The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-07
ROOSEVELT TALKS ON RATES.
THINKS TEXAS LEGISLATURE
TOR COMNENDING MS COURSE,
And says rs . Public Duty TO See That
Railroads Are Regulated ny Law
--ENpcCts Congress to Pass = Law Soon
quick Dash Across Lone star state.


Roosevelt delivered at Austin to-day before
the two houses Of the Texas Legislature
and an audience that crowded the House
egislative chamber to the doors the most
Important speech that he has made since
he left Washington. He took up the ques-
uon of interstate commerce and indicated
strongly that he expects Congress at an
early date to submit to him for his approval
T. measure that will remedy alleged evils
IN transportation.
The Texas Legislature a few weeks ago
uassed a resolution commencing the Pres .
dent for his attitude in favor Of further
governmental regulation Of interstate COM
m,rce. and the President took advantage
u the opportunity offered to-day to e1-
press his appreciation. After discussing
public questions generally the President
talked about proposed rate making legisla-
ton and said:
With that preliminary | would like to
ssv in brief just what my position is as re-
CARDS the particular question with which
; had to deal and as regards which the
Texas Legislature took the action 30 much
appreciate. On tho whole there have been
few instruments in the economical develop
Tor the country than the railroads
Il do not wish in any shape or way to
interfere with the legitimate gain of any
OF the great men whose special industrial
capacity ena bles them TO handle the rail-
roads 20 as to be Of profit 10 themsel Ives
and Of advan tage to all Of US. ! should
ha most remctant-I will put Il stronger
than that should absolutely refuse TO
he a party to any measure, 10 any PROPOSE
ton that interfered with the proper and
legitimate prosperity Of these men, and |
shoud feel that such a measure was aimed
not only at them, but at all OF us, for any
attack upon the legitimate prosperity Of
any Of us in the long run Is sure to turn
into an attack upon all.
with that proviso, as to which | AJAX
you 10 remember that | mean literally
every word, let me further add that the
public has a right, not a privilege. but in
my view the duty, 70 SEQ that there is on its
behalf exercised such supervisory and
regulatory power over the railroads as will
insure that while they get fair treatment
themselves they give it in return.
The proper exercise Of that power is
conditioned upon the securing Of proper
rentatives Of the public to see to it that
any unjust or oppressive or discriminating
rate is altered 80 as 10 be a just and fair
rate and is altered i'm mediately. | know
perfectly well that when you give that
power there is a chance OF its being oo-
casionally abused. There IA no power
that can be given to the representatives
Of the people which it is not possible 70
abuse.
As every one knows the power Of taxa
ton, which must Of course be given TO
the representatives Of the people, is the
power Of death for Il is possible 70 kill any
industry by excessive taxation. There
must be a certain Trust placed in the COM
mon sense and common honesty Of those who
are to observe the law.
If il ever falls. and think It will, to my
lot to nominate board to carry out such a
law shall nominate, 40 far as am able.
one on whose ability, courage and integrity
! can count, men who will not be swayed
by any influence whatever, direct or in
direct, social political or any other. TO
show improper favontism for the railroads
and who on the other hand, IL a railroad il
unjustly attacked, no matter il that attack
has behind it the feeling or prejudice Of
20 per cent. Of the people, will stand up
against that attack, That is my interpre-
tstion Of the doctrine Of the square deal
PRAISE FoR NATIONAL GUARD.
The President has referred on several
o occasions in the last few days 20 the efforts
that are BE- ing made In the yarious States
TO improve National Guard organizations,
On this subject be said:
i have always taken a very great interest
in the National Guard in this country.
Il Is our pride that we have the smallest
possible Regular army. There Is not
another first class Power, there is not a
second or third class Power inv the world
that has not got relatively 70 its population
and wealth a much larger Regular army
than we have.
We do not need anything but a small
Regular army. We need and must and
shall have the very best Regular army Of
It's size that Is TO be gotten anywhere. We
do not need a large Regular army because
Of the possibilities Of our people in raising
the Volunteer troops. These possibilities
are largely conditioned upon the excel
lence Of the National Guard. Since have
been in Texas at almost every stopping
place there have been members Of the
National Guard companies out 70 do duty
In connection with keeping the crowds in
order, in preventing any trouble Of any
kind, keeping the whole proceedings orderly
and proper.
i have heen immensely struck with
their soldieTlike efficiency. II Ia only what
ought TO expect. When / was last in
Texas ! was engaged with certain others
m raising a volunteer regiment and think
] know a good thing when / 80 IT, just
got as many Texans as possible into that
regiment.
In conclusion the Preside mt said i feel
very muCh Of home here. | have been
{ overnoT and ] have served in the Iegis-
lature, 80 have a good deal Of fellow feel
ing lApplause have, too for a good
many years grHppled with just about the
problems you are graphing with from
lime TO time here, and know, as any man
who has taken an active part must know,
how easy II i for the outsider to say that
everything should be managed perfectly
and how difficult il IL 20 do even pretty
70 cent work. There il heap Of difference
between the critic. the onlooker and the
coer. the man who does the Job
GREAT CROWD IN AUSTIN.
There was a great outpouring Of per-
sons in Au stin TO give warm welcome 20 the
President Every minute OF the Presi-
dents FIVE hours stay In the city was marked
with an enthusiastic demonstration and
paudits Of the great crowd that was
gathered TO see and hear him.
The weather was perfect and the Presi-