The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-31

vested in the Federal government fun
power Of supervision and control over the
railways doing Interstate business, a
power in many respects analogous 10 and
as complete as that the government exer-
cises over the national banks
In these words President Roosevelt yes
terday defined his attitude toward the
railroads in an address delivered by him
as the chief speaker at the unveiling of
a monument TO Maj. Gen. Henry w. Law
ton.
Farther on he asserted that upright
public servants should be as vigilant TO
protect them against harm as 10 prevent
them from doing harm" The president de-
clared railroads should not be prohibited
from acquiring connecting lines, but ac-
ouiring stocks, bonds or other securities
OF such lines"
President Roosevelt's address was a re-
sponse 10 the opportunities that he state
his position relative TO the railroad situa-
tion. which began at the time of the big
panic in Wall street and have been renew
ed internationally and with much ompha-
sis since that time.
The president and his party accompan-
fed by Vice President Fairbanks. arrived
here at l04s this morning. The president
and vice president were met at the station
by a large reception committee i'm car
riages at the head OF which were Sena-
tors Beveridge and Hemenway and Rep
resentstive Overstreet.
GREET PRESIDENT.
They were driven at once 10 the Fair
banks home, where luncheon was served.
Along Meridian street for two miles
crowds pressed against the street ropes.
Every building was decorated. The wealth
er though cloudy was cool and pleasant.
Following the luncheon began the for
nation OF the march TO the court house
grounds for the unwilling ceremonies. For
two miles the parade passed through solid
banks of people, who gave the president
an enthusiastic greeting.
Acting as escort 10 the president were
three battalions and one battery OF United
States troops. IL companies and one bat
terry of the Indiana National Guard. vet
terans of the G.. A. r. and other organiza-
tions.
AT the court house grounds elaborate
arrangements had been made To seat sew
eral thousand persons, including the vet
Grams OF the G.. A. r.. On the platform
were Mrs. Lawton and her three daugh-
ters.
cHEERED LOUDLY.
The program OF exercises included an
invocation by Rev. ID. II. Lucas, an ad-
dress by Gov. J. Frank Hanly and music
by the Seventh Regiment band.
James Whitcomb Riley read his poem,
Gen. Lawton's memory when the body
was being brought home from the Philip
pines. and the curtain covering the mon
ument was withdrawn by Miss Frances
Lawton. daughter OF the dead general
Gov. Hanly then introduced the presi-
dent.
THE ADDRESS.
After referring TO the obliteration OF
sectional lines since the war. the presi-
dent said:
THE hero whose monument we today
unveil, by his life bore singula: testi-
mony 10 the completeness of the re-
union. Gen. LawtOn In his youth fought
CALAMITY In the Civil War. Thirty-three
ysars afterward he again marched TO
war, this time against a foreign foe. and
served with distinguished abtiity ana
success as a general officer. both in Cuba
and in the Philippines.
When he thus served II was in an
army whose generals included not only
many OF his old comrades In arms, but
some of hds old opponents also. as Gen.
Wheeler and Gen. Fitzhuelh Lee. Under
him. both among the commissioned Off
GERS and In the ranks, were many men
whose fathers had worn the blue. serving
side by side with others whose fathers
had worn the gray. but all Americans
now.
ITO Gen. Lawton 1t beifell actually to
OF those noble tragedies where our pride
rises above our sorrow. For ne died In
the fullness OF time, serving his country
with entire devotion--a death that every
man may we'll envy
PROPERTY RIGHTS
Taking UP the issues OF today, the
president continued:
One great problem that we have be-
fore ue ~ to preserve the rights OF
property; and these can only be pre-
served IL we remember that they are IN
less Jeopardy from the socialist and the
anarchist than from the predatory man
OF wealth.
There can be no halt in the course
we have deliberately elected To pursue
the policy of asserting the right OF the
nation. 30 far as Il has the power, "a
supervise and control the business uss
OF wealth. especially I'm its corporate
form. Today ! wish 10 say n word 20
you about the first and most important
feature of this task. the control OF the
common carriers doing an interstate
business; control absolutely vested in
the nation.
'Every federal law dealing with