The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-12-07


In the beginning the people are congratulate
ed upon their great prosperity" and are remind
ed that in our industrial and social system the
interests of all men are CLOSELY ntertwined.
Referring to corporations the president says
that there must be governmental restraint or
supervision and that experience has shown that
it is useless to try to get any adequate regulation
and supervision by state action. In his view this
can only be effectively exercised by the national
government. He says that he believes that con-
gress has the power to ena~t law to eive effective
regulation, but if this proves impossib lit will
certainly be necessary ultimately to confer in
fullest form such power upon the national gov
eminent by proper amendment of the consti-
tuition"
Attention is again called to the necessity for
legislation requiring the r. of block signals
upon railroads and congress is reminded that
"the number OF serious collisions upon un-
blocked roads that have occurred within the past
year adds force to the recommendation"
Attention is called to "the excessive hours
of labor to which railroad employees in train
service are in many cases subjt cted," and tie
president says III there are any easons for lin
iting by law the hours of labor in any employ
ment, they certainly apply with peculiar force
to the employment OF those upon whose vigilance
the safety of all who travel by rail depends"
While admitting that some judges ha mis-
used the power of injunctiOns, the president says
that it would be unwise to deprive courts of
the power to issue injlnctions in labor disputes.
He says 'the remedy is to regulate the procedure
by requiring the judge to give due notice to the
adverse parties before grant g the writ the
hearing to be ex parte il the adverse Larty does
not appear at the time and place ordered" He
explains that "due notice" must del end upon
the facts of the case, saying ut should not be
used as a pretext to permit violatio. OF law or
the jeopardizing of life or property" and AIDES
"of course this would not authorize the issuing
of restraining injunction in any cases in which
it is not already authorized by existing law"
He renews the recommendation made in his
last message for an investigation by the depart
ment of commerce and labor OF general labor
conditions especial attention to be paid to the
conditions OF child labor and child labor legisla-
ton in the several states A similar recommend
alton is made with respect to an inquiry into the
conditions of women in industry.
The president says that the employer and
employee are not the only ones interested in any
great labor disturbance, but that the interests
of third party-the general public-must be
considered, and he says every considerable la
Dor difficulty in which interstate commerce
is involved should be investigated by the govern
ment and the facts officially reported to the
public"
Referring to the recent disclosures before
the insurance investigating committee, the pres
ident says ut has been only too clearly shown
that certain of the men at the head of these
large corporations take but small note OF the
ethical distinction between honesty and dishon-
esty; they draw the line only this sid OF what
may be called law honesty, the kind OF honesty
necessary in order to avoid falling into the
clutches of the law The president avs that
while the only complete remedy for his condi-
ton must be found in an aroused public con-
science that much can ba done By legislation
which Is not only drastic but practical He rec
ommends adequate national supervision OF COM
merclal interests which clearly nation~ In
character" He says that the congress has al
ready recognized that interstate insurance may
be proper subject for federal legislation. for In
creating { bureau OF corporations IL authorized
II to publish and supply useful Information con-
corning Interstate corporations including corpnr.
atons engaged In insurance. He SAYS that
insurance business has ousrown In magnitude
the possibility OF adequate state supervision. also