Evening star., 1938-09-05


laws. Thanks to the pioneering of
young Maryland legislator, the
first Workmen's Compensation Act
ever to be passed in the United
States was adopted by Maryland.
Ten years later, 1, following his
lead, was helping to pass q work.
mems compensation law through
the Legislature OF the State OF
New York.
But what I want to emphasize
is that workmens compensation
laws are not for the sole benefit of
workmen injured in industry. They
confer q definite benefit on farmers
because the injured industrial
worker is able to get his compen-
sation and continue to buy food
for himself and his family.
Later on in the halls Of Wash
ington young Congressman pushed
and pleaded until he got a parcel
post law on the statute books Of
the United States. That parcel post
law was Of principal benefit to those
who in every State lived on r. F. D.
routes. But 1t was not for their
benefit alone, for it helped their
brothers and sisters who worked
In the cities Of the country.
And that young Congressman
was the same Maryland legislator
of earlier days.
Many years later it became clear
that the problem Of dependent old
age was trying one, that the
States and the Federal Govern
ment, that employers and employees
should come together to pass
Nationwide old-age pension and
unemployment insurance act. Once
again the Representative from the
Free State of Maryland took the
lead and. thanks to his pioneering,
decent security of life is assured
to millions Of our people.
1t is the privilege of some Of us
to dream dreams. and some OF us
to carry out the dreams of others.
But in Maryland you are fortunate
in having q man who not only has
seen visions, but has lived to make
his dreams come true.
Symbol Of Farm and City.
He symbolizes for the farm and
the city alike the inherent human
lty OF the man who rises from
humble circumstances, and the in
herent ability to grow in vision
and effectiveness in the fertile soil
OF American opportunity and the
American tradition of equality.
1t is suggestive that he has never
forgotten that he learned to read
and write at the knee of Christian
minister in Sunday school. And
that Is why perhaps he has lived the
life OF the Good\ d\Samaritan-and
has not passed by on the other side.
You in Maryland will shortly
vote In = primary. The choice in
all parties is solely yours-that goes
without saying. But may 1 express
the hope that the choice will be the
choice Of all who are entitled to Vote
in the primaries-not the choice of
group, an Organization" group
or an "anti-organizatio ton" group,
not the choice Of only part Of the
voters either in city or in country,
but the choice Of all who have the
right to make the choice.
At time Of grave internationa
troubles in many parts of the world.
the best contribution that we at
home can make to our own Sc
curity Is to eliminate quickly all
feelings Of injustice and insecurity
throughout our country. For our
own safety We cannot afford to fol-
low those in public life who quote
the golden rule and take no steps
to bring it closer.
AS President, I have willingly
defended the interests of each of
the Nations great groups to the
others, even If the others were
critical. I have been just as glad
to defend business to labor and
agriculture and to defend labor to
business and agriculture, as 1 have
been to defend agriculture to labor
and business. That Is part OF my
public duty.
Times Test the Union,
When I became President found
country demoralized and disor-
ganized, with each of these groups
seeking to survive by taking advan-
tage OF the others. As in the time
OF George Washington in 1887,
when there was grave danger that
the States would never become a
Nation-as in the time of Abraham
Lincoln. when a tragic division
threatened to be lasting-our own
time has brought q test of our
American Union.
A big part Of my duty as Presi-
dent has been to do what I could
to bring our people together again.
That has been my unchanging
purpose since March L., 1888.
The great test for US in our time Is
whether all the groups of our peo-
pie are willing to work together for
continuing progress.
Such progress comes from the
rank and file Of our citizens, and
through the representatives Of their
free choice-representat willing
to cooperate, to get things done
in the true spirit Of give and
take"-not representatives who
seek every plausible EXCUSE for
blocking action.
What or any one man do is Of
small moment compared with what
the people do. In this effort to
preserve our democracy and our
Union. I am confident that all who
labor in field and factory will carry
on the good work
This is our high purpose on this
Labor Day Of 1888. ..