Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-12-20

Washington, Dec. S. President
Roosevelt's annual message to con-
gress makes some $4,000 words. In &C.
cordance with established custom con-
siderable space Is devoted to q re-
sumo OF the year in the administrative
departments of the government, but
much OF the message is given up to Q
discussion OF those subjects which are
considered Of vital interest to the ma
ton, and upon many of which he
deems legislation needed. 1t is this
portion of the message which we give
below.
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives: The nation continues to enjoy note
worthy prosperity. Such prosperity Is of
course primarily due to the high individ-
Wal average of our citizenship, taken to-
eetner with our great natural resources;
put an important factor therein is the
working OF our long-eontinued govern
mental policies. The people have EN-.
Dhadcally expressed their approval Of
the principles underlying these policies,
and their desire that these principles be
kept substantially unchanged, although
81 course applied In a progressive spirit
20 meet changing conditions.
Caution Against Extravaganza.
The enlargement of scope of the func-
rs IS OF the national government required
aur development as a nation involves,
curse, increase of expense; and the
"a OF prosperity through which the
try Is passing justifies expenditures
permanent improvements far greater
would be wise in hard times Bat
fps and forts. public buildings, and
wed waterways are investments
should be made when we have the
~ I; but abundant revenues and a
caurplus always invite extravaganza,
fonstant care should be taken to
against unnecessary increase Of
-sesrsz 1tnsry expenses of government.
Ahould be regulated with the same rigid
scrutiny as the cost Of doing private
business.
Capital and Labor.
In the vast and complicated mechanism
o. our modern civilized life the dominant
mote is the note of industrialsm; and the
relattons Of capital and labor, and es.
pscially of organized capital and organ
lxed labor, to each other and to the pub
nc at large come second in Importance
only to the intimate questions Of family
Me. Our peculiar form of government,
with its sharp division Of authority be-
tween the nation and the several states
mas been on the whole far more advan-
aageous to our development than a more
strongly centralized government. But IL
y undoubtedly responsible for much Of
ene dihiculty of meeting with adequate
seg1slaton the new problems presented
Dy the total change in Industrial condi-
lions on this continent during the last
nalf-century. In actual practice 1t has
proved exceedingly difficult, and in many
Masses impossible. to get unanimity Of
vase action among the various states on
Enese subjects. From the very nature OF
fhe case this is especially true Of the laws
enecting the employment Of capital in
huge masses.
With regard to labor the problem ID no
Tess important but it is simpler. AS long
- the states retain the primary control
pf the police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
0uire interference by the federal author
1ties. whether in the way Of safeguard
ing the rights of labor or In the way Of
eooing that wrong is not done by I'M
euly persons who shield themselves be-
hind the name of labor. II there Is re-
distance to the federal courts, interior
ence with the mails, or interstate COM
merce, or molestation of federal proper
". or II the state authorities in some
crisis which they are unable to face call
Tor help then the federal government
may interfere; but though such interfer-
ence may be caused by condition Of
things arising out Of trouble connected
With some question of labor, the interfer-
snce itself simply takes the form Of re-
itoring order without regard to the ques-
ions which have caused the breach Of
,rder-for to keep order is a primary
iuty and in a time of disorder and vio-
ence all other questions sink into abey-
lnce until order has been restored In
he District of Columbia and in the ter
stories the federal law covers the entire
teld of government; but the labor ques-
son Is only acute in populous centers of
Hmmerce, manufactures or mining.
syertheless. both in the enactment and
the enforcement OF law the federal
government within Its restricted sphere
hould set an example to the state gov
rnments. especially In matter so vital
i this affecting labor I believe that un-
er modern Industrial conditions 1t is
ften necessary. and even where not
ecessary It Is yet often wise, that there
aould be organization Of labor in order
stter to secure the rights of the individ-
Al wage-worker. All encouragement
iould be given to any such organiza-
on, so long as 1t is conducted with q
le and decent regard for the rights Of
hers. There are In this country some
Dor unions which have habitually, and
her labor unions which have often,
zen among the most effective agents In
orking for good citizenship and for up
ting. the condition pf, those Nhoss vel.