The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
CONTINUED from page one,


is, it is drawn on conduct. the effort
being to treat both organized capital
and organized labor alike; asking
nothing save that the interest Of each
shall be brought into harmony with the
interest Of the general public, and that
the conduct of each shall conform to
the fundamental rules Of obedience to
law, of individual freedom, and of JUS
tice and fair dealing towards all.
Whenever either corporation, labor
union, or Individual disregards the law
or acts in a spirit OF arbitrary and ty
rannous interference with the rights of
others, whether corporations or indi-
vidnals, then where the federal gov
ernment has Jurisdiction, it win see to
it that the misconduct is stopped, pay
ing not the slightest heed to the posi-
tion or power of the corporation, the
union OF the Individual, but only to one
vital fact-that Is, the question whether
or not the conduct of the Individual or
aggregate of individuals is in accord
ance with the law of the land. Every
man must be guaranteed his liberty
and his right to do as he likes with his
propertyor his labor,s so long as he does
not infringe the rights of others. No
man is above the law and no man is
below it; nor do we ask any mans
permission when we require him to
obey It. Obedience to the law is de-
manded as a right; not asked as a
favor.
We have cause as a nation to be
thankful for the steps that
have been so successful
taken to put these principles into effect.
The progress has been by evolution,
not by revolution. Nothing radical has
been done; the action has been both
moderate and resolute. Therefore the
work will stand. There shall be no
backward step. If in the working of
the laws 1t proves desirable that they
shall at any point be expanded or am,
plifled, the amendment can be made as
Its desirability is shown Meanwhile
they are being administered with judg-
ment, but with insistenoe upon obed-
Ience to them; and their need has
been emphasized in signal fashion by
The events of the past year.
MERCHANT MARINE.
A majority of our people desire that
steps be taken in the interests of Amer
can shipping, SO that we may once
more resume our former position in the
,cean carrying trade. But hitherto the
differences Of opinion as to the proper
method OF reaching this end have been
80 wide that 1t has proved impossible to
secure the adoption Of any particular
Having in view these facts,
[ recommend that the congress direct
the secretary of the navy, the postmas-
ter general, and the secretary of COM
merce and labor, associated with such
a representation from the senate and
house of representatives as the con-
gress in its wisdom may designate, to
serve as commission for the purpose
Of investigating and reporting to the
at its next session what legis-
Iation is desirable or necessary for the
development Of the American merchant
marine and the American commerce,
and incidently of national mail SER
vice of adequate auxiliary naval cruis-
ers and naval reserves. While such a
measure is desirable in any event, 1t is
desirable at this time.
Our service should equal the best.If it
loes moi, the commercial public will aban
Ion 1t. If we are to stay in the bust
less 1t ought to be with a full under
tandlng of the advantages to the coun-
ry none hand, and on the other with,
,xact knowledge Of the cost and proper
OF carrying it on. Moreover,
ines Of cargo ships are of even more
than fast, mail lines; save
10 far as the latter can be depended up
m to furnish swift auxiliary cruisers
n time of war. The establishment Of
lew lines OF cargo ships to SouthAmer-
ca, to Asia, and elsewhere would be
much in the interests OF our commercial
expansion,
IMMIGRATION.
We can not have too much immigra-
ion Of the right kind, and we should
lave none at all Of the wrong kind.
me need is to devise some system by
which undesirable immigrants shall be-
ept out entirely, while desirable immi-
rants are properly distributed through
ut the country. At present some dis
ricts which need immigrants have