The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-05-04


is thus improperly, and probably I'M
lawfully. favored at the expense of it's
competitors and Of the general public
The argument is sometimes advanced
against comforting upon some govern
mental body the power of supervision
and control over interstate commerce.
that TO do so tends TO weaken indlvId-
ual initiative. Investigations such as
this conclusively disprove any such al
legation. On the contrary the proper
play for individual Initiative can only
be secured by such governmental SUI
pervision as will curb those monopolles
which crush out all Individual initia-
tive. The railroad itself cannot with
out such Government aid protect the IN
terests OF its own stockholders as
against one of these great corporations
loosely known as trusts.
Railroads Ridden Down.
In the effort 10 prevent the railroads
from uniting for improper purposes We
have very unwisely prohibited them
from uniting for proper purposes; that
is. for purposes OF protection 10 them
selves and TO. the general public as
against the power OF the great corpora
tons. They should certainly be given
power thus 10 unite on conditions laid
down by Congress. such conditions TO
include the specific approval of the In
terstate Commerce Commission OF any
agreement 10 which the railroads may
come. In addition 10 this the Govern
ment must interfere through Its agents
TO deprive the railroad of the ability 10
make to the big corporations the cor
cessions which otherwise II Is power
less to refuse.
by tic agents TO examine into the con-
duct OF the railways-that is. the ex
aminers under the direction Of the In
he able TO examine as thoroughly into
the affairs OF the railroad as bank eX-
aminers now examine into the affairs
OF banks.
Courts Are Inadequate.
1t is impossible TO work material
Improvement in conditions such as above
described merely through the instru-
mentality of a law suit. law suit is
often a necessary method; but. by It
self II is an utterly inadequate method.
What is needed is the comforting upon
the commission OF ample Affirmative
power. so conferred as TO make its de-
cisions take effect at once. subject only
70 such action by the court as is de-
manded by the Constitution.
The courts have the power 70. and will
undoubtedly. interfere IL the action
OF the commission should become in
effect confiscatory of the property of an
individual or corporation. or IL the COM
mission should undertake TO do anything
beyond the authority conferred upon IL
by the law under which Il is acting
am well aware that within the limits
thus set the commission may at times
be guilty of Injustice; but far grosser
and far more frequent injus ice, and in
Justice of a much more injurious kind,
now results and must always result
from the failure TO give the commission
ample power TO act promptly and effec-
lively within these broad limits.
Free Alcohol as Competing Product.
Though not bearing upon the question
Of railroad rates. there are two meas
ures consideration of which is impera-
lively suggested by the submission OF
this report The Standard OIL Company
has largely by unfair or unlawful meth
DDS. crushed out home competition.
1t is highly desirable that an element
Of competition should be introduced by
the passage of some such law as that
which has already passed the House.
putting alcohol used in the arts and
manufactures upon the free list.
Furthermore. the time has come when
no oil or coal lands held by the Govern
ment. either upon the public domain
proper or in territory owned by the In
dian tribes. should be alienated The
fee to such lands should be kept in the
United States Government whether or
not the profits arising from il are TO be
given to any Indian tribe. and the lands
should be leased only on such terms
and for such periods as Will enable the
Government to keep entire control
thereof
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House. May 4, 1906.