The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1907-12-05

of divergent interpretations by the
courts.
Pure-Food Law.
Incidentally, in the passage of the
pure-food law the action of the var
iouS State food and dairy commits
siOnerS showed In striking fashion
how much good for the whole peO-
pie results from the hearty coopera-
ton of the Federal and State Off
Gals IN securing a given reform.
In my message to Congress a year
ago l spoke as follows of the cur
rency:
Currency.
81 especially call your attention to
tie condition of our currency laws.
The national-bank act has ably serv-
ed Sreat purpose in aiding the
enormous business development of
the coz ntry, and within ten years
there has been an increase in circu-
1ation per capita from $21.41 to
S33GS. For several years evidence
has been accommodating that addition
nj legislation is needed. The recur~
renee. of each crop season emphasizes
the defei IS of the present laws. There
must soon be d revision. OF them, be-
cause to leave them as they are
means to irtUr liability of business
disaster. S'Ice your body adjourned
there has -.hoen a fluctuation In the
interest on call money from 2 per
cent to so per cent, and the fiuctua-
ton was even greater during the pre-
ceeding SIX months. The Secretary
OF the Treasury had to step in and by
wise action put a stop 10 the most
violent period of oscillation.
l do not IIess any especial plan
Various plans have recently been
proposed by expert committees
Cf bankers Among the plans which
are possibly feasible and which GER
tainly should receive your considera-
ton is that repeatedly brought to
your attention by the present Secre-
tary of the Treasury. the essential
features of which have been appro-
we'd by many prominent bankers and
business men. According to this plan
national banks should be permitted
to issue a specified proportion of
their capital in notes of a given kind,
the issue to be taxed at so high a
rate as to drive the notes back when
not wanted in legitimate trade. This
plan would not permit the issue of
currency to give banks additional
profits, but to meet the emergency
presented by times of stringency.
Enforcement of the Law.
A, few years ago there was loud
complaint that the law could not be
invoked against wealthy offenders.
There is no such complaint now. The
course of the Department of Justice
during the last few years has been
such. as to make it evident that no
man stands above the law, that no
corporation is so wealthy that it can
not be held to account.
InJuncIlons.
Instances of abuse in the granting
of injunctions in labor disputes con-
tinue to occur and the resentment in
the minds of those who feel that
their rights are being invaded and
their liberty of action and of speech
continue to grow. Much of the at
tack on the use of the process of in
Junction is wholly without warrant;
but l am constrained to express the
belief that for some of it there is
warrant. This question is becoming
more and more one of prime import
ance, and unless the courts will them
selves deal with it in effective man.
ner, 1T is certain ultimately to de-
mand some form of legislative ac-
ton. 1t would be most unfortunate
for our social welfare if we should
permit many honest and lawabidins
citizens to feel that they had Just
cause for regarding our courts with
hostility. L earnestly commend to
the attention of the Congress this
matter, so that some way may be de-
vised which will limit the abuse Of
lnJunctiOns and protect those rights
which from time to time it unwar-
rantably invades. Moreover, discon-
tent is often expressed with the use
Of the process of injunction by the
courts, not only in labor disputes, but
where State laws are concerned.
refrain from discussion OF this ques-
ton as / am informed that it will
soon receive the consideration Of the
Supreme Court.
Accidents.
The loss of life and limb from rail-
road accidents in this country has
heoOme a1)Dalipo IF ic q cuhieof ~
which the National Government
should take supervision. 1t might be
well to begin by providing for a Fed
eral inspection of interstate railroads
somewhat along the lines of Federal
inspection of steamboats,, although
not going so far.
Employers Liability.
The National Government should
be model employer. 1t should de-