davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
HANDLING TRUSTS
DUTY OF NATION

When we come 20 deal with great cor
p0rations. the need for the Government
10 act directly is far greater than in
the case OF labor because great corpora
lions can become such only by engaging
in Interstate commerce, and Interstate
commerce is peculiarly the field OF the
General Government. IL IS an absurdlty
10 expect 10 eliminate the abuses ia
great corporations by State action. II
is difficult 20 be patient with an ar
gumeut that such matters should be left
20 the States. because more than one
State puTsues the policy Of creating on
easy terms corporations which are never
operated within that State at all. but
in other States whose laws they ignore.
The National Government alone can
deal adequately with these great cor
p0r8tions. To try 10 deal with them in
an Incorporate, destructive or dema
gogic spirit would. I'm all probability
mean that nothing whatever would be
accomplished, and. with absolute GER
taluty, that N anything were accom-
plishcd % would be ~ a harmful ma
ture The American people need 20 con-
t!uue 60 show the very qualities that
they have shown-that is moderate
good sense, the earnest desire TO avoid
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
PUBLICITY URGED
IN LABOR BUREAU

Much can be done by the Government
in labor matters merely by giving pub
hcity 10 certain conditions. The Bu-
reau OF Labor has done excellent work
OF this kind In many different directions.
/ shall shortly lay before you IN a
special message the fun report OF the
investigation Of the Bureau OF Labor
into the Colorado mining strike. as this
IS Ii strike in which certain very evil
forces, which are more or less at work
everywhere under the conditions of mod
ern industrialisn. became startlingly
prominent.
II is greatly 10 be wished that the
Department OF Commerce and Labor.
through the Labor Bureau. should com
pile and arrange for the Congress a
list OF the labor laws OF the various
States. and should be given the means
TO investigate and report to the Congress
upon the labor conditions in the mann
featuring and mining regions through
out the country, both as 20 wages. as
TO hours OF labor, as to labor Of women
and children. and as 10 the effect in
the various labor Ceuters Of lmmgra-
ton from abroad In this Investigation
especial attention should be paid 10 the
conditions OF child labor and child-labor
legislation In the several States. Such
an investigation must necessarily take
into account many Of the problems with
which this question OF child labor is
connected
These problems can be actually met.
IA most cases, only by the States them
selves: but the lack of proper leKisia-
ton in one State in such a matter as
child labor often renders II excessively
difficult 10 establish protective restric-
tiOn upon the work in another State
having the same industries. so that the
worst tends 10 drag down the better
For this reason. IL would be well for
the nation al least 10 endeayor 10 Sc
cure comprehensive information as 20
ne conditions OF labor Of children I'm the
different states Such investigation and
publication by the National Government
would tend toward the securing of ap-
prOxlmatcly uniform legislation or the
proper character among the several
States
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
OF BUREAU
OF CORPORATIONS

Publicity, and not secrecy. will win
hereafter, and laws be construed bv
their intent and not by their letter. 9TH
erWise public utilities Will be owned and
operated by the public which created
them. even though the service be less
efficient and the result less satisfactory
from a financial standpoint"
The Bureau OF Corporations has made
careful preliminary investigation OF
many important corporations. II will
make a special report on the beef in
dustry.
The policy OF the bureau is 10 accom-
plIsh the purposes Of its creation by CO.
operation. not antagonism: by making
constructive legislation. not destructive
prosecution, the immediate object Of
It's inquiries. by conservative investiga-
ton of law and fact, and by refusal 10
issue incomplete and hence necessarily
Inaccurate reports. Its policy being thus
one OF open inquiry into and not attack
upon. business. the bureau has been
able 20 gain not only the confidence.
but. better still, the cooperation OF men
engaged IN legitimate business.
The bureau offers 10 the COngres the
means OF getting at the cost Of prOduc-
tion Of our various great staples or com
mcTCe.
OF necessity the careful investigation
OF special corporations VIII afford the
commissioner knowledge Of ceCtain bust
ness facts. the publication or which
might be an improper infringement Of
private rights. The method OF making
public the results OF these Investigations
affords, under the law. means for the
protection OF private rights. The Con-
gress will have all facts except such as
would give 20 another corporation in
formation which would injuTe the legltl-
mate business of 3 competitor and de-
strOy the Incentive for individual SUI
periOrity and thrift.
The bureau has also made exhaustive
examinations into the legal condition un-
der which corporate business IL carried
on in the various States; into all judi
cial decisions on the subject, and into
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
RIGHTS OF LABOR
PLAINLY DEFINED

