New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-07
TIFF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

. the nations interest and honor may 90 no more
than glance over President Roosevelts Mes
sage to Congress made public to-day but we
do not hesitate to say that it ought TO be read
from beginning to end by every patriotic cltl-
zen Of the United States. and most of all by
those who may be inclined to ignore it. AT
the outset the President naturally and prop
erly signifies his qualification at the approval
which the country has so impressively be-
slowed upon his administration, but the partl-
san note is nowhere TO be detected in this re-
markable document. That the Chief Magistrate
of all the people is speaking with perfect as
interestedness. under a deep sense OF response
bility, IS evident in every sentence.
The fact that the President makes no refer
ence TO the tariff justifies the supposition that
he intends 10 discuss that subject by Itself In
later communication to Congress. On all
other topics OF prime Importance he expresses
definite opinions, and with most or them he
deals in an original manner and at considera-
bic length Presidential messages like the mes
sages Of Governors and Mayors. though they
may be comparatively short, are not infre-
duently tedious because they are perfunctory,
being little more than recapitulaton of de-
partment estimates and suggestions. There are
matters of public concern TO which Mr.. Roose-
welt could merely allude, but it is striking
distinction of this state paper that it really
discusses vital questions in Il thorough and
Illuminating manner. 1t is voIuminous. but it
is not long drawn out. Even q captious reader
would hesitate to call any part Of it superf1u-
Gus.
The Presidents views the rights and OBJ
legations of capital and labor are known to ali
his fellow citizens, but it was well worth his
while to rcassert the fundamental principles
which are the only sure basis for permanent
settlement of their relations The organization
of capital in huge masses and the organization
of labor in great bodies are practically inevita-
BILE and are capable of being wholly benefiCent.
For the attainment of that end much remains
10 be done both sides. The primary neces-
sity is the maintenance OF law and order. 10
preserve the peace is originally and in most
cases exclusively a local duty. Wage workers
have perfect right to organize and peacefully
exercise persuasion on others. They have
legal right, which. according to circumstances,
"may or may not be a moral right, to refuse to
work in company with men who decline TO
Join their organizations They have under no
circumstances the right to commit violence
upon those, whether capitalists wage work
'ers, who refuse 10 support their organizations,
"or who side with those with whom they
Eat odds. for mob rule is intolerable in any
form In many cases. as, for example, on rail
roads. they are entitled to special protection,
and the President urges the adoption of further
measures TO compel the use Of approved safety
appliances, in the interest both of passengers
and employees, especially in view of the discred-
table frequency Of accidents in this country.
In its treatment Of the question OF dealing
with combinations of capital the Message con-
tains this reminder of the campaign: 1T is an
"absurdity to expect to eliminate the abuses III
great corporations by State action 1t is diff
cult to be patient with an argument that such
matters should be left TO the States, because
more than one State pursues 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
President continues:
The national government alone deal ade
quately with these great corporations. To try
to deal with them in an Incorporate, destructive
or demagOgc spirit would in all probability
mean that nothing whatever would be accom-
plished, and, with absolute certainty. that if
anything were accomplished II would be of
harmful nature. The American people need to
continue to show the very qualities that they
have shown-that is moderation good sense. the
earnest desire to avoid doing any damage. and
Yet the quiet determination to proceed, step by
step. without halt and without hurry. in elm
mating or. at least. in minimizing, whatever Of
mischief or Of evil there is to interstate COM
nerce In the conduct of great corporations
/ They are acting in no spirit OF hostility to
wealth, either individual or corporate.
Great corporations are necessary, and they
| can be successfully managed only by men of
great ability. who must be rightly rewarded
/ But they must be managed with due regard for
/ the general public interest and, if existing
laws, judicicusly enforced, are insufficient to in
sure such management. new laws must be made
and applied For the adjustment of controver-
/ sizes between capital and labor the President
pleads for a conscientious cultivation Of mutual
! good Will Happily. signs are not wholly lack
/ ing that sucn movement ia III progress
1t is impossible within the limits of this ar
/ ticle TO do more than allude TO various valua-
/ bic features of the Message-the demonstrated
/ benefits Of irrigation the utility and judicious
! limitations of fores: preserves, the need Of
encouraging higher morale among the agents
Of the Indian Bureau, the duty of Congress 10
the District of Columbia the widely diversified
and immensely remunerative operations of the
! Department Of Agriculture the popularity and
beneficial results of free rural delivery OF the
/ mails the pressing duty OF Congress supportnd
by bench and bar. to cuTtail the DELAYS in Grim
/ inal prosecutions. the imperative necessity Of
making the nations armed forces so strong and
I efficient that shall be able to do orr fuII
part toward insuring peace and justice through
/ out the world.
Particular attention IS likely TO be given 10
three decsively expressed opinions of the presI-
dent. He believes that In Justice TO SINNERS
the Interstate Commerce Commission should no
. empowered. after a full hearing. To fix corry
ing rates when complaints have been made tx
ruling 10 take effect at once and 10 hold good
unless and until reversed by court of review.
While strongly asserting the value of a lar,o
immigration OF the right sort the President
dwelIs on the evils of fraudulent and careless
naturalization and urges n comprehensive re-
vision Of the naturalization laws so that thev
may be uniformly and consistently appljcd
throughout the United States. instead of ar
haphaZard as at present In the interest of
pure federal elections he also recommends the
[ enactment or q law imnnsino a heavy nnnnl4,.