New-York tribune., 1904-10-02
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Notable in the line Of constructive effort as show
snE the Presidents aptitude in dealing with inpor-
aaut matters with business wisdom the establish
rnent os the Pacific cable the acquisition Of the
property Of the Panama Canal Company and the
procurement authority construct the canal The
amendment Of the Interstate Commerce law, the
enactment OF law 20 bring 10 a speedy hearing
cases OF public importance affecting interstate COM
merce and the amendment and enforcement Of the
humane laws for the protection OF the lives and
limbs OF those employed upon the interstate rail
roads OF the United States. all of which are the re-
suit OF the Presidents initiative are monuments
of his grasp OF economic questions in their rela-
lions 20 commerce and TO the federal power.
The establishment OF the Pacific cable and the
acquisition Of the property II the Panama Canal
Company are now accomplished facts Both were
for many years the subjects or Congressional con-
slderation and Congressional indecision Both were
almost essential for the development of foreign
commerce, and both wellngh Indispensable for the
fun development and protection Of our territory.
THE PACIFIC CABLE.
Pacific cable bills Of one kind and another
claimed the attention Of Congress for number OF
years. There We're strong and earnest advocates
in Congress Of a government cable There
advocates equally strong and for sub
sidzing a private cable. There was bitter op-
position both in and out Of Congress TO the al
loWance of the existing cable company 10 con-
Etruct its lines the Philippines upon any terms:
the allegation being that it 10 be link in a
President. with practical wisdom. solved the din
Guilty, secured an ali-American cable, without cost
10 the people Of one penny, and upon conditions
that keep it wholly free from the possibility OF
expressing the public.
II cost the government nothing for construction.
nothing for subsidy; but in all important respects
il is government cable. The governments
sages sent at rates fixed exclusively by the
government and given priority in transmission.
Tho government has the exclusive of the cable
time it wishes. upon valuation fixed by arbitra-
tors chosen in the usual way. The commercial
public is likewise protected by a provision In the
contract providing for reasonable rates 1t is said
by the cable authorities and do doubt it, that
the United States holds better arrangement with
ihe Pacific cable than is held by any other nation
IN the world in respect Of any other cable.
THE SAFETY APPLIANCE LAW.
With reference 10 the enforcement and amend
nent OF the laws 10 protect the public. and partic-
ulsrly the railroad workmen, from injury and
DEATH by compelling the Of safety appliances
upon interstate railroads. the Presidents attitude
and action have been wisely constructive and hu-
mane. The Safety Appliance act had been I'm effect
but a short time when il was brought to n test by
n brakeman. who injured in endeavoring TO
couple cars which equipped as provided
by law. lie brought suit in the United States
Court. but was unsuccessful The attention Of the
President called 10 the case, and. realizing
great remedial Law. he directed a petition for a
writ OF ceFtioraTi 10 be fled. remove the case to
the Supreme Court. This case which will soon be
argued. involves a law In which many hundreds OF
thousands OF our people are interested. So far as
81 can be learned il is the first In our history
in which the United States has ever intervened in
q private damage suit.
Many laws. though Vitally affecting the welfare
OF citizens and comforting great material bene-
fits upon the public fail interest large body of
citizens. because they do nor Immediately expe,i-
ence their benefits. But las Of the character OF
the Safety Appliance act, Safeguarding as II does
their lives and limbs, appeals them directly and
they have abiding interest in seeing that its
provisions be made effective. Though the law in
its amended form, only went into effect on Sep
tebeE 1903, IN lfteen districts twenty cases have
been brought against twenty roads for one hum
drsd and nifty violations OF the Safety Appliance
ncf- And IN tbs connection II may be instructive
as bearing upon the good faith and earnest pur-
pose of President Roosevelt enforce the laws
protecting commerce. 20 state that during the eight
years OF the Cleveland administration but forty
one ciRii ana criminal instituted by the
department Of Justice 20 enforce these commercial
statutes while during the three years adminisfra-
non u President Roosevelt ifty-eight were begun
an average OF about Eve a year In one case, as
hsains' about twenty a year In the other.