The Elbert County tribune., 1903-12-10

President Rosevelt's message to the
second session of the Fifty-eighth Con-
gress is substantially as follows:
TO the Senate aud House Of Represen-
tdtiUes:
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 what has
been accomplished in the direction Of pro-
Viding for the exercise Of supervision
over the great corporations and combina-
tions of corporations engaged in inter
state commerce. The Congress has crc-
ated the Department Of Commerce and
Labor. including the Bureau OF Corpora
uons. with for the first time authority to
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
enforcement Of the Federal antitrust
law; and by another law IL 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.
The establishment OF the Department
OF Commerce and Labor. with the Bureau
of Corporations Hereunder. marks a 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 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
sauarely 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
or assail legitimate business. but TO aid
in bringing about better Industrial con-
dition-a condition under which there
shall be obedience to law and recognition
of public obligation by all corporations.
great small. The Department Of Com
merce and Labor Will be not only the
clearing house for Information regarding
the business transactions OF the nation
but the executive arm Of the government
to aid In Strengthening our domestic and
foreign markets. in perfecting our trans
portation facilities. In building up our
merchant marine. in preventing the en-
trance of undesirable immigrants. In i'm
proving commerca al and Industrial condi-
tions. end in bringing together on com
mon ground those necessary partners in
Industrial proeress-capital and labor.
Commerce between the nations is stead
fly growing In volume. Rnd the tendency
of the times is toward closer trade reia-
tions. Constant watchfulness is needed
to secure to Americans the chance to par
ticipate to the best advantage in foreign
trade: and we may confidently expect
that the new department will justify the
expectation Of Its creators by the exer-
else of this watchfulness. well ns 3y
the busincssike administration of such
laws relating to our internal affairs as
are intrusted to Its care
In enacting the laws above enumerated
the Congress procc edcd on sane and con-
servative lines. Nothing revolutionary
was attempted; but a comnon-sense and
successful effort was made in the direc-
ton of seeing that corporations are go
handled as TO subserve the public good.
the legislation was moderate. It was
characterized throughout by the idea that
we were not attacking corporations. but
endeavorlag 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 viii undoubtedly be fulfilled. was to
favor such n man when he does well. and
to supervise his action only TO prevent
him from doing I'LL Publicity can do no
harm TO the honest corporation. This
only corporation that has cause to dread
II is the corporation which shrinks from
;he Hight. and about the welfare OF such
corpora tions need not be oversenstive.
The work OF the Department OF Com
ilerce ana Labor has been conditioned
upon this theory. Of securing fair treat
nent alike for labor and for capital.
Capital and Labor.
The consistent policy of the national
fvnN nNfrrsF FnFr1ag far hoo
Is to hold in check the INSCRIPTIONS man.
whether employer or employe; but to re-
fuse to weaken Individual Initiative or
TO hamper or cramp the Industrial deveI-
opment Of the country. We recognize
that this is an of freedom and COM
bination. In which great capltalIstic cor
poratiols 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 as between different corporations,
ms between different unions. Is drawn as
1t 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 |
genera! public. and that the conduct of
each shall conform to the fundamental |
rules OF obedience to law. OF Individual |
freedom. and of Justice and fair dealing |
towards all. Whenever either corpora