Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-03-10
OIL-COAL iIOBE
GETS APPROVAL
President Signs Congressional Reso-
luton For Investigation.
ASKS $4,000 BE APPROPRIATED

Washington, March S-President
Roosevelt sent a message To the con-
gress announcing his signature to the
joint resolution recently passed in
structing the interstate commerce COM
mission to make examination into the
subject OF railroad Determinations
and monopoies in coal and oil.
lie says frankly that he has signed
II with hesitation, because II may
achieve little OF nothing He indicates.
too that il the investigation proposed
by the resolution is conducted thor
oughly. It will result In giving i'm
munity from criminal prosecution to
all persons who are called and sworn
as witnesses.
In the opinion Of the president. the
direction contained in the resolution
will remain practically imperative I'M
less money be- authorized to carry on
the Investigation and the commission
be- authorized 10 take testimony under
its provisions He suggests. therefore,
that congress give serious consdera-
state commerce commission 10 do, and
that the sum Of S5O.OO0 be placed at
the disposal of the commission 10 de
fray the expenses OF the proposed in
ycstigaton
The message in part IS a. follows:
ITO the senate and house of repre-
sentatives have signed the joint reso-
luton instructing the Interstate com
merce commission to max" eXamina-
ton into the subject OF railroad dis
and DIT and report on the same from
time 10 time
II have signed # with hesitation. be
cause in the form in which II was
passed ii achieves very little and may
achieve nothing and Il is highly un-
desirable that resolution of this kind
shall become law in such form as TO
give the impression OF insincerity,
that II is Of pretending 20 DO some
thing which really is not done But
after much hesitation 4 concluded 70
sign the resolution becFlse It's defects
can be remeded by legislation which
| hereby ask for and 1t must be under
stood that unless this subsequent leg
islation is granted the present resou-
ton must be mainly and il may be en-
tircly imperative.
but the direction contained In the
Joint resolution which | have signed
will remain almost imperative unless
money is provided to carry ont the
Investigations in question and unless
he commission in carrying them ont
is authorized 10 administer oaths and
compel the attendance OF witnesses.
As the resolution now is the com
mission which Is very busy with its
legitimate work and which has no ex-
ira money az lis disposal would be
able 20 make the investigation only
in the most partial ana unsatisfactory
manner. and. moreover Il Is question
able whether Il could, under this reso-
: luton. administer oaths at all.ur com
pei the attendance OF witnesses.
"Iaccordinely recommend tocongress
the serious consideration Of just what
they wish the commission 10 do. and
how far thA wish II TO 20. having in
view The possible incompatibility of
conducting an Investigation like this
and also Of proceeding criminally in
court Of law and furthermore, that
a sufficient sum say $50 coo. be- at once
added to the current appropriation for
the commission 50 as to enable them
to do the work Indicated In thor
ough and complete manner while AZ
the same time the power is explicitly
conferred upon them 10 administer
oaths and compel the attendance Of
witnesses in making investigations in
question which covers work quite
apart from the usual duties
1t seems unwise 10 require an in
vestieation by a commission and then
not 10 furnish either the full legal
power or the money. both OF which are
necessary 10 render the investigation
effective"