, 1925-01-21

income. Its possibilities of service
to the state, however, are countless,
Interstate stream Defense
The Seventeenth legislature at
. its special session held in July, 1928,
realizing that the states water rights
were endangered, authorized the
Governor to appoint a commission to
represent Wyoming in negotiating
with other states and with the fed
eral government and, II necessary,
to employ attorneys for the preser-
walton of these rights. Mr.. S. G..
Hopkins was appointed commission
er to represent the state under this
act.
l am happy to report that the
litigation which was threatened in
volving the waters of the North
Platte river was withheld pending
the organization of an interstate
commission which should endeavor
to achieve a settlement. The COM
mission was formed; composed of a
representative of each of the states
of Colorado. Nebraska and Wyom-
ing and q representative of the
United States. A compac has not
yet been agreed upon by this COM
mission, but satisfactory progress
has beef made.
Our commissioner is also engaged
in negotiations having for their
purpo a modification of the Colo
a River compact, so that 1t may
become effective among the six
states which have already ratified
it without waiting for action by
Arizona.
The waters of our state are
among its greatest assets. 1t is
extremely important that our rights
to them be maintained M defend
ed. favor continuing the effort
to accomplish this by agreement or
compact, but If that fails there
should be no faltering on our part
and vigorous action should be taken
to protect our rights in the courts.
OF the s25 100000 appropriated
for this work. only $~7,55s.6S have
portant that this appropriation be
maintained.
Problems of Labor
Recent d~eplorable disasters in
coal mines, resulting in an appall-
ing loss of life, blighting the hap
piness of SO many families and
%arousing the sympathy of all our
state. impress upon us our OBJ
legation to safeguard the lives of
men employed in such a perilous
industry by the adoption of the
most effective laws that can be de-
vised. While it is true that the latest
disaster took place in one of the
= most modern mines in the state,
one which was equipped with i'm
proved safety devices and while it
is true that the cause still remains
a complete mystery. nevertheless,
we cannot fail to realize that we
should overlook no opportunity to
render the occurrence of such ac-
cidents less frequent, If not impos-
sible.
1 urge upon you a comparison
of the laws of Wyoming with those
of other coal mining states wher
mine accidents have been reduced
to a minimum, with the object of
~embodying in our statutes such
provisions as wisdom and expert
ence indicate will be most effective
In safeguarding the lives of miners
The welfare of all w~age-earners
Is at all times a matter of utmost
Importance to the state. The ne
cessity of public control over the
hours of service of those engaged
in laborious work is recognized in
all progressive states, and its is
with regret that l have to point
out hat Wyoming has not kept
pace with other states in this re-
gard, particularly with respect to
the employment of women 1t is
only fair to our people to make it
clear that Wyoming is not an in
dustrial state and that the prob
lem has never been acute here.
But this will not excuse our on
tinued failure to enact proper leg
islation for the protection of those
women who are engaged in indus
try. The right of men to an un-
qualified eight hour day is no
where denied and / feel sure that
this legislature will not refuse to
women the same protection n
privilege granted to men. 1t is to
be hoped that women will not be
compelled to wage a long industrial
struggle before reaching the same
advantageous position that is now
enjoyed by men and which has
been achieved in large measure by
organization.
Wage-earners in common with
all the people of our state. particu-
larly agriculturalists. have suffered
from the general depression.
Nothing should be left undone
which the state may properly do
to give assistance. Under present