The Washington herald., 1907-12-04

President ROosevelts message 20 the
first session OF the Sixtieth Congress was
sent TO the Capitol yesterday and read
in both houses. 1t was taken from the
White House to the Capitol by Assistant
Secretary Latta-
One OF the most prominent features OF
the message is the recommendation that
the government finance the Presidential
campaigns Of the principal political par
ties, this being intended as a measure to
prevent in future the contribution Of
large sums to those parties by corpora
tions having an interest in the outcome,
there being a provision attached to the
recommendation, that party organizations
accepting such aid shall limit the contri-
buttons OF individuals and publish the
names Of all such contributors.
The President expressed the expecta-
ton that this idea would cause surprise.
and he rather underestimated its effect
The most important feature of the mes
sage is undoubtedly that affecting the
tariff. which is n virtual admission that
revision is a necessity demanded by popu-
lar opinion.
The President advises that interests
which would be affected by such changes
be notified in advance Of the changes.
and that no revision be undertaken in
the year preceding a Presidential cleo
ton, but rather that it be left for the
session following the election.
This may be viewed IN some quarters
as an adroit handling of the subject for
campaign purposes, and many win see
in 1t a bearing upon Mr.. R0osevelts own
uncertain position toward the Republican
nomination next year.
The mequivocal recommendation that
the tariff on wood pulp and other forest
products grown I'm this country be abol-
ished will doubtless meet with general
approval. as the country is beginning to
realize the danger Of the total destruc-
ton Of its forests. which is inevitable
y-less Immediate and adequate measures
are taken 10 avert 1t. as the President
himself declares in no uncertain terms
Causes of Stringency.
The most immediate interest however
attaches 10 the way in which Mr.. Roose-
velt discusses and proposes to deal with
the recent financial stringency and its
causes, He takes strong stand against
the assumption that his policies and ex-
pressions regarding the misuse Of wealth
and corporate power was the cause he
hind the furry which for several weeks
kept the country on the rack. and puts
the blame on the timorous ones who
transferred their funds from the bank to
the stocking or the safe-deposit vault.
and with this stand the majority Of think
ing people who are cOnversant with the
facts doubtless will agree He also puts
at the door Of the INSCRIPTIONS specuIa
tor and mishander of the countrv's
money his share of the responsibility for
the temporary panic, and declares that so
long as dishonest methods are used bv
those who direct the avenues of finance
and delude the people into investing in
unsafe enterprises. the country will not
be safe from such embarrassment as re-
Gently troubled It, and that the longer
such enterprises are allowed 70 flourish
the greater will be the danger and the
more disastrous the crash which must in
evitably occur.
He declared the fundamental business
conditions of the country to be ent,rA1v
sound and, this being So there was GER
tainly no occasion for the panicky feel
ing that existed among investors.
As 10 Currency Reform.
In recommending provision for an emer-
gency currency the President said the
issue should be made with an effective
guaranty and upon conditions prescribed
by the government. It should be based
upon adequate securities subject n a
heavy tax
He declared the most vital need TO he
IN connection with the railroads and as
serted that railroads and all other cor
porations would do well to recognize
that Federal control must come event
ually.
Most certainly" he said ..tbera Will,
be no relaxation by the government am
thorities in the effort to get at any great
railroad-wrecker or any man who nv
clever swindling devices, robs investors
oppresses 'wage-workers, and does inius-
tice 10 the public"
Further regulation Of interstate COM
merce. through the Federal incorporation
OF railroads and the regulation OF cor
porations engaging I'm such business. is
proposed. showing that the President is
satisfied that what has been done along
that line has justified itself and paved the
way for its completion. He advocates
changes in the sherman antitrust law
which will permit business combination
under proper government supervision and
control
FaVOrs Inland Waterways.
The message contained strong in
dorsement Of the inland waterways pro-
ject. The Mississippi. he said, should be
improved at once and later other chan
nels which would eventually complete a
chain Of water highways should receive
attention.
Other features Of the message were
suggestions for legislation regarding child
labor and women workers, manual train
ing in schools, national system of grain
inspection, government appropriation for
national campaigns improved foreign
mail service, and representation OF this
government at the Japanese Exposition.
Would Regulate Strikes.
More radical than any former pro-
nOuncement from the President concern