7 believe that under modern industrial
conditions Il is often necessary. and
even where not necessary IL is yet often
wise. that there should be organization
Of labor IN order better 10 secure the
rights Of the individual wage-WOrker.
All announcement should be given to
any such organization, 30 long as II is
conducted with due and decent regard
for the rights OF others. There are IN
this country some labor unions whichs
have habltually, and other labor unions
which have often. been among the most
effective agents IA working Tor good cit
izenshlp and for uplifting the condition
of those whose welfare should be closest
70 our hearts. But when any labor
union seeks improper ends, or seeks 10
achieve proper ends by improper means.
I'll good citizens and more especially all
honorable public servants must oppose
the wronCdulug as resOlutsly as they
would oppose the wrongdoing OF any
great corporation. OF course. any v!O-
l,uee. brutality or corruption, should
not for one moment be tolerated.
Wage-workeTs have an entire right 20
organize ard by all peaceful and honor
able means to endeavOr 20 persuade
their fellows 10 join with them IN or
E.illlLa L4Ntra lt+e nave a lEEiA a+HtliI
which. according 10 circumstances. may
on may uot Dee "a moral right. 10 refuse
To- work il company with men who de-
ollne 70 join their organizations They
have under no circumstances the right
u commit violence upon those, whether
CAPITALISTS or Wage-WCrkers, who refuse
o. support their organizations. or who
side with those with whom they are al
r,ids- fcr mob rule IS intoleTable ia any
form.
THE wage-WorEers are peculiarly en-
titled 40 the protection and the encour-
ce.uent Of the law. From the very
nature ~ their occupation railroad men.
FOR Instance are liable Jo Toe MANNED IN
doing Tie legitimate work ot their pro-
f...-is5fIs uH less the railroad companies
are REQUIRED by law To- make ample
1lr,yfsiou for their safety Tho Admin
i-trauoE has been jealous Ia enforcing
tIa existing law for this purpose, That
law should Doe amended and strength
eued wherever the National Govern
rreut has power there should be- Il strln-
cent employers liability law. which
should apply 90 the Government itself
where TIE Government is an employer OF
labor
lu ms message 10 the FIfty-seVoEth
Congress. az IT'S second session. 1 urged
the uassage OF au employers liability
~ Tor tho District OF Columbia. ] now
renew that recommendation, and fur
tber recommend that the Congress APP
polut a commission 10 make cOmpre-
lruslVe study OF employer liability
with the view Of extending the pOEis-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
Public All Powerful.

The day has gone by when a corpor-
alton can be handled successfully In de-
hance of the public will. even though
that viii be- unreasonable and wrong. \
public may be- led. but not driven, and /
prefer 10 go with 10 and shape or modify.
IA measure. its opinion, rather than be
swept from my bearings. with loss 20
myself and the interests In my charge.
Violent prejudice exists toward cor
porate activity and capital today. much
Of il founded in reason, more in appre-
hension, and a large measure is due 10
the personal traits of arbitrary. unrea-
sOuable. incompetent and offensive men
ia positions of authority. The accom-
plshment of results by indirectiou, the
the expressed letter of the law Cthe will
Of the people,. "A disregard OF the rights
Of others, "a disposition TO withhold what
Is due. TO force by main strength or in
activity a result not justified, depending
upon the weakness of the claimant and
his indispOsitiOn 10 become involved in
litigation has created Il sentiment
harmful in the extreme and a disposition
To consider anything fair that gives gain
TO the individual at the expense Of the
company.
If corporations are to continue 10 do
the worlds work, as they are best fitted
10, these qualities Ia their representa-
tiyes that have resulted i'm the present
prejudice against them must be rele-
gated TO the background. The corpora
lions must come ont into the open and
see and be seen. They must take the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE A BUSINESS

