Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE MESSAGE
Government Regulation of Railroad
Rates Is Strongly Urged -Insur-
ance Legislation Needed.

to give the commission power to mi
tlate or or originate rates generally,
but to regulate rate already fixed or
originated by the roads, upon com
plant and after investigation. A heavy
penalty should be enacted from any
corporation which fails to respect an
order OF the commission. regard this
power to establish a maximum rate as
being essential to any scheme of real
reform in the matter of railroad regu-
lation
i ask this legislation not only in
the interest of the public, but in the
interest of the honest railroad man
and the honest shipper alike, for 1t is
they who are chiefly jeopardized by
the practices of their dishonest com
petitors"
Labor.
The president devotes considerable
space to the discussion of labor prob.
lens. Regarding the demand for de-
prlving courts, of the power to issue
lnjunctions in labor disputes, he says:
Such special limitation of the equity
powers OF our courts would be most
unwlse." The presidents remedy is
to regulate the procedure by requiring
the judge to give due notice to the
adverse parties before granting the
writ, the hearing to be eX-parte if the
adverse party does not appear at the
time and place ordered He renews
recommendations made in his last
message for an investigation by the
department of commerce and labor
of general labor conditions.
Insurance.
Recent events have emphasized tie
Importance of an early and exhaustive
consideration of this question, as to
whether it is not possible to furnish
better safeguards than the several
states have been able to furnish
against corruption of the fragrant kind
which has been exposed. 1t 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 hon
esty and dishonesty; they draw the
line only this side of what may be
called law-honesty, the kind of hon
esty necessary to avoid falling into
the clutches of the law. There is
need of a far stricter and more uni.
form regulation of the vast insurance
interests of this country. That state
supervision has proved Inadequate is
generally conceded" The president
concludes this subject by urging con-
gress t" carefully consider whether
cd TO 1~~
The Revenues.
There is more need of stability
than of the attempt to attain an ideal
perfection in the methods of raising
revenue; and the shock and strain to
the business world certain to attend
any serious change in these methods
render such change inadvisable un-
less for grave reason. In time of
peace the revenue must on the aver
age, taking series of years together,
equal the expenditures or else the rev
enues must he increased. Last year
there was a deficit. Unless our ex-
penditures can be kept within the rev
enues then our revenue laws must be
readjusted.
The Currency.
The president points out the need
OF the addition of the element Of c,as-
ITCHY to our currency, so that the cur.
rency will contract against specula-
ton, and will expand for the needs
of legitimate business.
Reforms in Methods.
Congress is urged to consider the
question of necessary reforms in the
business methods of the various de-
partments of the government, so as to
promote the economy, efficiency and
high character of government work.
The president repeats former rec
concentrations for the enactment of a
law directed against bribery and cor
ruptlon in federal elections.
Hague Conference.
Congress is urged to do all in IFS
power to further the movement for
another Hague conference and to
make the result of its decisions effec-
tive. The president hopes that the
conference may be able to devise
some way to make arbitration between
nations the customary way of settling
international disputes.
Army and Navy.
The Importance of providing by an
preparation provision for maneuvers of
practical kind to increase the eff
cheney of the army is earnestly
recommended. Increase in the coast
artillery force is also recommended
OF the navy the president says.
I'VE have most wisely continued for
number Of years to build up our navy.
and 1t has now reached fairly high
standard of efficiency This standard
of efficiency must not only be main
tanned, but increased"
The president does not think 1t nee
esssary to increase the navy beyond
the present number units. but to sub
stitute efficient for inefficient units as
the latter become worn out He thinks
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as | drew near canvas which Mr..
Whistler was completing.
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