The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-08-20

the public. | believe In national In
corporation law for corporations engaged
in interstate business ! believe FUR
thermDre, that the need for action IL
most pressing as regards those corpora
tions which, because they are common
carriers, exercise quasi-public fmc-
iton; and which can be completely con-
trolled, in all respects by the Federal
Government, by the EXERCISE of the
power conferred under the interstate
commerce clause, and, if necessary, un-
der the post-road clause, of the Consti-
tuition. During the last few years we
have taken marked strides in advance
along the road of proper regulation of
these railroad corporations; but we
must stop in the work. The National
Government should exercise over them a
similar supervision and control to that
which it exercises over national banks.
We can do this only by proceeding far
tlBer along the lines marked out by the
recent national Legislation.
In dealing with any new set of con-
ditions there must at the outset be
hesitation and experiment. Ultimately,
and | hope with reasonable speed, the
National Government must pass laws
which, while increasing the supervisory
and regulatory power Of the Govern
ment, also permits such useful comhina-
tions as are made with absolute openness
and as the representatives Of the
Government may previously approve,
But it will not be possible to permit
such combinations save as the second
stage in a course Of proceedings Of
which the first stage must be the ex-
ercise Of far more complete control by
the National Government.
In dealing with those who offend
against the antitrust and interstate
commerce laws the Department of JUS
tice has to encounter many and great
difficulties.
Many men of large wealth have been
guilty of conduct which from the moral
standpoint is criminal and their mis-
deeds are to peculiar degree repre-
hensible, because those committing them
have no excuse of want, of poverty. Of
weakness and ignorance to offer as par.
tial atonement When in addition TO
moral responsibility these men have a
legal responsibility which can be proved
80 as to impress Judge and jury, then
the department will strain every nerve
to reach them criminally. Where this is
impossible, then it viii take whatever
action will be the most effective under
the actual conditions.
In the last six years we have shown
that there is no individual and no cor
poration so powerful that he or il stands
above the possibility of punishment uu.
der the law. Our aim Is to try 10 do
something effective; our purpose is to
stamp out the evil; we shall seek to find
the most effective devise for this pur.
pose; and we shall then use IL, whether
the device can be found in existing law
or must be supplied by legislation
Moreover, when we thus take action
against the wealth which works iniquity
we are acting in the interest of every
man of property who acts decentiy and
fairly by his fellows; and we are
strengthening the hands of those who
propose fearlessly TO defend property
against all unjust attacks. No indi.
vidual, no corporation, obeying the law
has anything to fear from this admins
tration.
very earnestly hope that the legis
lation which deals With the regulation
of corporations engaged in interstate
business win also deal with the rights
and interests Of the wageworkers EN-
ployed by those corporations. Action
was taken by the Congress last year
! limiting the number Of hours that rail
way employees should be employed. The
| law is a good one but If in practice il
4 proves necessary to strengthen ii, II
must be strengthened. We have now Sc
cured national employers liability
| law; but ultimately q more far-reachinl
and thorough going law must be passed
| 1t is monstrous that a man or woman
who is crippled in an industry, ever
as the result Of taking what are th,
necessary risks of the occupation, SHOULD
be required to bear the whole burder
OF the loss. That burden should b
distributed and not PLACED solely upor
the weakest individual. the one least
able to carry it. BY making the EN-
ployer liable the loss will ultimately b,
distributed among all the benefeiariei
of the business.
/ ] also hope that there viii be legis
lation increasing the power Of the ma
tional government to deal with certain
matters concerning the health of ON
people everywhere; the federal authon
ties, for instance, should Join with al
the state authorities in warning against
the dreadful scourge Of tuberculosis
Your own state government, here il
Massachusetts,, deserves high praise fo
the action il has taken in these public
health matters during the last few
years and in this, as in some other mat
ters, hope TO see the national govern
ment stand abreast Of the foremos
state governments.
The president was followed by Ambas
sador Bryce, Senator Lodge and Con
/ gresham Lowering. The party thei
marched to the town hall for the ban
quet.