?
,
The Commoner
SEPTEMBER, 1916
20
Two Social Justice Platforms
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The. so-called "social and industrial
justice" plank of the bull moose, na
tional platform of 1912 was as fol
lows: "We pledge ourselves to work un
ceasingly to state and nation for:
"The fixing of modern safety and
health standards for the various oc
cupations. "The prohibition of child labor;
minimum wage standards for work
ing women to provide a living wage
in all industrial occupations.
"The general prohibition of night
work for .women and the establish
ment of an eight-hour day for wo
men and young persons.
"One day's rest in seven for all
wage workers.
"The eight-hour day in continuous
24-hour industries.
"The abolition of the convict con
tract system.
"Publicity as to wages, hours and
conditions of labor, etc.
"We pledge our party to establish
a department of labor with a seat in
the cabinet."
This plank, dictated by Mr. Roose
velt to 'get back into office again,
contains few specifications to which
he had committed himself When he
held the presidency and possessed the
presidency's power of accomplish
ment. How "unceasingly" ho and
some other Bull Moosers were pre
pared to "work for" them is seen by
the promptness with which the whole
platform was abandoned when he
judged his political interests would
be better served by a return to the
republican fold.
But the Wilson platform, not of
social justice promises, but' of ac
complished social justice actualities,
includes the important declaration of
the Clayton law that "the labor pow
er of a human being is not a corn
commodity or ari. article of com
merce." It includes the appointment, un
der a law initiated by a democratic
house, of the first secretary of labor
who sat in the federal cabinet.
It includes a drastic law prohibit
ing child labor by forbidding passage
to the products of such labor across
state lines.
It includes a federal compensation
act now in the advanced stages of
legislation.
It includes the passage of a law
greatly ameliorating the condition of
American seamen, a law whose bene
ficial influence has already extended
to the merchant marines of other na
tions. Contrast the abandoned Roosevelt
declaration for an eight-hour, day for
women and children and plans oper
ating continuously for 24 hours with
Mr. Wilson's declaration for eight
hours for all workers:
"I have, recommended concession
of the eight-hour day that is, the
substitution of an eight-hour day for
the present 10-liour day in all the
existing practices and agreements. I
made this recommendation because I
belieye the concession right. The
eight-hour day now undoubtedly has
the sanction of the judgment of so
ciety in its favor and should be
adopted as a basis for wages, even
where the actual work to be done
can not be completed within eight
hours." il
Through the platform 'of prom
ises runs a theory of benefliient pater
nalism, of guardianship?1 frWs'r the
weaker and more unfortuif0x mem
bers of the industrial ,artifybt pol
icies framed to meet thete$feptional
casas quly. . . . '" ' ri y
The platform of accomplishment,
while making even greater provision
in this direction, has as its theory the
doing of true social justice by add
ing to the dignity and" rewards of la
bor, by giving it increased strength
to Btand alone, by lessening its de
pendence through making it more
independent.
We all of us have long appreciated
how immeasurably the eight-hour
day would enlarge the opportunities
and widen the horizon of the ambi
tious toiler. If we have exaggerated
the difficulties in the way of its gen
eral adoption, those difficulties are
admittedly very great.
It took courage in a President of
the United States to declare for it so
unequivocally. A president knows
even better than the aVeragcitizen
the power of wealth, tlwf archaic
prejudices of many large employers,
the tenacity and resourcefulness of
big business.
But in his declaration Mr. Wilson
struck a heavy blow at socialistic
propaganda in the current year. Mr.
Benson will hardly poll that 1,600,
000 votes. He may be satisfied if he
commands the usual Debs support.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Chas. W. Masterson, democratic
candidate for congress, presents the
following statement of principles
for the consideration of the voters of
the 4th district, state of Washing
ton: I believe in the principles of free
government, and as the democratic
party, in my opinion, affords the
best present medium through which
these principles may find expression,
I pledge fealty to that party and
support of its platform.
