The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-12-07
4. tn NYomen WHO Vol.


fccis on family life than is now the
ease. This whole matter In reality
forms ole of the greatest sociological
phenomena of our time Il is "A social
question Of 'hc FIRST Importance, Of FAR
greater Importance than any merely pr.
Htlcal or economic question can be.
n any great labor disturbance not
only are employer and employee inter
cstcd. but also q third pariy-the gen
eral public Every considerable labor
difficulty in which interstate commerce
is involved should be investigated by
the government and the facts officially
reported 10 the public.
Insurance.
The great Insurance companies afford
striking examples ~ corporations
whose business has extended so far
beyond The Jurisdiction OF The states
which created them as 10 preclude
strict enforcement Of supervision and
regulation by the parent states In my
last annual message ! recommended
that the congress carefully consider
whether the power of the bureau Of
corporations cannot cous'iutiOnally be
extended 10 cover Interstate transac-
tlons in iuuranrc." Recent events
have ompha ,izcl the importanie Of an
early and exhaustive consideration Of
this question. 10 SEQ whether il is not
possible 10 furu' ID better safeguards
than the several states have been able
TO furnish against corruption Of the
fragrant kind which has been exposed.
II has been only too clearly shown
that certain of the men ar the head OF
these large corporations take lint small
note of the ethical distinction between
honesty and dishonesty They draw
the line only this side Of what mag be
called law honesty. the kind of honesty
necessary Ia order to avoid falling into
the CLUTCHES Of the law or course the
only complete remedy FOR this condi
ton must be found lu an aroused pub
lie conscience. higher sense Of ethical
conduct I'm the community M large ana
especially among business men and In
the great profession Of the law. and Ia
the growth OF n spirit which condemns
all dishonesty. whether In rich man or
I'm poor man. whether 10 takes the shape
Of bribery or Of biacl,Inail But much
can be done by legislation which is not
only drastic but practical There Is
need Of a far stricter and more uni
form regulation OF the vast insurance
interests Of this country. The United
States should I'm this respect follow the
policy OF other nations 10y providing
adequate national supervision Of com
merclal interests which are clearly ma
tlonal IN character.
repeat my previous recommends
hon that the congress should consider
whether the federal government has
sny power or owes any duty with re-
Fpect 10 domestic transactions in in
surance Of an interstate character.
That state supervision has proved in
adequate is generally conceded.
Economy In Expenditures.
I earnestly recommend to the con
gress the need Of economy and, to this
end. Of n rigid scrutiny Of appropria-
tions. All unnecessary Offices should
be abolished. In the public printing
also a large saving Of money can be
made. There IS constantly growing
tendency 70 publish masses Of unim-
portant information at which no human
being ever looks.
Federal Elections.
In my last annual message | said:
"The power Of the government to
protect the integrity Of the elections Of
It's own officials Is inherent and has
been recognized and affirmed by re-
peated declarations Of the supreme
court. There is 10 enemy Of free gov
ernment more dangerous and none so
lnsidious as the corruption Of the elect
crate. No one defends or excuses cor
ruption. and il would seem TO follow
that none would oppose vigorous meas
ures to eradicate II. I recommend the
enactment of a law directed against
bribery and corruption in federal cleo
lions. The details Of such a law may
be safely left to the wise discretion OF
the congress, but 1t should go as far as
under the constitution It Is -possible to
60 and should include severe penalties
against him who gives or receives a
bride Intended to influence his act or
opinion as ar electOr and provisions for
the publication not only of the expend-
lures for nominations and elections Of
all candidates. but also Of all contribu-
tons received and expenditures made
by political committees"
/ desire to repeat this recommends
ton