Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-12-16
MESSAGE SUMMARY
PRES. ROOSEVELT'S ADDRESS TO
CONGRESS TOOK THREE HOURS.
Rate Regulation Demands First Atten-
tion-Present Laws Ineffective
More Money for Canal Work-Asks
for Larger Navy-Revise lmmigra-
tion Laws-Change Land Laws.

UT Larger NdNJ-heNisc iinHi9Td-
ton Laws-change Land Laws.
Washington, d. Cat 11:4O Tues
day morning assistant secretary to the
president, Barnes, and executive Clerk
Young and a messenger left the White
House bearing copies of the presi-
dents message for reading in the
house and senate and for distribution
among the member.
The reading of the message began
at 1928, eight minutes later than in
the senate. 1t required three hours to
read.
Presidents Message.
To the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives-The people of this coun-
try continue to enjoy great prosperity.
Undoubtedly there will be ebb and
flow in such prosperity, and this ebb
and flow will be felt more or less by
all members of the community both
by the deserving and undeserving.
Against the wrath of the Lord the wis
dom of man can not avail; in times
of flood or drought human ingenuity
can but partially repair the disaster.
A general failure of crops would hurt
all of us. Again, if the folly of man
mars the general well-being, then
those who are innocent of the folly
will have to pay part of the penalty
incurred by those who are guilty of
the folly. A panic brought on by the
speculative folly of part of the bust
ness community would hurt the whole
business community. But such stop
page of welfare, though it might be
severe, would not be lasting. In the
long run the one vital factor in the
permanent PROSPERITY of the country
is the high individual character of
the average American citizen, no mat
ter whether his work be mental or
manual. whether he be farmer or
wage-worker, business man or profes.
sional man.
Talks on Corporations.
Corporations are the first great sub
ject dealt with. He says he is not
opposed to corporations. Like trade
must be checked when they are not
doing good. He thinks their regula
ton possible under existing conditions
but if not the constitution must be
amended. The power to regulate mus
be affirmative and given to some ad
ministrative body created by congress
He says such a body should have the
| % lA Ill
OF railroad rate and to prescribe the
limit beyond which it shall be unlaw
full to go. All decisions on rates mus
be subject to revision by the courts.
He does not favor power being giveI
to originate rates, but to regulate
rates already fixed.
81 regard the power to establish
maximum rate as being essentia
to any scheme of real reform in thu
matter of railway regulation.
All private car lines, industrial
roads, refrigerator charges, etc
should be controlled by the commits
! sion.
D Labor Question Taken Up.
Again COlupuloOlg 10
=, of block signals on interstate railroad
and recommend regulation Of hour
of railroad workmen and the liabilit
y of employers for injuries. He say
: 1t would be unwise to deprive courts O
j.. power of injunction in labor matters
- Recommends thorough investigation
:. of labor matters, child labor, health
factories, reasonable hours.
He recommends consideration @
:. federal supervision of insurance. H
; says the needs and desires of tn
people should be consulted on tart
!, matters.
a Says economy in expenditures is al
- solutely necessary this year. Advise
I, the addition of the element of eiasti'
= ity to our currency.
He wants better business method
- in the various departments at Wasl
ington. Also recommends supervisio
-. of federal elections and campaign e,
t, pendltures.
h. international Matters.
'. The various matters affecting int
national law coming before the ne'
Hague convention are discussed
length. He discussed the Monroe do
- trine as an ala to the world peace an
- in this connection the San Domingoa
10 situation.
rs Canal Funds Forthcoming.
- The Hepburn bill, appropriate
- SIG, 100000 for the canal will pa
:, the house Thursday without referen'
Hf to committee, either by unanimol
consent or by special rule.
In this connection he also discuss'
9 the army and navy. He Recommend
N general maneuvers and promotion
~ based on ability or seniority. r
y. says increase the navy. Revision
" the naturalization and criminal Law
20 are recommended. He says publ
an land laws should be changed to ST.
our needs today.
He recommends to congress consi