The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-16

airy government IN the Rnlnpp1neS, a
community consisting of 1000, 600 people.
inhabiting 800 different islands. many of
whom were in open rebellion against
the government Of the United States
for four years. with all the disturbances
following from robber and predatory
time, due to local causes, has been
brought to state of profound peace
and tranquility in which the people
as whole are Loyalty supporting the
government In the maintenance OF or.
der" - 5-ss-ss =
Cuban Problem.
The resignation of President Palma
of the republic of Cuba and the fail
ure of the Cuban congress to elect
successor left that island without
government at a time when great as
order prevailed, and the president
deemed 1t his duty to establish a pro-
visional government, restore order, ad.
minister law and Justice, but coupled
with the announcement that this action
was preliminary to the re-establsh-
ment of orderly government In the Is
land. The threatened insurrections
were averted, peace and good order re-
stored. and the development of produc-
ton, transportation, and commerce re-
stunned. Public order has been perfect
ly kept, and at no time for century
has the island been so free from
marauding bands as under American
provisional administration. Local and
national elections are to be held and
the government again turned over to
the Cuban people.
Our, navy has been strengthened
until today we hold a second place
among the naval powers in the world,
and our fleet of battle ships rides
triumphantly around the globe. re-
ceiving the friendly salutations Of the
nations, conveying peace and good
will to all the people.
of L.
prosecuted its work with fidelity and
diligence, seeking to prevent violations
of federal law and to mete out
meritorious punishment to the guilty.
It's most important work during the
past four years has been to defend
the soundness of the positions taken
by 1t relating to prosecutions under
the Sherman antitrust law and the
interstate commerce law, by carrying
proceedings thus inaugurated through
the various courts and to a final
determination by the supreme court
of the United States, that the constitu-
tionality of these acts might be
adjudicated and settled.
The effort of the national govern
ment to invoke that provision OF the
federal constitution which empowers
congress to regulate commerce with
foreign nations and among the states
presented problems of the greatest
perplexity, the solution of which has
been attended with no little difficulty.
Abuses Disappearing.
without rehearsing the legislation
enacted to correct the evils and the
work of enforcing these statutes, it is
gratifying to know that the abuses
complained of are fast disappearing
and carrier and shipper alike are co.
law, and what. at one time threatened
to be protracted and acrimonious
struggle is fast assuming peaceful
solution.
/, The Interstate, Commerce commits
sion. in Its last annual. report for
ut means much for the present and
more for the future that the principles
of this law have gained greatly in
general rndersf&n dingsand acceptance.
BY railway matraEers almost wfthou
exception the amended law has been
accepted in good faith, and they
exhibit for the-most part a sincere
and earnest disposition to conform
their methods to its requirements To
a gratifying extent there has been
reimbursement Of rates and correction
of4abuses by the. carriers themselves.
Methods land usages of one sort and
another which operated to individual
advantage have been voluntarily
changed, and it IS not too much to
say that there is now a freedom from
forbidden .discriminatfons which is acT
tual and generalsto degree never be-
fore approached"
The commission further says: :
''It is in this general and marked
Improvement in transportation con-
ditions that. the commission observed
it's special qualification. The amend
ed law, with its enforceable remedies,
the wider recognition of its funda-
mental justice. the quickened sense of
80
road managers, the clearer perception
of shippers of all classes that any in
dividual advantage is morally, as well
as legally, indefensible, and the aug
mented influence of the commission
resulting from its increased authority
have all combined to materially d.
minish offensive practices of every
sort and signally- promote the pur-
poses for which the law was enacted.
This results in the voluntary adjust
ment by the parties. without resort to
the commission, of vast number OF
compromises, which otherwise would
iripen into complaint and litigation,
while in Numerous instances a settle
rnent is effected by friendly inter-
ventionl by the commission through
correspondence or personal interviews
between the shipper and carrier di-
rectly concerned.
The rulings of the commission are
generally and cheerfully accepted by
the carriers. The traffic officials OF
the carriers have manifested. to a
commendabIe degree. a disposition
and willingness to fairly and carefully
consider the merits Of complaints thus
called to their attention by the com
mission, and have voluntarily reouceo
their rates and applied CORRECTIVE
measures in numerous cases
In a communication from one OF
the commissioners on the 5th OF the
present month the statement Is mace
that Interstate transportation was
never so clean and free from un1alr
and unlawful practices as at TINS mo.
|yenturesome and reckless railroad Of
ficials still Indulge in rebates or take
other measures to give special PRIV
ileees to a favored shipper. If so, they