Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-12-12
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
document Sent to Senate and
House Monday.
Usual SUBJECTS COVERED
evolution in Panama Discussed BY me
President--Says the Country is in
Splendid Condition.

Splendid Condition.
llwashington, Zee S.--Tne presidents
kssage has been transmitted to con-
fess. Its principaa features are as fol-
BIS:
Hire country IS to be congratulated
81 the amount Of substantial achieve
kent which has marked the past year
10Th as regards our foreign and as re-
ards our domestic policy.
With nation as with man the
host important things are those of the
household, and therefore the country
especially TO be congratulated or
What has been accomplished in the Gil
ection of providing for the exercise of
upervision over the great corporations
nd combinations Of corporations. en-
ongress has created the department
f commerce and labor, including the
,ureau of corporations, with for the
irst time authority to secure proper
publicity of such proceedings of these
,reat corporations as the public has
he right to know. 1t has provided for
he expediting of suits for the enforce
nent of the federal antitrust law, and
~ another law it has secured equal
treatment to all producers in the trans
lortation of their goods, thus taking
long stride forward in making effec-
i've the work of the interstate COM
nerce commission
Tho v,raIi,,,,v n ,.xr xrnrIxs ne 4ba br,roats
If corporations In the department of
iabor has shown the wisdom of its Gre
alton. Publicity in corporate affairs
will tend 10 do away with ignorance
and will afford facts upon which intel
Xligent action may be taken. Systemat-
ic, intelligent investigation is already
developing facts the knowledge of
standing of the needs and duties of
the business world The corporation
which is honestly and fairly organ
. lied, whose managers in the conduct
of its business recognize their obliga-
ton to deal squarely with their stock
holders, their competitors and the pub
lie, has nothing to fear from such SUI
pervision. The purpose of this bureau
is not to embarrass or assail legitimate
business, but to aid in bringing about
better industrial condition. condi-
] ton under which there shall be obedi-
ence to law and recognition of public
obligation by all corporations, great or
small The department of commerce
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
transportation facilities, in building up
our merchant marine, in preventing the
entrance of undesirable immigrants, in
improving commercial and industrial
conditions and in bringing together ON
common ground those necessary part
ners in Industrial progress-capita and
labor.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
The consistent policy of the national
government, so far as it has the power,
is to hold in check the INSCRIPTIONS
man, whether employer or employee, but
to refuse to weaken individual initia-
tive or to hamper or cramp the indus
trial development OF the country. We
recognize that this is an ersr of fedora
ton and combination, in which great
capitalistic corporations and labor I'M
ions have become factors of tremendous
Importance in all Industrial centers.
Hearty recognition is given the far
reaching, benefcent work which has
been accomplished through both cor
porations and unions, and the line as
between different corporations, as be-
tween different unions, is drawn as it
| is between different individuals-tha
is, it is drawn on conduct the effort
being TO treat beth organized capital
and organized labor alike, asking moth
ling save that the interest of each shall
| be brought into harmony with the in
terest of the general public and that
1.-THE conduct of each shall conform to
| the fundamental rules of obedience to
| law, of individual freedom and of JUS
i tice and fair dealing toward ALL When
ever either corporation, labor union or
Individual disregards the law or acts
I In a spirit of arbitrary and tyrannous
| interference with the rights of others,
whether corporations or individuals,
then where the federal government has
Jurisdiction it will see TO it that the
misconduct is stopped, paying not the
| slightest heed TO the position or power
of the corporation, the union or the in
dividuai, but only to one vital fact
that is, the question whether or not
the conduct of the individual or aggre-
gate of individuals is in accordance
with the law of the land. Every man
must be guaranteed his liberty and his
right to do as he likes with his prop
erty or his labor so long as he does
not infringe the rights of others.
GOVERNMENT RECEIPTS AND Elk
PENDITURES.
From all sources, exclusive of the
postal service, the receipts of the gov
ernment for the last fiscal year aggre-
f1I 4 4 .