Jane Addams Sees Progressive Aims Attained [Through] President
(EDITOR'S NOTE -- Jane Addams, Hull House, Chicago, is one of the world's greatest women. In 1912 she was one of the most enthusiastic delegates to the Progressive Convention that nominated Roosevelt, and she supported him with all her ardor. That Jane Addams, whose sincerity and disinterestedness in the cause of the plain people are beyond question, gives her approval of the progressive laws enacted during the Wilson administration is of great significance.)
By Jane Addams
In 1912 many of us became members of the Progressive Party, not only because we believed that the correction of abuses inevitably developed by an uncontrolled [image] Jane Addams. industrialism should become a vital issue in federal politics, but also because we were convinced this modern type of remedial legislation could be accomplished only [through] a new party.
Because of this belief I, at least, was quite unprepared for the distinctive period in American politics developed under the brilliant party leadership of President Wilson, when important federal measures were constantly passed for the national adjustment of nationwide problems.
The present administration comes before the country with a social program that carries assurance because of a record of pledges fulfilled and a series of legislative achievements not equaled by any other administration. Prominent among its contributions to social and industrial justice are these:
It has been established as a matter of law that labor is not to be considered a mere commodity or article of commerce.
The seamen have been made free men and have been given the right, previously denied, to leave their employment when conditions become intolerable.
The products of child labor have been excluded from interstate commerce.
The most liberal workmen's compensation law in the world has been enacted, affecting 400,000 federal [employees].
The principle of the eight-hour day has been recognized.
The rural credits bill and the Federal Reserve Act are contributions to the welfare of the entire country.
This administration has made certain distinct advances toward more rational international relations:
(a) Treaties with 30 nations have been signed which provide for a year's delay and investigation of matters at issue before diplomatic relations are severed.
(b) The repeal of the toll exemptions for American ships in the Panama Canal was a recognition of the principle of fair dealing among nations, which may be a first tentative step toward the internationalization of such highways of the sea as the Dardanelles, the Panama, Suez and Kiel canals.
(c) Determination, in spite of almost insuperable difficulties and obvious blunders, to permit the Mexicans to work their way to self-government without recourse to the old imperialistic method of sending soldiers into a weaker nation, first to police property and then to become an army of occupation.
(d) During the past four years the Pan-American Union has been strengthened and made more genuine. The importance of this is not merely local, for this union has seemed to distressed and bewildered students of internationalism in Europe to offer an example of the kind of machinery for international action which is not inconsistent with a sound nationalism.
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