Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-12-03

W1t0n010lng OF f0ooStuHS anu otncl
necessaries Of life cannot otherwise
be effectively prevented. Thsre can
be no doubt of either the necessity or
the legitimacy of such measures.
As I pointed out in my last mes
sage. publicity can accomplish great
deal In this campaign. The aims OF
the government must be clearly
brought to the attention Of the con-
Stunning public. civic organizations
and state officials. who are in po-
sition to lend their assistance to our
efforts. You have made available
funds with which to carry on this
campaign. but there is no provision
in the law authorizing their expendi-
ture for the purpose OF making the
public fully informed about the ef-
forts OF the governmept. Specific
recommendation has been made by
the attorney general in this regard
1 would strongly urge upon you its
immediate adoption, as it constitutes
one of the preliminary steps to this
campaign.
Need Of Cold Storage Law
I also renew my recommendation
that the Congress pass q law regu-
lating cold storage as it Is regu-
lated. for example. by the laws OF
the state of New Jersey. winch limit
the time during which goods may be
kept in storage, prescribe the meth
cd Of disposing Of them il kept be-
yond the permitted period ana re-
quire that goods released from stor-
age shall in all cases bear the date OF
their receipt. 1t would materially add
to the serviceability of the law, for
the purpose we now have in view, X
it were also prescribed that all goods
released from storage for interstate
shipment should have plainly mark
ed upon each package the selling Or
market price at which they went into
storage. BY this means the purchas-
er would always be able to learn what
profit stood between him ana the pro-
Queer or the wholesale dealer.
1 would also renew my recommen-
dalton that all goods destined for
interstate commerce should in every
case. where their form or package
makes its possible, be plainly marked
with the price at which they left the
hands of the producer.
I'VE should formulate lew re-
auiring federal license of all COR
rorations engaged in interstate COM
merce and embodying in the license.
or in the conditions under which it is
to be issued. specific regulations de-
signed to secure competitive selling
and prevent uncomfortable profits
in the method Of marketing. Such a
law would afford a welcome oppor-
tun;ty to effect other much needed
reform in the business of interstate
shipment and In the methods Of
corporations which are engaged in
It: but for the moment I confine my
recommendation to the object fmme-
diately in hand, which is to lower the
cost Of living.
Labor Problems
Nc one who has observed the
march Of events in the last year can
fail to note the absolute need Of a
definite program. to bring about an
improvement m the conditions Of la
Dor. There can be no settled condi-
tons leading to increased production
and a reduction in the cost of living
If labor and capital are to be antag-
oflists instead Of partners. Sound
thinking and an honest desire to
serve the interests of the whole ma
ton, as distinguished from the in
terest Of a class, must be applied
to the solution of this great and
pressing problem. The failure OF
other nations to consider this mat
ter in a serious way, has produced
bitterness and jealousies and antag-
opisms. the food of radicals. The only
way to keep men from agl.a,ing
against grievances is to remove the
grievances. An unwillingness even to
discuss these matters produces only
dissatisfaction and gives comfort to
the extreme elements in our country,
which endeavor to stir up disturb
ances in order to provoke govern
ments to embark upon q course Of re-
taliation and repression. The seed Of
revolution is repression. The remedy
for these things must not be mega
tive in character. 1t must be con.
structive. 1t must comprehend the
general interest. The real antidote for
the unrest which manifests itself is
not suppression, but deep consider
alton Of the wrongs that beset our
national life and the application Of
remedy.
Congress has already shown it's
willingness to deal with these Indus
trial wrongs by establishing the s.
hour day as the standard in every
field Of labor. It has sought to find
a way to prevent child labor. It has
Served the whole country by leading
the way in developing the means Of
preserving ana safeguarding lives
and health in dangerous industries. II
must now help in the difficult task
Of fnding q method that will bring
about a genuine democratisation of
industry. based on the full recosni.
ton Of the right Of those who work,
in whatever rank, to participate in
some organic way in every decis.
ions which directly affects their vel.
fare. 1t Is with this purpose in mind
that called q conference to meet in
Washington on Dec. 1 to consider
these problems in all their broad as
poets, with the idea Of bringing about
a better understanding between these
two interests.
labor's Rights
The great unrest throughout the world
out OF which has emerged q demand for
an immediate consideration of the din
culties between capital and labor. bids
us put our own house in order. Frankly
there can be no permanent and lasting
settlements between capital and labor