based upon various technical
points, have been excluded from these
benefits, and Senator Kenyon also
has before his committee a meas
ure extending the principle of this
act to men injured in industrial pur-
suits. This latter measure has met
with instant sympathy not only from
labor circles, but also from others
interested in welfare work, and the
Iowa senator will make every effort
to have it placed upon the statute
books during this session.
Another measure included in the
Republican labor program, and which
is receiving the attention of both
the House and Senate committees. is
one extending the scope of the pres
ent board of Cancellation and media
ton so that it will have broader
powers of investigation, and more
mutual representation, of labor and
capital, so that future labor difficult
les can more readily be settled with
out a resort to strikes and open
hostility. There will be no compuI-
sorry arbitration, but frequnt confer
ences between capital and labor diff
ticulties can be anticipated and a
solution found before these complete-
ly materialize.
Senator Kenyon is deeply inter-
ested in proposed legislation which
Will enable the citizen of moderate
means to own home, and to en-
courage this work legislation is being
shaped to provide housing commits
sions or home loan banks.
Il believe that legislation of this
sort" said Senator Kenyon to5av.
SIS our most effective protection from
bolshevism. Help man to own a
home, and he is contented."
The question of the adjustment of
public works so that conditions of
unemployment may be euualized
throughout the country will also be
considered by the Senate committee.
which has before it the bill intro
duced by Mr.. Kenyon providing for
the creation of a federal industrial
commission. This commission would
have the power to cooperate with all
Government departments which en-
ploys labor directly, or through the
purchase of materials in which large
elements of labor are involved. in
the proper adjustment throughout
the entire year of these labor oppor-
tunities. 1t is also proposed to es-
tablish permanent federal employ
ment Of Labor, Joint hearings on
this latter measure will be held next
week by the Senate and House COM
mittees.
Old age insurance will be given
consideration at this session of Con-
gress but the present plans call for
the enactment of legislation Great
ing a special commission to make a
thorough study of the subject and
to report to Congress its conclusions
on this subject.
The House committee is at pres
ent giving its attention to the Nolan
bill providing a minimum wage of
So per day, and to the federal en-
ployment bureau. Chairman Smith
has set high ideal for his com
mittee in urging upon it the great
necessity for bringing capital and
labor into closer accord, which he
believes can be done if Congress will
take up the subject in its broader
aspect and not give too much time
at this session to the consideration
of more incidental phases of the
greater question.
BUY w. S. S..