the various systems Of corporate taxa
ton in use / call special attention 10
the report of the chief OF the bureau.
and / earnestly ask that the Congress
carefully consider the report ana rec
concentrations OF the commissioner on
this subject
The business OF insurance vitality al
fects the great mass of the people OF the
| United States. ami is national ana not
| local IN its applica ton. IL involves a
multitt ie Of transactions among the
| people or the different States, and be
/ tween American companies and foreign
| governments / urge that the Congress
! carefully consider whether the power OF
/ the Bureau OF Corporations cannot con-
| stituuonally be extended 10 cover inter
/ state transactions in insurance.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06

rienCe with men Of affairs of a character
TO make me desire tC avoid creating
Ike feeling If resentment TO myself and
the interests in my charge, should for
tune ever place me I'm authority. and /
am soilcltous of measure of confidence
on the part Of the public and our en-
ployes that ! shall hope may he war
ranted by the fairness and gOod-fellOw-
ship 1 intend shah prevail In our rela-
uOuEhlp.
But do not feel ] am disposed to
grant unreasonable requests, spend the
money of our company unnecessarily OK
without value received. nor expect the
days OF mistakes are disappearing. or
that cause for complaint will not cOutin-
uauy occur; simply 10 correct such
abuses as may be discovered. 40 better
conditions as fast a S reasonab DIV may be
expected, constantly striving with vary
ing success, for that Improvement We all
desire, To convince YOU there is force
at work in the right direction. all the
time making progress-is the disposition
with which 4 have come among YOU
asking your good Will and encourage
mput
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06

public into their confidence and ask for
what they want. and no more. and be
prepared 10 explain satisfactorily what
advantage VIII accrue TO the public II
they are given their desires; For they
are permitted 10 exist not that they
may make money solely. but that they
may effectively serve those from whom
they derive their noUar
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
PERTINENT POINTS QUOTED

1.-The cost of doing Government regulated
he co 0 doing private business
labor to each other the public
lin Importance to questions of family life
right to but have under
circumstances the right commit violence on those who refuse support their organ
izatons, with those who are at odds
b m f 4 nnt or who seek to be- aaTioU@5 nnder II
legislation the gradual feeling
The policy Of the Bureau Of Corporations accomplish the purposes
operation constructive legislation destructive
prosecution
should establish
reasonable continue unless by of review
All questions of tariff and finance sink into utter ngnnc when compared
with the tremendous the vital Importance Of trying shape conditions prevent
suicide
be the live
generations alive noble and beautiful
adds wilderness
1.-The history been aise
than the
1.-The question good American has nothing whatever do with
birthplace IN it has to do with his creed
the writ Of the United States should throughout its Dor
der Ito reach Beavers Greene and Gaynor and others
a" Alaska should have a Delegate IN Congress
is merely contemplate for nation individual
use Understanding language proclaim its purposes to take positions which are
There are kinds of which highly undesirable which the long
as destructive as any
There judicial enforcing right international law
1t not true that the United States feels any land hunger enterns
projects toward other nations of the Western Hemisphere such for their
conduct Impeding of territory
only unjust and irritating toward US but difficult its wisdom from Rus
There patriotic study before people than to keep the
our voice potent for and potent because not afraid
The standby must be the ontsp heavily amored and heavily
eve shall have provide method by which there will be av)
Navy reservation public provided navy
1--WE need more officers for the arnv)o
FIpnOs utterly incapable Of existing independence all of building
continuing
good faith do our share Of the worlds work.
Within shall be trying the experiment of elective lower house
higher body in public in
/ ippine undeGo lisasso
Those Of our people here home who have specially claimed be the cham
pions the Flpnos, have reality their
po do not need independence at ALL but do need good laws and indus
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06

ions of a great and constitutional law
to all employments within the scope Of
Federal power.
Recognition of HerOism.
The Government has recognized hero
ism upon the water. and bestows medals
of honor upon those persons who by
extreme and heroic daring have endan-
gered their lives i'm saving. or endeavor-
ing TO save, lives from the perils Of the
sea in the waters over which the United
States has jurisdiction. or upon an
American vessel This recognition
should be extended to cover cases OF
conspicuous bravery and self-Sacrifce In
the saving of life in private employ
ments under the jurisdiction of the
United States, and particularly IN the
land commerce OF the Nation.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
IMPERATIVE DUTY
TO STOP REBATES

