The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-08-30

condition that organized labor and organ
lied capital alike act in a spirit of justice
and fair dealing. and with due regard to
both the letter and the spirit OF the law.
We heartily favor trades unions and we
recognize in them, in the corporations
when properly conducted. indispensable in
struments In the economic life OF the pres
ent day; but where either type of organ
ization is guilty Of abuse, do not pro
pose to weaken the remedial powers OF the
government to deal with such abuse.
We are anxious TO help. alike by law
and by executive action. far as In our
power lies, every honest man, every right
dealing labor union. and for the matter of
that, every right dealing corporation. But
as corollary TO this, We intend fearlessly
and resoutely TO uphold the law, and to
strengthen Ii, so that we can put down
wrong, whether done by rich poor; II
done by the most powerful corporation
the most influential labor union, just as
much as il done by the humbest and least
influential individual in the land
The fact that we heartily recognize an
organization or a kind Of organization as
control it or to prevent its committing
abuses when II uses In wrong fashion the
power which organization confers.
The enactment into law of the bill re
moving the tax alcohol used in the arts
will ultimately be OF marked benefit to us
In more ways than one. IL shows likewise
the entire willingness Of those responsible
for the handling o. the present Congress TO
by taxation on Imports or internal taxa.
ton, whenever Ii Is necessary SO 10 do.
Stands by Protective Tariff.
We stand unequivocaly for "a protective
tariff, and we feel that the phenomenal In
dustrial prosperity which We are now en-
joying Is not lightly TO be jeopardized. for Ii
would be TO the last degree TO secure here
and there a small benefit at the cost OF a
general business depression. But whenever
a given rate or schedule becomes evidently
Instantaneous 10 the nation. because of
the changes which go on from year to year
In our conditions and where IL Is feasible TO
change this rate schedule without too
much dislocating of the SYSTEM. IL VIII be
done: while general revision OF the rates
and schedules will be undertaken whenever
Ii shall appear 10 the sober business sense
of our people that on the whole the benefits
to be derived from making such changes
will outweigh the Disadvantages; that Is,
when the revision Will do more good than
harm.
Let me add one word OF caution. however
The question of revising the tariff stands
wholly apart from the question OF dealing
with the so-called "trusts-that Is, with
the control OF monopolies and with the SUI
pervision of great wealth In business, espe-
cialiys in corporate form. The only way in
which Ii Is possible TO deal with those trusts
and monopolies and this great corporate
wealth Is by action along the line Of the
Its immediate predecessors.
The cry that the problem can be met by
any changes in the tariff represents. wheth-
er consciously unconsciousiy, an effort to
divert the public attention from the only
method of taking effective action
| shall not attempt to enumerate all the
good measures of less Importance which the
present Congress has enacted into law, al
though some of these measures, as, for In
stance. the consular bill and the naturalza-
tion bill, are OF wide reaching effect. have
said enough TO show why. In my judgment.
you and your colleagues are entitled to the
good wishes of all those American citizens
who believe that there are real evils In our
Industrial and economic system, and that
these evils can be effectively grappled with,
not by loose defamation but by resolute and
intelligent legislation and executive action.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
James z. Watson, NJ c.. Rushviile, Ind.