Evening journal., 1907-12-03
Tuesday, December 3, 1907.
A MODERN MESSAGE.

ID RESIDENT ROOSEVELTS message to
4 Congress, the important parts of which
are published in THE EVENING JOURNAL
this afternoon, discusses modern conditions in
modern manner. The President has grasped
fully the changes that have occurred in modern
industrial life. Our government was founded
before the development of these conditions and
we have been endeavoring TO regulate our affairs
along the lines without considering duly these
changes We are in the age of electricity. Our
forefathers were OF the era of the candle and the
stage coach. But, as the President points out,
the makers of the Constitution in their almost
infinite wisdom. foresaw the evolutionary pro-
cesses in industrial and political life and the
Constitution may be 50 interpreted to apply even
its basic principles to the present day.
The President clearly brings out this point in
his discussion OF interstate commerce In the early
days interstate commerce was carried on chiefly
by water. To-day it is by railroad and water.
To regulate transportation, the President says,
there is ample authority under the Constitution,
but Capitalization in industrial life has proceeded
of Federal activity This may be Capitalization,
but Capitalization in industrial life has preceded
at a rapid pace On this point to meet the cen
tralizaton. as illustrated in the trusts and COM
bines, which are closely interviewer with the
transportation Of the nation the President rec
ommneds a national license system for the rail-
road companies, with the government having au-
thorty to pass upon the further issue Of seeuri-
ties This is a far-reaching suggestion, and will
undoubtedly be strongly opposed by promoters
OF railroads as an extreme of paternalism.
Should such provision be made it would mean
that the governments stamp of approval would
be upon the securities of railroad companies
thereby inspiring confidence of investors The
President urges more legislation to control the
trusts. And in this suggestion he recognizes
modern conditions of industry and touches upon
the most important problem OF our economic life.
He writhes under the slowness OF the present
methods OF proceeding against alleged illegal
combines The President believes that combina-
tons should be prevented from crushing out
competition and establishing monopolies. He
advises changes that would amehorate the
abuses caused by the present tactics OF the
trusts Congress, in considering this subject,
will find the widest scope for its ability in con-
structive craftsmanship Mr.. Roosevelt has been
criticised for his lack OF knowledge of business,
but his message on this point is in accordance
with the best thought of modern writers. He is
a little ancau OF MS lllcS IN America. mat IS
ALL In this part of the message there is no real
assault upon the business interests; simply a rec
ognition of a great modern industrial question,
the solution of which has disturbed not only the
President, but many other thoughtful persons.
Fortifying his remarks on the good effect OF
national concern in the large industrial enter
prises the President recalls that during the recent
financial furry it was the banking institutions be-
yond the control of the government that suffered
Government regulation of trust companies is
urged
The President favors revision Of the tariff,
but not now. The country, he declares, is COM
mitted to the protective system, and revision, he
believes, should come after the next election.
Repeating his former opinions. the President
again favors an income and an inheritance tax
principles (which are recognized in the leading
civilized nations OF the world"
The President recommends postal savings
bank and parcel post systems. He urgently
favors the deepening OF the inland water ways
subject in which Delaware is interested. He rec
ommends increases in the army and navy. The
repeal OF the tariff on forest products, especially
On wood pulp, is supported.
In his opening, Mr.. Roosevelt discourses on
ehe resources Of the nation, and delivers homily