The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-04

WASHINGTON. Dec. 3.--The annual
message OF President Roosevelt was read
today 10 both Houses of Congress- and
practically no business was attempted
BY either body beyond listening to the
message, The galleries Of both Senate
and House were crowded in the begin
ning Of the session Of each body. bur as
the reading progressed the attendance
diminished somewhat. In the main, how
ever II WIS well maintained until the
last sentences Of tho document had fall
en- from the lips OF the official readers.
The reading consumed about two and a
quarter hours in both Houses. A few
bills were introduced in the House, but
80 far no bills have been presented in
the Senate, but nearly every Senator's
desk win be covered with these docu-
ments and the probable food win break
out tomorrow.
Speaker Cannon treated the House to
a surprise by naming Charles n. Fowler
of New Jersey as chairman OF the com
mittee on banking and currency. This
advance information on that com
mittee led to the conclusion on the part
of many that it was his intention to
press financial legislation, but those
close to the Speaker say his purpose was
to afford q depository for petitions and
letters bearing upon the currency ques-
ton. The membership committee was
increased by the addition Of one Demo
crat, making seven members Of that
party on 1t, instead Of six as in the last
Congress, This is in accordance with
the request Of the minority leader,
Williams, but II is said It win not be
taken as an indication that this request
win be complied with as to all other
committees. Both Houses adjourned
almost Immediately after the conclusion
Of the reading o. the message, the House
going over until Thursday.
NO nation has greater resources than
ours, and | think it can be truthfully
said that the citizens Of no nation pos
sess greater energy and industrial abil-
|ity, In no nation are the fundamental
business conditions sonnder than in
ours at this very moment; and It is
foolish, when such il the case, for people
to hoard money instead Of keeping II in
sound banks; for II Is such boarding
that is the immediate occasion Of money
stringency. Moreover, as rule, the
business OF our people Is conduc' ii
with honesty and probity. and this h. !,
plies alike to farms and factories, to
railroads and banks, to all our legiti-
mate commercial enterprises.
In any large body of men, however,
there are certain to be some who are
dishonest. and II the conditions are
such that these men prosper or commit
their misdeeds with impunity. their ex.
ample is a very evil thing for the com
munity. Where these men are business
men Of great sagacity and Of tempera-
ment both unscrupulous and recklers,
and where the conditions are such I'll !
they act without supervision or contrC'
and at first without effective check from
public opinion, they delude many in
nocent people into making investments
| or embarking in kinds of business that
are really unsound. When the misdeeds
Of these successfully dishonest men are
discovered, suffering comes not only up
on them, but upon the innocent men
whom they have misled. 1t is a pain.
full awakening, whenever 1t occurs; and
naturally, when 1t does occur those who
suffer are apt to forget that the longer
1t was deferred the more painful it
would be- In the effort to punish the
guilty 1t is both wise and proper to en-
deavor so far as possible to minimize
! the distress Of those who have beer