Above all else. We must strive to keep
the highways OF commerce open to all
on equal terms; and TO do this it is nee
| essary 10 put a complete stop 10 all re-
bates. Whether the shi~ner or the rail
road is to blame makes no difference;
{ the rebate must be stopped. the abuses
/ OF the private car and private terminal
track and sidetrack systems must be
| stopped. and the legislation of the Fifty
! eighth Congress, which declares IL TO be
unlawfui for any person or corporation
/ 10 offer, grant. give. solicit. accept or
receive any rebate, concession, OF dis
elimination IN respect - the transpOrta-
! lion Of any property in Interstate OF
/ foreign commerce whereby such prop
/ erty SlaI Dy any device whatever be
/ transported at a less rate than that
/ named in the tariffs published by the
| carrier must be enforced. For some time
! after the enactment OF the act TO regu-
/ late commerce il remained Il mOOted
| question whether that act conferred
I upon the Interstate Commerce Commits
I sion the power. after II had found a
/ challenged rate To be unreasonable. 20
| declare what thereafter should, primd
! :acie, be the reasonable maximum rate
/ for the transportation in dispute The
| Supreme Court finally resolved that
( question in the negative, so that as the
/ law now stands the commission simply
! possesses the bare power 70 denOunce .
particular rate as unreasonable.
Right to Fix Rates.
While am OF the opinion that a
present it would be undesirable. if j.
were not imprscticable. finally TO cIotn,
| the commission. with general authorize
10 fix railroad rates, / do believe that
as a fair security 10 shippers. the com
| mission should be vested with the pow
er, where a given rate has beeI chaI
lenged, and after full hearing found {,
be unreasonable. TO decide. subice- 4
judicial review. what shall be a reason
! able rate to take its place; the ruin.
| OF the commission to take effect imnIe
diately. and 10 obtain unless ara unit
il is reversed by the court Of view.
| The Government must In increasing
| degree supervise and regulate the work
ings Of the railways engaged Ia inter
| state commerce: and such increased 81,
pefvision is the only alternative T. al
| Increase OF the present evils IN IN
| one land or a still more radical polio
on the other. In my Judgment I'ls mos
important legislative act nov needed d
| regards the regulation OF corporation
is this act 10 confer on the InterstaI
Commerce Commission me PoweT 10 Te
wise rates and regulations, the revise
rat al once 10 go into effect. and L
stag in effect unless and until the cour
of review reveTses IT,
J Steamship companies, engaged In ia
terstat'- commerce and protected IN on
cOastWise trade. should be held To
| strict observance OF the interstate com
| mRFpp act
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
FARM UNIVERSITY
OF DR.. j. WILSON

