The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-10-05
DEMANDS BIG NAVY.
President Discusses BattIeshiu
Cruise to the Pacific.
GENERALIZATION QUESTION

Mr.. Roosevelt Declares Constitution
Must Be interpreted to Fit Modern
Day Conditions and Not Those When
II Was Adopted.
St Louis, Oct S.-President Roose
Welt. In a speech, declared II the ma
tons duty TO control centrally inter
state railroads and TO restore the Mis-
sissippi river 20 its proper place as 3
great artery OF commerce. He term
ed the proposed 14-foot channel from
the lakes TO the gulf as a national
task" He warned against plana
which might entail reckless extrava
gance or be tainted with jobbery." but
urged liberal water ways policy.
The presidents Rrdor was not di
minished by the fact that he was
drencherd by sudden dOwnpour OF
rain while en- route 10 the Ja Ala
building. where his speech was deliv.
cred
A tremendous cheering and whist
ling greeted the chief executive when
the steamer Mississippi entered 81
Louis harbor 10 make the first stop on
the voyage from Keokuk. Ia. TO Mem
phiS where President Roosevelt will
attend the convention of the deep
waterways association on Friday.
The president especially emphasized
his views on the necessity for central
control of interstate corporations. and
he frequently departed from his maun.
scripts to elaborate on this point. His
1Aw,
some sovereign power that can con
troll these institutions. especially rail-
roads. He spoke at length OF the diff
Guilty In reaching the corporations
which are Incorporated In one state
and operate in another. He instanced
especially his experienced in getting
the southern Pacific railroad to repair
breaks in the Colorado river.
That disaster occurred in Califor
MIA" he said. but do you suppose /
found It possible to deal with the rail-
road there? No. The railroad Is
New Jersey corporation and I had 20
deal with it as such"
He contended that the constitution
must be interpreted 10 fit modern con- |
ditions. and not conditions that exist /
ed when II was adopted.
1T must be construed as an instru- |
ment OF life. and not as a symbol Of
death" he said. The Judges OF the
courts should always stand against
popular clamor. but they should also
recognize the necessity Of q general |
conservatism of the public welfare un-
der present conditions"
q
sition be was lighting the future fight
for the rich: for. II the rich committed /
excuses now, they invited excuses
against themselves and their pos /
terity"
Speaking OF the improvement of the I
Mississippi river. he warned the advo- /
Gates OF tnat interest against insult
GENTLY considered local improvements.
The waterways system must be treat
Cd as whole and the enterprise must
Got be tainted either with folly or dis
honesty.
The nation having definitely taken
rs place among word powers. Presi-
lent Roosevelt maintained that 1t
would be a sign Of ignoble weakness
.or the country TO shlrk it's RESPONSE
1ility- Unless the nation was willing
% abandon its insistence upon the
Monroe doctrine, to give up the Pan
ina Canal. and to acknowledge Itself
umid nation. he declared. great
lighting navy must be steadily built up
Ind maintained.
He referred to the coming cruise of
he Pacific fleet which. he said. would
eturn TO its home waters in the At
anuc.
He declared such voyage was ne
essary 10 determine the country's ma
al needs and 10 give the officers and
nen OF the navy the required practice.