Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-10

ernmental supervision as will curb those
monopolieS which crush out all individual
initiative. The railroad itself cannot with
out such government aid protect the inter-
ests of its own stockholders as against one
of these great corporations loosely known
as trusts.
Approves Proper Agreements.
In the effort to 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 to themselves and to the gen.
eral public as against the power. of the
great corporations. They should certainly
be given power thus to unite on condi-
lions laid down by Congress, such condl-
lions to include the specific approval of
the interstate commerce commission of any
agreement to which the railroads may
come. In addition to this the govern
ment must interfere through its agents to
deprive the railroad of the ability to make
to the big corporations the concession which
otherwise it is powerless TO refuse
The government should have power by
its agents to examine into the conduct OF
the railways-that is, the examiners, under
the direction of the interstate commerce
commission, should be able to examine as
thoroughly into the affairs of the railroad
as bank examiners now examine into the
affairs of banks.
Commission Needs Power.
1t is impossible to work a material i'm
provement in conditions such above de-
of a lawsuit. A lawsuit is often a neces-
sary method but by itself it is an utterly
inadequate method. What is needed is the
comforting upon TIE commission of ample
affirmative power, conferred as make
its decisions take effect at once, subject
only to such action by the court as is de-
manded by the Constitution The courts
have the power to, and will undoubtedly,
interfere if the action->of the commission
should become in effect coniscatory of the
property of an individual or corporation or
if the commission should undertake to do
anything beyond the authority conferred
upon it by the law under which it is acting.
l 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 injustice. and injustice
| of much more injurious kind. results
and must always result from the failure TO
give the commission ample power to act
promptly and effectively within these broad
limits.
Free Alcohol VIII Help.
Though not bearing upon the question
of railroad rates, there are two measures
consderati ton of which is .imperativeiy sug
gested by the submission of this report.
The Standard Oil Company has, largely by
unfair or unlawful methods. 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 government,
either upon the public domain proper or in
territory owned by the Indian tribes, should
be alienated. The fee to such lands should
be kept in the United States government
| whether or not the profits arising froln it
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 there
| Of THEODORE ROOSEVELT.