is by no means equal pay
for equal work, except in New York, money is saved by employing women.
I think that it is the student of arts (that English title which is as
vague and unmeaning as the Scottish one of humanities)--student of
ancient classical literature--who, whether man or woman, has least
perception of the modern spirit or sympathy with the sorrows of the
world. With all honour to the classical authors, there are two things
in which they were deficient--the spirit of broad humanity and the
sense of humour. All ancient literature is grave--nay, sad. It is also
aristocratic for learning was the possession of the few. While writing
this narrative I came upon a notable thing done by Miss Crystal
Eastman, a member of the New York Bar, and Secretary of the State
Commission on Employers' Liability. It is difficult for us to
understand how so many good things are blocked, not only in the Federal
Government, but in the separate States, by the written constitutions.
In Great Britain the Constitution consists of unwritten principles
embodied either in Parliamentary statutes or in the common law, and
yields to any Act which Parliament may pass, and the judiciary can
impose no veto on it. This is one reason why England is so far ahead of
the United States in labour legislation. Miss Eastman was the principal
speaker at the annual meeting in January, 1910, of the New York State
Bar Association. She is a trained economic investigator as well as a
lawyer, and her masterly analysis of conditions under the present
liability law held close attention, and carried conviction to many
present that a radical change was necessary. The recommendations for
the statute were to make limited compensation for all accidents, except
those wilfully caused by the victim, compulsory on all employers. With
regard to dangerous occupations the person who profits by them should
bear the greatest share of the loss through accident. As for the
constitutionality of such legislation Miss Eastman said--"If our State
Constitution cannot be interpreted so as to recognise such an idea of
justice then I think we should amend our Constitution. I see no reason
why we should stand in such awe of a document which expressly provides
for its own revision every ten years." The evils against which this
brave woman lawyer contends are real and grievous. Working people in
America who suffer from injury are unmercifully exploited by the
ambulance-chasing lawyers. Casu