The Dolores star., 1903-12-11

President Rosevelt's message to the
second session of the Fiftyeighth Con-
gress is substantially as follows:
To the Senate and House Of RcpreSen-
tdfires;
With nation as with n man the most
important things are those of the house
hold. and therefore the country is espe-
cially to be congratulated what has
been accomplished in the direction of pro-
viding for the exercise " supervision
over the great corporations and combna-
tions OF corporations engaged in inter
state commerce. The Congress has ere
ated the Department OF Commerce and
Labor, including the Bureau OF Corpora
tions. with for the first time authority to
secure proper publicity Of such proceed
ings of these great corporations the
public has the right to know. II has pro-
vided for the eXpeditinE of suits for the
enforcement Of the Federal antitrust
law; and by another law II has secured
equal treatment TO all producers in the
transportation Of their goods thus taking
a long stride forward in making effective
the work o: the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Department Of Commerce and Labor
The establishment Of the Department
OF Commerce and Labor, with the Bureau
of Corporations hereunder, marks real
advance in the direction of doing all that
is possible for the solution of the questions
lritaliy affecting capitalists and wage
workers.
Functions Of New Department.
The preliminary work of the Bureau
of Corporations In the department has
shown the wisdom OF its creation. Pub
iicity in corporate affairs will tend to do
away with Ignorance, and will AFFORD
facts upon which intelligent action may
ha a ar fR fTafa tt,t.a
t!gation is already developing facts the
knowledge Of which is essential to a right
understanding Of the needs and duties OF
the business world. The corporation
which IS honestly and fairly organized.
whose managers In the conduct OF its
business recognize their obligation to deal
E.uarely with their stockholders. their
competitors and the public. has nothing
to fear from such supervision The pur
pose of this bureau is not to embarrass
assail legitimate business. but TO aid
in bringing about better industrial con-
cition-a condition under which there
shall be obedience to law and recognition
of public obligation by all corpora tons.
great or small. The Department Of Com
merce and Labor VIII be nor only the
clearing house for Information regarding
the business transactions OF the nation
hut the executive arm Of the government
to aid in Strengthening our domestic and
foreign markets. in insperfecting our trans
pOTtdtlOn IaCllities. IN bu1lu1nK our
merchant marine. in preventing the
trance of undesirable immigrants. in i'm
proving commercial and industrial condi-
tons. and IN bringing together on com
mon ground those necessary partners in
industrial progress-capitaI and labor.
Commerce between the nations IS stead
fly growing in volume. and the tendency
of the times I. toward closer trade rela
tions. Constant watchfuluess is needed
to secure to Americans the chance TO par
fjcipate to the hest advantage in foreign
trade; and We NAV confidently expect
that the new department will justify the
expectation Of its creators by the exer
else of this watchfulness. well by
the busincsslike administration OF such
laws relating to our internal affairs as
are intrusted to its care.
In cnacting the laws above enumerated
the Congress proceeded on sane and con-
servatIve lines. Nothing revolutionary
was attempted: but common-sense and
successful effort was made in the direc-
tion of seeing that corporations so
handled as 70 subserve the public good
The legisl9tio was moderate. 1t was
characterized throughout by the idea that
we were not attacking corporations, but
endeavoriag to provide for doing away
with any evil in them; that we drew the
line against misconduct. not against
wealth: gladly recognizing the great good
done by capitalists who alone or in
conjunction with his fellows. does his
work along proper and legitimate lines.
The purpose Of the legislation. which pur-
pose will undoubtedly be fulfilled. to
favor such a man when he does well, and
to supervise his action only 10 prevent
him from doing ILL., Publicity can do no
harm to the honest corporation. The
only corporation that has cause to dread
1t is the corporation which shrlnks from
the light, and about the welfare of such
corpora tons need not be overscnsitive
The work of the Department OF Com
,aerce ana Labor has been conditioned
upon this theory. of occurring fair treat
nent alike for labor and for capital.
Capital and Labor.
The consistent policy of the national
liz to hold In check the INSCRIPTIONS man.
whether employer employe: but to re-
fuse to weaken individual initiative or
10 hamper or cramp the Industrial devel-
! cpment Of the country. We recognize
that this is an of freedom and COM
hination. In which great capitalistic cor
poratio3s and labor unions have become
factors of tremendous Importance in all
industrial centers. Hearty recognition is
| given the far-reaching. benencent work
which has been accomplished through
both corporations and unions, and the
line az between different corporations,
| as between different unions. Is drawn as
II is between different individuals; that
| IS. 1t Is drawn on conduct the effort be-
ing to treat both organized capital and
organized labor alike: asking nothing
save the interest of each shall be brought
into harmony with the interest of the
| genera! public. and that the conduct OF
each shall conform to the fundamental
l rules OF obedience to law. of individual
| freedom. and of Justice and fair dealing
| towards all. Whenever either corpora
mr. Nnd ..