The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-12-03
MESSAGE READ
TO CONGRESS
Both Houses Hear PrcSi-
dents Recommendations
|. IS H.. A, T.. :. ''s '::. .FPIsTlE
ADVOCATE LEGISLATION ON CUR
RENcY AND URGES FURTHER
ENAcTMENfs ON INTER-
| STATE COMMERCE.

WASHINGTON, Dec 3.-Congress
convened at the usual hour today and
listened to the reading of the presi-
dents message which was in part as
follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
! No nation has greater resources than
ours, and l think it can be truthfully
said that the citizens. of no nation
possess greater energy and Industrial
ability. In no nation are the fuLda-
mental business conditions sounder
than in ours at this very moment; and
it is foolish, when such is the case, for
people to hoard money instead of keep
ing it in sound banks; for it is such
hoardir.g that is the immediate occa-
sion of money stringency. Moreover, as
a rule, the business of our people is
conducted with honesty ana probity,
and this applies alike to farms and
| factories, to railroads, and banks, to
! all our legitimate commercial enter
iprises.
there are certain to- be some who are
dishonest, and if the conditions are
such that these men prosper or commit
their misdeeds with impunity, their
example is very evil thing for the
community
! There may be honest differences of
opinion as to many governmental poll
] cies; but surely there can be no such
differences as to the need of unf1inch-
ing perseverance in the war against
successful dishonesty.
! Here the president quoted from his
message of December 5, 1905, in which
he urged legislation for the regulation
of interstate commerce believing that
proper regulation could be obtained
only by enactment of laws by congress.
Interstate Commerce.
! The founders of the constitution pro-
! vided that the national government
should have complete and sole control
of interstate commerce. There was
then practically no interstate business
save such as was conducted by water,
and this the national government at
once proceeded to regulate in thorough
going and effective fashion Conditions
have now so wholly changed that the
interstate commerce by water is in
significant compared with the amount
that goes by land, and almost all big
business concerns are now. engaged. in
interstate commerce. As a result. it
can be but partially and imperfec.ly
controlled or regulated by the action
of any one of the several states; such
action inevitably tending to be either
too drastic or else too lax and in Ell her
case ineffective for purposes of Justice
Only the national government can in
thoroughgoing fashion exercise the
needed control. There should be no ex-
tension OF federal activity. This is not
advocating Capitalization
THE most vital need is in connection
with the railroads. AS to these in My
judgment there should now be either
national Incorporation act or q law Ii
icensing railway companies to engage
ia Interstate commerce uron certain
conditions. The law should be so
framed as to give TO the. interstate
commerce commission power to pass
upon the future issue o securities,
While ample means sh, be provided
to enable the commission, whenever in
its judgment it is necessary, to make {;
! hysical VA uation of any railroad.
Until the national government as
in the exe-cise of the authority it al
iready posses, it will : be impossible
either to give to or to get from the
railroads full: Justice
Sherman Antitrust Law.
There should be additional! legisia-
lion looking to the propt- control nf
the great business concerns engaged in
interstate business, this control to be
exercised for their own benefit and
prosperity no less than for the protec-
tion of investors and of the general
public. As / have repeatedly said in
messages to the congress and else
where, experience has definitely shown
not merely the unwisdom but the fu-
tility of endeavoring to put stop to
all business combinations
! In the recent business crisis it is
noteworthy that the institutions which