Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

does not. to my mind warrant rewr.t-
ing OF the whole law, but does mean. and
the required investigation shows that in
eQualities of sufficient Importance exist
IN any schedule. the power to change
them should and will be applied.
Shipping.
The entire well-being OF our country is
dependent upon transportation by sea and
land. Our government during the war
acquired large merchant fleet which
should be transferred, as soon as pos
sible. to private ownership and operation
under conditions which would secure two
results: First and of prime Importance.
adequate means for national defense. Sec
merce. Until shipping conditions are such
chat our fleet can be disposed OF advan-
tageously under these conditions. it will
be operated as economically as possible
under such plans as may be devised
from time TO time by the shipping board.
We must have a merchant marine which
meets these requirements. and we shall
nave to pay the cost OF Its service.
Public improvements.
The time has come to resume in mod
crate way the opening OF our intra-
coastal waterways; the control of flood wa
ters of The Mississippi and Of the Colora-
ways from the Great Lakes toward the
Gulf of Mexico, and the development of
the great power and navigation project of
the St Lawrence river. for which efforts
essary treaty with Canada These prof.
ects cannot all be undertaken at once.
but All should have the immediate con-
sideration of the congress and be adopt
ed as fast as plans can be matured and
the necessary funds become available.
Railroads.
Criticism OF the railroad law has
been directed. first. to the section lay
ing down the rule by which rates are
the government and use OF excess earn
fngs; second, to the method for the
adjustment OF wage scales: and third
lions.
1t has been enormously assumed that
the act undertakes to guarantee rail-
road earnings, The law REQUIRES that ,a
That has always been the rule under
which rates have been fixed. TO make
rate that does not yield fair return
results in confiscation, and confiscatory
rates are Of course unconstitutional.
Unless the government adheres to the
rule of making rate that will yield
making altogether. The new and Inn
portant feature of that part of the law
Is the recapture and redistribution OF
excess rates. The ,constitutionality of
court for adjudication. Their decision
should be awaited before attempting
further legislation, on this subject.
Furthermore. the Importance OF this
ton goes into effect.
The settlement of railroad labor dis
putes is a matter Of grave public CON
Germ. The labor board was estab-
lished to protect the public in the en-
joyment OF continuous service by at
tempting to insure justice between the
companies and their employees. 1t has
been q treat help. but is not altogether
satisfactory to the public. the employ
ees. or the companies. II substantial
agreement can be reached among the
or int al oh. -
hesitation In enacting such agreement
into law. II IL is not reached, the
labor board may very well be left for
the present to protect the public well
fare.
Department Of Justice.
As no revision of the laws of the
United States has been made since 1878.
commission OF committee should be
created to undertake this work. The
judicial council reports that two more
district judges are needed in the south
ern district Of New York, one in the
northern district of Georgia. and two
more circuit judges In the Circuit Court
of Appeals of the Eighth circuit. Leg
islation should be considered for this
purpose.
The national government has never
given adequate attention to it's prison
problems. 1t ought to provide employ
ment In such forms OF production as
s seS S'f 70 * h puc aGS
with private business, for all prisoners
who can be placed at work, and for
which they should receive reasonable
Prohibition.
lne prohibition amendment to the
Constitution requires the congress and
the President to provide adequate laws
to prevent it's violation. II Is my duty
pose a treaty Is being negotiated with
Great Britain with respect to the right
of search OF lowering vessels. To pre-
vent smuggling the coast guard should
be greatly strengthened, and a supply
of swift power boats should be pro-
vided The major sources Of produce
every effort should be made to suppress
interstate traffic With this action on
the part Of the national government,
and the cooperation which is usually
rendered by municipal and state au-
thorities. prohibition should be made
effective. Free government has no
greater menace than disrespect for
authority and continual violation of
law. 1t is the duty Of a citizen not
only to observe the law but to let 1t
be known that he is opposed to its
violation
The Negro.
Numbered among our population are
some 100000 colored people. Under
our Constitution their rights are just
as sacred as those OF any other citizen.
It is both a public and private duty
COS
ought to exercise all its powers of pre-
vention and punishment against the
hideous crime OF lynching, OF which
the negroes are by no means the sole
sufferers, but for which they furnish
a majority of the victims
Regulatory Legislation.
Cooperation with other maritime pow
ers is necessary for complete protection
of our coast waters from pollution. Plans
for this are under way, but await certain
experiments for refuse disposal Mean
time laws prohibiting spreading oil and
oil refuse from vessels in our own terri
torial waters would be most helpful
, against this menace and should be speed
lily enacted.
Laws should be passed regulating avi-
alton.
Revision Is needed OF the laws regulat-
ing radio interference.
Army and Navy.
For several years we have been de-
creasing the personnel of the army and
navy. and reducing their power to the
danger point Further reductions should
not be made. The army Is guarantee
of the security of our citizens at home
| the navy IL a guarantee Of the security
| of our citizens abroad Both of these
| services should be strengthened rather
than weakened. Additional planes are
| needed for the army, and additional sub
| marines for the navy
=