The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-31
CASSATT'S DEATH
A NATIONAL LOSS
He Was in Sympathy With
R0oseveIt's Conservative
Control of Railroads.
HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE
1T WAS EXPECTED THAT THE
LATE EXECUTIVE WOULD
HAVE GREATLY AIDED THE
PRESIDENTS PROPOSALS.
HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE
National News service.)

tNatlODdI news SefFlce.)
Washington, Dec. 30-Far reaching
as it's effect on the railroad world
may be, the sudden death of Presi-
dent A. J. Cassatt is already a subject
of much discussion in Washington in
its relations to politics. Those ex-
perts who realize the necessary inter
dependence and need for cooperation
between the government and CONNER
cial enterprises already point to Its
significance. In word, 1t removes
one of the most powerful influences
in the field of business for desired
proper solution by the government OF
the great problems of the day.
There is no doubt that President
Cassatt. looking ahead, understood
that the question of the regulation
of corporations was one of the great
est and most intricate before the
country. While Secretary Roots re-
cent speech is still causing surprise,
it in large measure simply recognize
ed the need for dealing with those
problems which Mr.. Cassatt foresaw.
AS the head of one of the greatest
railroads in the world his stand dur
ing the consideration of the rate bill
in backing up President Roosevelt,
is now, in the light of subsequent
events. taken here merely as an in
dication of his foresight.
The loss of leader and co-worker
of such prominence and influence, 1T
is now pointed out. is much to be reg
retted. whether viewed from a party
or national standpoint. In the So
luton of the large problems of bust
ness which are now occupying such
An important position, he was looked
upon in Washington by the support
ers of Mr.. RoosevelfE policies as an
exceptionally valuable aid, whose loss
IL to be deeply deplored
Drastic Regulation DepIored.
The President in his message plain
ly indicated his belief in the regula-
ton Of large corporations by the Fed
eral government. but he as plainly
indicated that such regulation should
De achieved with the utmost care and
regard for the business development
of the country. Hasty ill-timed, or
being too dangerous to allow any
thing but the most painstaking care
in the solution of these problems. In
the sentiment already crystallizing
about the Presidents ideas in this
matter, Mr. Cassatt's influence
was expected to be lead |
ing factor Like Mr.. Roosevelt |
he believed that Federal regu-
lation instead of heterogeneous
ineffective and harmful state laws
should be advocated, and through his |
position his backing was warmly well |
coined. Like the President, also, Mr.. |
Cassett deplored the tendency to /
look upon all corporations as harm |
full because of the sins of a few. the |
two men standing together in their /
belief in the right sort of regulation |
and their antagonism to indiscrimn-
ate frustrating, as a menace to the
country's prosperity.
Politicians are Outspoken.
Politicians here who feel no person
al loss in Mr.. Cassatts death. are
nevertheless outspoken in their belief
that it 3 particularly untimely The I
question of the regulation of corpora
lions is in the fore front. and the
harmful workings on the business
communities of extreme and incffec-
tive laws passed by certain Western
states shows the dangers which must
be avoided. In the case of one State
at leasS. a law founded on the dema-
gogic utterances and fostering of
class feeling which the President de-
plored in his message, has already
cost that State millions of dollars in
lost business. without bringing about
a single benefit.
Undoubtedly the two presidents,
Roosevelt and Cassatt. each seeing
things in his own way. hoped as
strongly to avoid such legislation and
its consequent i'll effects. as they hop
ed and in the case of President
Roosevelt. continue to hope and work
for proper regulation. 1t is general
ly stated here that in the work for
such proper regulation as both of
them stood for, as well as in the equ-
ally important task of stilling the
demagogic cry and preventing ill
timed legislation. Presidents Roose-
welt and Cassatt represented the
best interests of the country. Mr..
Cassatt undoubtedly was conserva-
tive, but conservative in the new
sense in comparison with extremists,
realizing as he did the need of prop
er regulation of corporations. 1t is
therefore not surprising that his loss
is looked upon here as a national cal
amity.