I believe that Wobdrow Wilson is
"the man Of the hour." That the
present administration has lived uf
to its pre-election pledges, satisfied
every reasonable demand and justi
fies renewed confidence and support.
I will, if elected, without subserv
iency, sustain tho President.
The recent mobilization of our
national guard has demonstrated the
inadequacy and inefficiency of our
military establishment. Experience,
no doubt, will point out its defects
and suggest the remedy. Congress
should, by general appropriation, and
by statute, stand back of the Execu
tive in an earnest endeavor to afford
just that degree of military pre
paredness that would afford, a "first
line of defense" in time of stress,
and yet not be-a menace in time of
peace. ,. s
I believe in the conservation of
natural resources. Will, if elected,
earnestly endeavohr to secure a more
just, therefore larger, share of fed
eral aid in the reclamation of our
arid domain and reforestation of
our denuded umoer lanus.
The experience of the state of
Washington has exemplified the wis
dom of universal suffrage. I will,
therefore, favor the submission of
an amendment to the federal consti
tution, extending tho franchise to
women.
I served in the 13th and 14th
general legislative assembly, and am
willing to stand on the record made
therein "the man who never missed
a roll call or dodged an issue."
SURPLICE AND SURPLUS
A minister came to the Episcopal"
Church,- at: Williarasport, ra., 10
"Do you wish to wear a surplice?"
asked the rector.
"Surplice!" cried the visitor. Sur
plice! I-am a Methodist. What do I
know about-surplices?. All I know
about is a-deficit!": .New Tork
Evening Post. .
Does Prohibition Prohibit?
GOVERNOR CAPPER OF KANSAS SAYS IT DOES
in m
Ho Also Says tlie So-Called "Nebraska ProHperJty League Is a Com-
mon Liar
Hero is one more positivo answer to tho Ilea which tho "Ne--braska
Prosperity League" has been publishing about conditions in
Kansas. Governor Capper ought to know something about Kansas.
Hear him:
STATE OP KANSAS
ARTHUR CAPPER, GOVERNOR
TOPEKA August 19, 1910
Mr. W. T. Thompson, Nebraska Dry Federation, ""
Ganter Building, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Dear Sir:
"I have your letter of August 12th enclosing an article pub
lished by the Nebraska Prosperity League in tho Omaha Bee and
Omaha World-Herald, in which I am quoted as making certain com
ment on the bootlegging liquor business in Kansas. This purported
interview with mo is absoluto fiction. I have made no such state
ments to tho St. Louis Post-Dispatch or anyone else.
"Since this state closed its doors to the liquor business a never
ending campaign of falsehood has been conducted by the liquor in
terests of eastern states. With scarcely an excoption not one truth
ful assertion has been published by the whisky dealers about the
situation in Kansas. Tho wonder in my mind has always been what
strange sort of mentality is responsible for this particlular kind of
mendacity. I have marveled at the assurance which has led the liquor
interests to suppose that their vicious misrepresentations would not
bo discovered untrue. So palpably false have been their charges as
to the operation of the prohibitory law in Kansas that liquor deal
ers' publicity has proved a boomerang in almost overy state where
they have conducted that kind of a campaign.
"I am writing a letter to tho Omaha papers informing them
that the advertisement of the Nebraska Prosperity League has no
foundation so far as I am concerned.
"Very respectfully,
(Signed) "ARTHUR CAPPER, Governor."
The day of brewery deception in Nebraska is ncaring the even
ing hours. The day of brewery debauchery of the politics of Ne
braska is dying, and the dawn of the new day of Nebraska's freedom
from brewery control is very near. Perhaps the policy of lying on ;
T)art of the "Nebraska Prosperity League" is helping the day tp"
come sooner than expected.
THE PLATTE COUNTY (NEBR.) PROSPERITY LEAGUE
.Organized to plead the cause of good government, and to brighten
' " tho faces of the children whoso lives have been blighted by the
curse of booze. Published in the Columbus (Nebr.) Telegram.
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