The DEPARTMENT of Agriculture has
crown into an educational institution
with "a faculty OF 2oo1 specialists max
Ing research into al the sciences OF
production The Congress appropriates,
directly ana Indirectly. 100000 an
nuaIIv 90 carry on this work, IL reaches
every state and Territory in The Union
and the islands OF the sen lately come
under our faE. Cooperation IL had With
the State experiment stations, and with
many Other institutions ana individuals
The world Is carefully searched for new
varieties of grains. fruits, grasses, Aese-
tables trees. ana shrubs, aHitdple 20
various localities ln eur country ana
marked beEaat leo our producers mas Fe-
The activities Of 1ur age ln lines Of
research have reached the tlliCrs OF the
soil 4ad inspired them with ambition T.
know more of the principles taat gov
sru the forces an nature WITH which
f,-r,- have ta deal Nearly half of the
1-ouIe OF this country ucEotY Ihelf en-
creiss 10 growing Things froIl the soil
I-ntu Il recent dlIg litle has been done
. o. rfruar. these millions Tor their Ire
work In most lines of human activity
toIIeee-traiHed men are the leaders. The
farmer had nO opportunity Tor speclal
training until the Congress made pro-
vision for 10 forty years ago. During
T /
teachers have been prepared over 800
students are ln attendance AT our State
horticultural colleges. The Federal Gov
ernmeat eXpends $1,000 go annually to-
ward This education ANA Tor research in
Washington and Iu the several States
ana Territories. The Department or Ag-
riculture has given facilities Tor post
graduate work To 500 young men during
the last seven years, preparing them FOR
advanced lines OF work in the depart
meut and in the State Institutions.
A Busy Department.
The facts concerning meteorolOgy and
its relations 10 plant and animal life are
being Systematically inquired. into Tenn
peraJCre and moisture are controlling
factors I'm an agricultural operations,
The seasons OF the cyclones of the
/ Caribbean Sea and their paths are being
forecast with increasing accuracy.
The cold winds that come from tue
north are ANTICIPATED and their times
aud intensity told 10 farmers, garden
/ ers. and fruiIerers ia all southern locali-
/ ties.
We sell S25O.0oO.0OO worth of animals
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06

doing any damage, ana yet the quict "
termination 10 proceed. step by step,
without halt and without hurry. In elm
mating or at least in m'nlmiZlng what
ever OF mischief or OF evil there Is 10
Interstate commerce in the conduct OF
great corporations.
Fairness Wanted.
They are acting In no spirit Of hostility
20 wealth, either individual OF corporate.
They are not against the rich man any
more than against the poor man. on
the contrary, they are friendly alike to-
ward rich man and toward poor man,
provided only that each acts In a spirit
of justice and deccncy toward his tel
lows. Great corporations are necessary.
and only men OF great and singular
mental power can manage such corpora
lions successfully. and such men must
have great rewards. But these corpora
lions should be managed with due re-
gard 10 the interest of the public as
whole. Where this can be done under
the present laws IL must be done. Where
these. laws come short others should be
enacted 20 supplement them.
Yet we must never forget the deter
mining factor in every kind of work,
of head or hand, must be the man y
own coed sense. courage. and kindness.
More important than any legislation Is
the gradual growth CI feeling or Te-
F.
italists and Wage-w Orkers alike, feel
ing Of respect on the part Of each man
for the rights or others; a feeling of
broad community OF interest not merely
OF capitalists among themselves, and OF
wage-w workers among themselves, but of
CAPITALISTS and wage-WOrkers in their re-
latiOns 10 each other, and OF both In
their relations 20 their fellows who with
them make up the body polite. There
are many captains OF industry. many
labor leaders, who realize this. A recent
speech by the president Of one or cur
great railroad systems 10 the employees
OF that SYSTEM contains sound common
/ sense. II runs in part as follows:
Railroad Man Quoted.
1T is my belief we can better serve
| each other. better understand the man
as well as his business. when meeting
face to face. exchanging views. and real
/ izing from personal contact we serve
I but one interest, that Of our mutua!
prosperity.
Serious misunderstanding cannot oc-
| cur where personal good will exists and
opportunity for personal explanation is
present.
In my early business life 1 had eXpe-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06

doing any damage. and yet the quiet de-
termination 10 proceed. step by step,
without halt and without hurry. In elm
mating or at least in IN nimiZlng what
ever OF mischief or OF evil there Is TO
Interstate commerce I'm the conduct OF
E.r.aI nlrn.rai ions
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
Corporal Punishment.

There are certain offenders, whose
criminaIity takes the shape OF bru-
taIity and cruelty toward The weak,
VINO need "a special type Of punishment.
The wife-beater for example, Is mad
eauateiy punished by imprisonment; for
Imprisonment may often mean nothing
to him. wi.ile 10 may cause hunger and
want 10 The wife and children who have
been tho victims of his brutality ProD-
ably some fCru- Of corporal punishment
would be the most adequate way OF
meeting this kind of crime.