The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-02


| rely upon the inadequate and limited pow
| ers Of the states to regulate operations
which are carried on beyond state boun-
daries; that the problem IS one to be
treated and disposed of by federal action,
and that the power of the federal govern
ment is adequate to protect the people
against any misuse Of corporate power.
The president does not believe it neces-
sary to wait for a constitutional amend
ment before making a beginning, although
willing to concede that constitutional
amendment might aid by the enlarge
ment of the powers of congress in the. di-
rection in which further experience may
sion as remedy for trust evils, but urges
the treatment Of the trust question quite
apart from tariff revision, and this is I'M
doubtedly the ripest conclusion Of the best
Judgment Of the country on the subject
that in the main trust regulation must be
accomplished outside Of and beyond the
scope Of tariff influences, many trusts be-
ing entirely unaffected by tariff conditions.
Upon the subject of the revision of the
tariff, the presidents recommendations
are conservative and judicious. While
recognizing that the tariff is an instituz
ton to be treated from 1.-The standpoint
solely of our business needs" he would
take scrupulous care that there be no "dis-
location of our system" He urges consid-
Grafton Of the pending reciprocity treaties
and suggests that if it be impossible to
rat1fy them, and no warrant exists for the
endeavor to execute others, the same end
may be met by direct legislation. He
adheres to his recommendation Of tariff
commission, although he does not urge it
as an essential part of the machinery of
tariff revision. s..--.-
the president has taken no backward steps
since he stood bravely and firmly for the
Cuban reciprocity bill in the last session.
He cites the fact that, in sense, Cuba
has become a. part Of our international
political system, and this makes it neces-
sarys that in return she should be given
some Of the benefits Of becoming part
from our own standpoint a short sighted
and mischievous policy to fail to recog-
nize this need" He urges the moral obli-
cation also, and suggests the value Of
fair and generous treatment Of Cuba as
an assurance to all our sister nations on
the American continent that we are dis
interested and sincere friends.
In this message the president makes no
reference in detail to our foreign rela-
lions; those chapters usually given to
rehearsal of our relations with foreign
countries, reciting events that are gener-
ally well-known. are wisely omitted, but
In addition to the particular subjects al
ready referred to, he comnends to con-
gress consideration Of our monetary sys-
tenn, with a view of providing one more
automatic and more readily adjusted to
our varying needs. The relations of capt.
tai and labor are discussed in a. suggestive
and profitable vein. made. the more sig
nincant perhaps. by the recent participa-,
ton of the chief executive in the attempt
to settle the great coal strike. He urges
the creation of a department of COM
| merce; expresses satisfaction over the
practical operations of The Hague trib-
unal, urges progress on the isthmian canal
while giving the assurance that "no in
dependent nation in America need have
the slightest fear Of aggression from the
United States; expresses qualification. in
the satisfactory conditions obtaining in
the Philippines, and commends the army
for. its important service in this connec-
ton. The president urges Reorganization
Of the army in line with the recon-
|'mendations Of the secretary of war; and
impressively- presents to-. congress the
needs Of the navy, particularly from the
standpoint of efficient manning Of ships:
In battle, he says, ,'the only shots that
count are the shots that hit; while we
need more ships, we need more than more
ships-we need more men, more thorough
ly trained for their. work. This includes
both officers and men s..
Naturally the president would be ex-
ern affairs, and this adds Importance and
| value to his recommendations regarding
| irrigation and the land laws, the care of
the Indians and legislation for Alaska
The people of America think better of
Roosevelt than they did a year ago. He
has been tried. We believe this message
will still further strengthen the confidence
| Of the people on board our good ship of
state in the man at the helm. This mes
sage breathes the spirit Of action it
comes from a man who does things; con-
gress cannot but feel the stimulus to ac-
ton which pervades it.
= And yet it is all so calmly so iudici-
ously and SO wisely spoken, that we are
unable to see where any legitimate inter-
est can take exception, or how the in
! fuence of this important deliverance is to
have other effect than to strengthen pub
lie confidence; confidence not only in our
ability to utilize the most advanced
methods and systems. and devices in our
commercial and industrial world, but con-
fdence in our ability to protect ourselves
4 against harm from any of these powerful
and gigantic forces which we have in
voked and which peculiarly distinguish
Our age and civilization.
: A friend Of T. lie Journal takes ex-
I ception to the ideas Of Mr.. Bede, exploited
S,, fe