The Washington herald., 1908-03-26

The President sent to Congress yester-
dav his mucn-discussed special message
calling attention to the legislation he
believes this session ought 10 give the
country. The message proves 10 be close
" aloEg the lines of forecasts. even to
the mildness of its tone.
The time has come, the message de-
clares. 10 prepare for a revision of the
tariff. This revision should be under
taken next fall, after careful investiga-
tion. Wood pulp, however, should be
put on the free list at once.
large part is given to the Civic Fed
eration's bin. introduced in the House
Monday by Mr.. Hepburn. TO modify the
Sherman antitrust act, and the President
points out what changes he deems de-
sirable and necessary.
Give railroads the right. under certain
limitations. to make traffic agreements.
he urges, and change the law as to re-
ceiverships.
Would LegaIize strikes.
Alter the provisions that render Illegal
combinations Of labor men and farmers
and recognize strikes as legal.
But nothing should be done. saws the
President, to legalize either a blacklist
or boycott that would be illegal at COM
mon law.
This is a part Of the harmony" plan
which has been arranged at the White
House conference for some time. The
President has also included the expected
demands for changes in the antitrust
law.
In the House the declaration that the
time had come fof revision OF the tariff
elected handclapplng on the part of DEM
oCrdtlc members. Democratic approval
also Was given by way Of pounding desks
70 the suggestion that Congress could
with advantage forthwith remove the
tariff on wood pulp. with a oorresnondi1,,
reduction upon paper made from wood
pulp. The Republicans waited and con-
nned the applause to the message as a
whole
To the Senate and House Of REPRESENTATIVE.
call your attention to certain measures
as to which I think there should be action
by the Congress before the close of the
present session. There is ample time for
their consideration. As regards most If
not all OF the matters. bills have been in
troduced into one or the other OF the
Two Houses, and il is not too much TO
nope that action viii be taken one way
OF the other on these bills at the present
session. In my message at the opening
or the present session. and. indeed in
various messages to previous Congresses.
nave repeatedly suggested action on
most OF these measures
child labor should be prohibited
throughout the nation. At least a model
child-labOr bill should be passed for the
District OF Columbia. II is unfortunate
that IN the one place solely dependent
upon Congress for its legislation there
should be no law whatever 20 protect |
chlldren by forbidding or regulating their 1
labor.
/ renew my recommendation for the i'm |
mediate re-enactment of an employers /
liability law. drawn 10 conform to the
recent decision Of the Supreme Court /
Within the limits indicated by the court
the law should be made thorough and
comprehensive, and the protection II af- /
l0rds should embrace every class Of en-
ployee 70 which the power OF the Con-
gress can extend.
Protect Federal Employee.
In addition to liability law protecting
the employees of common carriers, the /
government should show its good faith
by enacting further law giving compen- /
sation 20 It's own employees for injury or
q
proach 10 us as a nation that in both /
Federal and State legislation we have |
afforded less protection 10 public and 4
private employees than any other indus
trial country Of the world
l also urge that action be taken along
the line OF the recommendations l have
already made concerning injunctions in /
labor disputes
No temporary restraining order should
he issued by. any court without notice;
q ~ g.
ton upon which such temporary restrain
ing order has been issued should be
heard by the court issuing the same
within reasonable time-say. not to ex-
ceed a week or thereabouts from the date
when the order was issued.
II is worth considering whether il would
not give greater popular confidence in the
impartialty Of sentences for contempt IL
i was required that the Issue should be
decided by another judge than the one /
Issuing the injunction except where the
is committed in the presence OF
the court, or in other case Of urgency.
] again call attention 20 the urgent need
Of amending the interstate-commerce law
and especially the antitrust law along
the lines indicated in my last message. u
The interstate-commerce law should be Il
amended so as 70 give railroads the right
TO make traffic agreements, subject 20
these agreements being approved by the /,
Interstate Commerce Commission and L
published in all OF their details. The
commission Should also De given the !
power to make public and TO pass upon
the issuance Of all securities hereafter
issued by railroads doing an interstate
commerce business.
Urges Federal Receivers.
4 law should be passed providing in
effect that when q Federal court deter
mines to place a common carrier or other
public utility concern under the control
of a receivership. the Attorney General
should have the right to nominate at I
east one Of the receivers; or else in some