The Washington times., 1908-07-10
Appeals Both to Radicals and Conservatives the Party
Leaders Claim and, Founded on Roosevelt
Policies, Foes Cannot Condemn it.
By ]. c. WELLIVER.

and the amounts contributed toward
campaign funds, and point to the evil
dence Of their insincerity. when they
sought by an absolutely irrelevant and
impossible amendment to defeat the
passage of the bill As further evidence
of their intention to conduct their cam
palgn in the coming contest with vast
sums OF money Wrested from favor
seeking corporations we call attention
to the fact that the recent Republican
national convention at Chicago refused.
when the plank was presented 70 II,
to declare against such practices
We pledge the Democratic party 10
the enactment Of a law preventing any
corporation contributing TO campaign
fund. and any individual from contrib
uting an amount above reasonable
minimum, and providing for the publ
cation before election of such contribu-
lions above a reasonable minimum.
Trusts.
A private monopoly is indefensible
and intolerable. We therefore favor the
vigorous enforcement Of the criminal
law agains, guilty trust nnagnates and
officials, ana demand the enactment Of
such additional legislation as may be
necessary TO make It impossible for a
private monopoly to exist in tie United
States.
Among the additional remedies we
specify three: First. a law preventing
petlng corporations; second, a license
system which will. without abridging
the right of each State to create cor
poratiOns or its right 10 regulate as It
viii foreign corporations doing business
within It's limits, make it necessary for a
manufacturing or trading corporation
engaged IN interstate commerce 10 take
out a Federal license before II shall
be permitted TO control as much as
y per cent Of the product in which
II deals, the license to protect the pub
lie from Watered stock and 70 prohibit
the control by such corporation OF more
than so per cent OF the total amount
OF any product consumed in the United
States; and, third, 4 law compelling
such licensed corporations to sell 10 all
purchasers in All parts or the country
on the same terms after making due
allowance for cost Of transportation.
Railroad Regulation.
We assert the right of Congress 10
exercise complete control over inter
state commerce and the right Of each
State to exercise like control over COM
merce within its borders.
We demand such enlargement Of the
| powers Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission as may be necessary TO COM
/ pei railroads TO perform their duties as
common carriers and prevent discrim-
nation and eXtOrtiOn.
| We favor the efficient supervision and
| rate regulation OF railroads engaged
/ in interstate commerce; 10 this end we
| recommend the valuation of railroads
I sion, such valuation TO take into con-
sideratiOn the physical value OF the
property, the original cost. and cost OF
/ reproduction, and all elements Of value
I that viii render the valuation made fair
and just
We favor such legislation as Will
/ prohibit the railroads from engaging IN
| business which brings them into com
| petition with other shippers. also legiS-
! lation which will assure such reduction
/ in transportation rates as conditions
will permit, care being taken 70 avoid
J reductions that would compel a reduc-
I ton Of wages, prevent adequate serv-
/ ice, or do Injustice 10 legitimate in
vestments We heartily approve the
/ bate, and we favor any further neceS-
Sary legislation 10 restrain, control and
/ prevent such abuses.
/ We favor such legislation as VIII
| increase the power Of the Interstate
! Commerce Commission, giving TO II
| the initig tive with reference 10 rates
/ and transportation charges put into
| effect by the railroad con- panies. and
! permitting the Interstate Comm cree
/ Commission on its own initiative tC
( declare a rate Illegal and as being more
1 than should be charged for such ser
vice. The present law relating thereto
! IS Inadequate by reason Of the fac
( that the Interstate Commerce Commits
/ sion is without power TO fix or !nvesti-
/ gate a rate until complaint has beer
made 70 Il by the shipper.
Traffic Agreements
/ We further declare that all agree
lnents % traffic OF other associations
of railway agents affecting interstate
| rates, service, CT classification shall
| be unlawful. unless fled with and ap
[ proved by the Interstate Commerce
/ Commission.
J giving to the Interstate Commerce
] Commission the power to inspect pro
| posed railroad tariff rates or schedules
/ before they shall take effect, and 8
! they be found to be unreasonable, q
initiate an adjustment thereof
Banking.
! The panic Of 1907, coming without an!
| legitimate excuse when the Republican