Evening journal., 1920-10-01

A'n - NNitttliNt0 hdilN uNHu'hf
and I think we an regret that the
methods to be pursued have been
allowed 10 fly without definite un-
derstanding Of their landing places.
Social Justice, like The phrase self
determination of free people" is a
slogan which sounds so well that the
world is beeniled away from decid-
ing what wise thing may be really
done about it
For my part, have no taste and
no conscience which will allow me
to talk to Americans with phrases
which ! myself can not define and
with a program which Is not prac-
teal and capable OF fulnlment.
Let us be practical in our ideal
ism. Let us plan the things we can
wisely do, and then do thdm.
Il believe that there is no step more
practical. no step which will mean
more TO The growth of Americas social
welfare: no Step which will guarantee
I better Americas social iustic. than
one which / now propose TO you.
Il would like TO point out TO all
America that there Is grave danger
kt hand when centralized expression
begins TO take from local communi-
/ ties all the burdens OF social cons
cience The best that humanity knows
comes up from the individual man and
woman throueh the sacred institu-
! tions Of the family and the home, and,
perhaps, finds It's most effective ap-
/ plication in the community where life
is personal, and where there Is not an
attempt 10 cut men and women 10 pat
tern and treat mankind as a wholesale
commodity.
II like to think OF an America. whose
/ spirit flows up from the bottom and
Is not handed down from the top.
| like 10 think that the virtue Of the
/ family is the combined virtue OF its
members and that the virtue OF
community is the combined standards
OF virtue or It's citizens. ! like to
think OF a nation, whose virtue Is the
combined virtue Of It's communities.
For such is America such may she
always bel
Up From the People.
$50 long as her expression flows up
from the people. and not down from
a centralized autocracy. however that
autOcracy may label itself. America
will live In an her virile strength.
When we create In Washington a
strong federal government and under
, take, even for the most Humanitarian
purposes, new federal burdens. let
us with all reverence pray that we
shall sever by this means put 10 sleep
the spirit, the sense OF duty, and the
activities OF the communities and
neighbOrhoods Of the United States.
/ raise these cautions, not because
am doubtful OF the wisdom or the
federal government doing all that II
can 10 conserve the human resources
hof the United States, but on .he con-
trary, because I believe we must move
forward upon a sure footing, with
out undertaking impractical or un-
wise programs which lead to disillu-
siOnment, and In the end retard, rather
than accelerate, the expression OF
American conscience and It's applica-
iion TO the welfare OF the American
with those cautions. however,
guiding ms, as we 90 forward, to
create, II possible, the right kind OF
federal machinery for social Justice,
we will feel more confidence In Great
ing a federal department or public
welfare. When making the proposal
for a department OF public welfare 70
| America, am aware that have made
a step in advance OF any platform.
J have chosen to speak to you on the
practical question-the question OF
} how 10 do the tasks we must do, the
things American conscience Is calllne
/ TO have done.
"Mn all KNOW lldN VIC AdIN Ahohr "
r social Justice. which we must under
e take with despatch and efficiency Whs
can suggest one OF these tasks whlcf
- can supersede In our hearts, or in M
81 rank which foresight and wisdom vii
, give. that OF the protection OF oul
o. maternity
! Protection OF Motherhood
5 'The protection OF the motherhood
% OF America can not be accomplished
luntil the state and the nation nave
? enacted and, by their example, nav,
Z enforced customs. which protec'
1 wOmanhood itself. ] know full wei
D that there are women who insist tha'
e women shall be treated upon The same
, basis that men are treated. The,
{ should have a right 10 take this posi-.
- ton In their own behalf, but ! insist
, that all true Americans must insist
% that no woman speaks for herself
% alone. She Is the possessor or oul
70 future, and though she becomes en-
% gagged In the tasks and services, o.
civilization, we must preserve 70 her
The right OF wholesome maternity.
D For Eight-IIour Day.
o 'There is a growing end a probabl,
k wise sentiment in America IN favol
g OF an eight-hour day everywhere 10
n women. The federal government
has sci the example In a policy whici
: looks towards the protection or ou
+ best human resources. Justice am
r. American standards demand tina
r. women. who are employed, shoul'
r. be paid a living wage, and II Is en-
p tireiy unfair 10 the state which ful
;. Ms It's obligations 10 humanity ln an
4 piece OF humanitarian legislation ar
b feeling industry. that states, by fail
S ing 10 perform their Obj 90
! tion, gain a temporary advantage II
h costs OF production. ! believe tha
- tone OF the principal functions OF Ia
d department OF public welfare will b
d to enlighten and educate local action
o so that we may have throughout on
n states an increasing sense OF Obliga
ton TO meet a national standard o
h social justice.
i u desire particularly 70 emphaslz