A strike in modern industry has many of the aspects of war in the modern world.  It injures labor and it injures capital.  If the industry involved is a basic one, it reduces the necessary economic surplus and, increasing the cost of living, it injures the economic welfare and general comfort of the whole people.  It also involves a deeper cost.  It tends to embitter and divide the community into warring classes and thus weakens the unity and power of our national life.

Labor can make no permanent gains at the cost of the general welfare.  All the victories won by organized labor in the past generation have been won through the support of public opinion.  The manifest inclination of the managers and employees of the railroads to adopt a policy of action in harmony with these principles marks a new epoch in our industrial life.

OUTLYING POSSESSIONS

The time has come for careful investigation of the expenditures and success of the laws by which we have undertaken to administer our outlying possessions.  A very large amount of money is being expended for administration in Alaska.  It appears so far out of proportion to the number of inhabitants and the amount of production as to indicate cause for thorough investigation.  Likewise consideration should be given to the experience under the law which governs the Philippines.  From such reports as reach me there are indications that more authority should be given to the Governor General, so that he will not be so dependent upon the local legislative body to render effective our efforts to set an example of the, sound administration and good government, which is so necessary for the preparation of the Philippine people for self-government under ultimate independence.  If they are to be trained in these arts, it is our duty to provide for them the best that there is.

RETIREMENT OF JUDGES

The act of March 3, 1911, ought to be amended so that the term of years of service of judges of any court of the United States requisite for retirement with pay shall be computed to include not only continuous but aggregate service.

MOTHERS’ AID

The Government ought always to be alert on the side of the humanities.  It Ought to encourage provisions for economic justice for the defenseless.  It ought to extend its relief through its national and local agencies, as may be appropriate in each case, to the suffering and the needy.  It ought to be charitable.

Although more than 40 of our States have enacted measures in aid of motherhood, the District of Columbia is still without such a law.  A carefully considered bill will be presented, which ought to have most thoughtful consideration in order that the Congress may adopt a measure which will be hereafter a model for all parts of the Union.