The Washington herald., 1907-08-21

thing OF the trouble. believe to the ex-
tent OF having caused these men TO con-
trive to bring as much fine ncial strife as
possible in order 10 discredlt the policy of
the government and thereby secure a re-
versai Of that policy. so that they may
enjoy unmolested the fruits Of their own
evil doings.
They have misled many good people
into believing that there had been such
reversal of policy If possible. II 50, am
sorry; but It viii not alter my attitude.
VIII Continue Present Policy.
Once for all. let me say that, as far as
am concerned. and for the eighteen
months of my Presidency that remain
there will be no change in the policy we
have steadily pursued, or let-up in the
efforts to secure the honest observance
of the law. for I regard this contest as
one TO determine who shall rule this free
country the people. through their gov
cTmental agents. OF a few ruthless
domineering men. whose wealth makes
them peculiarly formidable because they
hide behind the breastworks OF corporate
organizations. wish there TO be no mis-
take on this point; II is idle o ask me
not to prosecute criminals. rich or poor
but I desire no less emphatically 10 have
it understood that We have sanctioned
and viii sanction no action OF a vindictive
type. and, above all. no action which shall
infiict great and unmerited suffering upon
innocent stockholders and upon the public,
as a whole our purpose IS 10 act with
minimum harshness compatible with ct
tanning our end. In the man Of great
wealth. who has earned his wealth hon
estly, and uses II wisely. we recognize a
good citizen Of the best type. worthy Of
all praise and respect. Business can only
be done under modern conditions through
corporations. and OUr purpose is heartily
10 favor the corporations that do well
/ The administration appreciates that
liberal but honest profits for legitimate
promoting, good salaries for able and up
right management, and dividends for cap
ital employed. either in founding or con-
tinuing wholesome business ventures. are
the factors necessary for successful cor
porate activity. and. therefore. for gener-
ally prosperous business condition.
All these are compatible witE fair deal
ings as between man and man, and rigid
obedience 20 the law. Our aim is to help
every honest man. every honest corpora
ton. and our policy means in the ultimate
analysis a healthy and prosperous eXpan-
sion Of business activity, or honest busi-
ness men and honest corporations.
Wants Legislative Action.
I very earnestly hope that the legisla-
ton which deals with the regulation OF
corporations engaged In interstate busI-
ness will also deal with the rights and
interests Of the wageworkers employed
by those corporations. Action was taken
by the Congress last year limiting the
number Of hours that railway employees
should be employed. The law is q good
one; but II in practice Il proves neces-
sary 20 strengthen Il. IL must be strength
ened. We have now secured a national
employers liability law; but ultimately
"a more far-reaching and thorough going
law must be passed. Il Is monstrous that
a man or woman who IS crippled in an
industry. even as the result Of taking
what are the necessary risks OF the occu-
patton, should be required 70 bear the
whole burden Of the loss That burden
should be distributed and not placed sole
~ upon the weakest individual. the one
least able 10 carry It, BY making the en-
plOyer liable. the loss viii ultimately be
distributed among all the benehciaries
Of the business.
1 also hope that there will be legisla-
ton increasing the power OF the national
government 20 deal with certain matters
concerning the health Cf our people every
where; the Federal authorities. for In
stance, should join with ali the State au-
thorities IN warning against the dread
ful scOurgc Of tuberculosis Your own
State government here IN Massachusetts,.
deserves high praise for the action ii has
taken IN these public health matters dur
ing the last few years: and IN this. as in
some other matters, 1 hope to see the na-
uonal government stand abreast Of the
foremost State governments.
Needs High Citizenship.
I have spoken Of but one or two laws
which, in my judgment. it is advisable /
10 enact as part Of the general scheme for
making the interference Of the national /
government more effective in securing /
justice and fair dealing as between man |
and man here IN the United States. Let
me add, however, that while il is neces- !
sary 10 have legislation when conditions
arise where we can only cope with evils
through the joint action OF all Of US. we; /
that we can never afford TO forget that
in the last analysis the all-lmportant /
factor for each Of US must be his own |
individual character. Il is a necessary 1
thing TO have good laws. good institu- 1
lions; but the most necessary OF all 1
Things is 10 have a high quality OF indI-
Vlduai citizenship. This does not mean I
that we can afford TO neglect legislation. /
II VIII be highly disastrous II we Kermit /
ourselves TO be misied by the pleas of /
those who see in an unrestricted individ- (
uallsm The all-sufficient panacea for So
clai evils; but it viii be even more dis
astrous to adopt the opposite panacea Of
any socialistic system which would de-
stioy an lndlYidualism. which would root
OUT the hber Of our whole citizenship.
IN any great movement, such as that IN
"hlch We are engaged. nothing is moro
necessary than sanity-than the refusal "a
pe Ied into extremes by the advocates Of
the ultra course on either side. Those pro-
tessed friends OF liberty who champlo, IL
cehse are the worst foes Of liberty. and
tehd Dy the reaction their violence causes
10 throw the government back into the
hands Of the men who champion corrup-
llon and tyranny in the name of order
30 II is with this movement for. securing
Jusuce toward all men, and equality OF
opportunity so far as 1t can be secured
by governmental action. The rich ua7
VINO with hard arrogance declines 10
consider the rights and the needs of those
VINO are less we'll off, and the poor man
VINO eXcites or INDUCES IN envy and
hatred Of those who are bett,. or are
alike alien to the spirit Of our national
life. Each OF them should learn Ia an
preciate the baseness and degradation OF
his point OF view, as evil in the one case