The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-12-13

It, many Naneful consequences, ana :
reeoluta and practical effort must ~
made to correct these evils. Z
Great corporations exist only becauee
they arc created and safeguarded by our
institutions. and It 10 therefore our right
harmony with those institutions. n
The president says that publicity IL the
only sure remedy we can now invoke.
What further remedies are needed In the
way OF governmental regulation or tax
alton can only be determined after pub,
licity has been obtained by process OF law
and in the course Of administration. The
government. he thinks, should be given
the right to inspect the workings Of the
great corporations engaged in interstate
business. 4
Owing to the lack of uniformity In
state laws, It has been impossible to- get
adequate regulation through state con-
troll. President Roosevelt thinks that In
the interest Of the whole people the ma
ton should, without interfering with the
power Of the states in the matter itself,
assume power Of supervision and regu-
lation over all corporations doing an in
terstate business. If the judgment of
congress is that it lacks the constitution
al power to pass an act along these lines.
the president then favors the adoption OF
q constitutional amendment conferring
such rights. :.
The president recommends the creation.
of an additional cabinet officer to be
known as secretary of commerce and In
dustries, whose province it would be to
deal with commerce in its broadcast sense.
Tho welfare of the wageworker the
president places next in Importance as
matter Of public concern to that of the
farmer. The president discusses various
matters of vital Importance in this con-
nection. Among his recommendations for
1,,t AI0&k to- ~
first the enactment Of the Chinese exclu-
sion act, which he strongly urges; pro-
lection against imported. contract labor;
&c render effective the efforts OF statas
to do away with competition of convict
contract labor in the open market; Wig
orous enforcement of the eight-hour law
on government work.
Tho president points out defects in our
immigration laws, and recommends the
adoption of stringent measures to exclude
anarchists, ,illiterate persons and persons
OF low moral tendency.
The tariff next claims the attention Of
the president. On this subject he says:
There Is general acquiescence in our
present tariff system as a national policy.
The first requisite to our prosperity is the
continuity and stability sof this economic
policy. Nothing could be more unwisc
than to disturb the business intere SITS Of
the country by any general tariff change
at this time. Our experience in the past
has shown that sweeping revisions in the
tariff are apt to produce conditions close
ly approaching a panic in the business
world. Yet it is not only possible. but
evidently desirable. to combine with the
Stability OF our economic system q sup
Elementary system of reciprocal benefit
and obligation with other nations. Sucn
reciprocity is an incident and result of
the firm establishment and preservation
In
tty' must be treated as the handmaiden
OF protection. Our first duty is to see
that the protection granted by the tariff
IN every case where 1t is needed is main
tanned. and that reciprocity be sought for
so far as it can safely be done without
injury to our home industries. Just how
Tar this is practicable must be de-
ternined according to the individ-
ual case. remembering always that
every application Of our tariff pol
Icy to meet our shifting national needs
must be conditioned upon the cardinal
fact that the duties must never be re-
duced below the point that will cover the
diHerence between the labor cost here AMI
abroad. The well being of the wage
worker Is a prime consideration of our
entire policy of economic legisla ton We
have now reached the point in the devel-
opnent of our interests where we are not
only able to supply our own markets. but
TO produce constantly growing surplus
for which we must find markets abroad
To secure these markets we can utilize
existing duties in any case where they
are no longer needed for the purpose of
protection. or in any case where the ar
tlcle Is not produced here and the duty
10 no longer necessary for revenue, as
giving US something to offer in exchange
for what we ask.
The condition of the American mer-
chant marine is such as 10 call Cor i'm
mediate action by congress. The presi-
oent says it should be made advantageous
TO carry American goods in American
built ships. The disadvantages under
which American shipping is placed when
put dn competition with the shipping
of foreign countries is pointed out and
congress is asked to pass remedial lesis-
lation.
In discussing the country,s finances the
president says that the passage of the
law making gold the standard money has
been shown to be timely and judicious.
Changes in the national banking law are
urged the collections from duties ON i'm
ports and internal taxes continue to ex-
ceed the ordinary expenditures of the
government, thanks mainly to the re-
duced army expenditures, and the presi-
dent suggests that means be adopted to
bring the revenues more nearly within
tn limit of our actual needs. Strict econ
omy in expenditures is specially urged
upon congress.
The president strongly recommends that
changes be made in the interstate COM
merce law looking to the prevention Of
discrimination in railroad rates.
The question of forestry comes in for
a generous share of the presidents at
tention. and he makes; suggestions for
the extension and protection Of forest
reserves.
The president goes deeply into the cues