The sun., 1904-12-07
The Message.

teresting and very important document
and we earnestly advise it's widespread
perusal. 1t is the most pregnant and
notable OF all Mr.. RoosEvELT's State
papers, and the matter of it will be found
to concern deeply all manner OF persons
throughout the whole American domain
The most vital feature, and that which
is OF the widest and most immediate
application, is the Presidents declaration
upon the labor question, which is to-day
the most important problem that con-
fronts the people Of this country When
we consider the relations of Mr.. RoosE-
WELT to organized labor in the light OF
the observation and experience OF the
last three years, we feel that he could have
said nothing on any subject which would
enlist such profound attention and CONF
nland such universal respect as this
utterance. Its weight and import. in
all the circumstances, cannot well be
overestimated. 1t should be hailed with
relief and thankfulness by organized
labor from one end Of the country to the
other, as we'll as by all labor that is not
organized. 1t is our conviction that it
will do more to restore industrial peace
and divert the gravest danger that
threatens the general welfare than any
other influence that could have been
exerted. We say this with an earnest
mesa that Is none the less keen because
We have heretofore differed so radically
with Mr.. ROOSEVELT on this subject.
What he sets forth in this Message is
conceived in the highest spirit of justice
and humanity. He inculcates the duty
Of the citizen and the patriot, invokes
obedience to the supreme authority of
the Constitution and the law and makes
plain the path Of the Executive.
Mr.. ROOSEVELT has evidently given
the claims and rights Of organized labor
q great deal OF calm and patient study
ever since his decision in the Miller case
In favor of the open shop" 1t is most
gratifying to note that the attitude he
then assumed has not only been adhered
to but wrought out to it's logical sequel.
Tho President has not one countenance
for the interests OF the United States
Government and another for the inter-
ests Of the citizens Of the United States.
This rs most clearly stated and curious
and interesting illustration is furnished
elsewhere in the Message. where in allud-
ing to unions within the Government
service he makes these observations:
There Is no objection TO employees OF the Gov.
ersment forming or belonging TO unions; but the
Government can neither discriminate for nor dis.
crminste AZ sinst non union men who are In its
ployment or who seek 70 be employed under It,
Moreover. u Is a very grave Improperly for Gov
erument employees TO band themselves together
for the purpose Of extorting improperly high sal.
anss from the Government Especially is this true
OF those within the classified service. The letter
carriers. both municipal and rural. are as a whole
an excellent body OF public servants. They should
be amply paid But their payment must be obtained
By srsung their claims fairly and honoraby before
the Congress and not by banding together for the
defeat OF those Congressmen who refuse to give
promises which they cannot In conscience give.
TIE Administration has already taken steps to
prevent and punish abuses OF this nature, but It
vtn be wise for the Congress TO supplement this
action by legislation.
Capitalists and employers of all classes
have sometimes thought it a grave i'm
propriety when their men banded to-
eether for the purpose of extorting i'm
properly high wages and trying to ruin
them when they refused or were unable
to pay them. They felt about it just as
the President so Justly feels about the
letter carriers, but they never had the
resources to fall back on which Mr..
ROOSEVELT enjoys and which he so
frankly and straightforwardly sets forth
In the foregoing extract.
Far transcending in its importance,
anu, VIC may ouiNis ltS
character, any previous proposition of a
similar nature that Mr.. ROOSEVELT has
made Is his recommendation that the
Interstate Commerce Commission be
empowered to make and enforce the
rates for railroad transportation. Mr..
ROOSEVELT desires that the commits
sion shall have and exercise that power,
subject to judicial review. That ia to
say that the commission shall make
such rate as it sees fit and it shall there
upon 90 into effect and so continue un-
til the proper courts shall, being APP
pealed to. declare it unjust Obviously
when, after a protracted period, court
reached decision that rate had been
improperly reduced and ordered it
restored the railroad would have nc
recovery Of the loss 1t sustained while
The unjust reduction was in force. II
could not collect the difference from
tho shippers and il could enforce nc