Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-12-11

President Roseve,t's message to the
second session of the Fifty-eighth Con-
gress is substantially as follows:
TO the Senate and House Of RepreSen-
tdtireS:
With a nation as with a man the most
important things are those of the house.
hold, and therefore the country Is espe-
cially to be congratulated on what has
been accomplished in the direction OF pro-
Is viding for the exercise of supervision
over the great corporations and combina-
J. lions of corporations engaged in inter-
state commerce. The Congress has Gre
ated the Department of Commerce and
Labor, including the Bureau of Corpora
tions. with for the first time authority 10
secure proper publicity of such proceed
ings of these great corporations as the
public has the right to know. 1t has pro-
vided for the expediting of suits for the
z enforcement of the Federal antitrust
law: and by another law 1t has secured
equal treatment to all producers In the
transportation OF their goods. thus taking
long stride forward in making effective
the work of the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Department of Commerce and Labor.
81 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
vitality 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
licity in corporate affairs will tend to do
away with ignorance, and will AFFORD
facts upon which intelligent action may
be taken. Systematic, intelligent inves-
tigation 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
eouarely with their stockholders. their
competitors, and the public, has nothing
to fear from such supervision. The pur-
n pose Of this bureau is not to embarrass
or assail legitimate business. but to ala
y in bringing about better industrial con-
n dition--a condition under which there
K shall be obedience to law and recognition
4 of public obligation by all corporations.
great or small. The Department of Com
Il. merce and Labor will be not only the
clearing house for information regarding
y the business transactions of the nation
4 but the executive arm OF the government
to aid in strengthening our domestic ana
X foreign markets. in perfecting our trans
X portation facilities. in building up our
K merchant marine, in preventing the en-
N trance Of undesirable immigrants, in I'M
Is proving commercial and industrial condi-
TONS and in bringing together on COM
mon ground those necessary partners In
Industrial progress capital and labor.
N Commerce between the nations Is stSad-
" lily growing in volume. and the tendency
n of the times is toward closer trade reia
IA tons Constant watchfulness Is needed
IA to secure to Americans the chance TO par
VA ticinate to the best advantage in foreign
~ trade: and we may confidently expect
NJ that the new department will justify the
~ expectation of it's creators by the eXer-
NJ else OF this watchfulness. as well as by
rs the businesslike administration OF such
A laws relating to our Internal aHaHs as
& are intrusted to its care,
In enacting the laws above enumerated
II the Congress proceeded on sane ana con-
* seryatiye lines Nothing revolutionary
~ was attempted but a common-sense ana
NJ successful effort was made IN tine direc-
n ton of seeing that corporations are SO
N handled as to subserve the public good.
a The leplsla ton was moderate. IT was
eharacterized throughout by the idea that
~ We were not attacking corporations out
rndeavoring to provide for doing away
NJ With any evil in them that we drew the
Mine against misconduct not against
wealth; gladly recognizing the great GOOD
"A done by capitalists VINO alone, OF IN
Mconiunction with his fellows, does his
% work along proper and legitimate lines
NThe purpose of the legislation. which pur-
MDose will undoubtedly be fulfilled, was 10
Flavor such man when he does well, ana
Go supervise his action only to prevent
him from doing i'll. Publicity can DO no
y harm to the honest corporation. Inc
Honly corporation that has cause to dread
" ~ ia the corporation which shrinks from
N,hc light and about the welfare or such
tcorporations we need not be oversensltiVe.
Mvrhe work of the Department OF Com
ts,nerce ana Labor has been conditioned
anon this theory. of occurring fair treat
Sment alike for labor and for capital.
Capital and Labor.
Il x The consistent policy of the national
@royernment, so far as 1t has the power.
lis to hold In check the INSCRIPTIONS man.
Z. iwhether employer or employe but to re-
fuse to weaken individual Initiative or
K 40 hamper or cramp the Industrial deVei-
fopment Of the country. We recognize
that this is an era of freedom and COM
hination. in which great capitalistic cor
iooratioas and labor unions have become
~ factors of tremendous Importance in all
z industrial centers. Hearty recognition Is
kiven the far-reachng. benehcent WORK
(which has been accomplished through
both corporations and unions, and the
line as between different corporations,
sf hs between different unions, is drawn as
1t is between different individuals tha'
rs Is, 1t is drawn on conduct, the enort pe-
I'm. 10 treat both organized capital and
organized labor alike: asking nothine
ave the Interest of each shall be brought
nto harmony with the interest of the
genera! public. and that the conduct OF
zach shall conform to the fundamenta
k,es of obedience to law OF indlvldna
E.edom. and of Justice and fair dealing
kwards all. Whenever either corpora
IN. labor unisr ar individual disre