Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-31
SEEKS TO STIR CONGRESS
WITH FORCtFUL MESSAGE

Continued from First Page
against being enjoined from exercising
their proper rights. Reasonable notice
should be given the adverse party.
This matter is daily becoming OF graver
Importance and I can not too urgently
recommend that the Congress give care
full consideration to the subject. II soma
way OF renedytng the abuses Is not round
the feeling of indignation against them
among large numbers of our citizens viii
tend 10 grow so extreme as 10 produce a
revolt against the whole use Of the
process OF injunction. The uitra-conser-
yativeS who Cpject TO cutting out the
abuses will do well to remember that II
the popular feeling does become strong
many of those upon whom they rely to
defend them will be the first to turn
against them. Men OF property can not
afforG 20 trust TO anything save the spirit
of justice and fair play: for those very
public men who. while it is TO their in
terest. defend all the abuses committed
BY capital and pose as the champions OF
conservatism. will. the moment they
think their interest changes. take the
pander to what they esteem popular feel
ing by endeavoring. for instance. effec-
lively to destroy the power Of the courts
in matters OF injunction: and will even
punish for contempt. upon which power
the very existence of the orderly admin
1stration of justice depends.
IL is my purpose as soon as may be
to submit some further recommendations
in reference TO our laws regula ting labor
conditions within the sphere of federal
authority. A very recent decision of the
Supreme Court of the United States rem
dered since this message was written. in
the case of Adair vs. the United States
af far INN nd of
very serious proba BILE consequences. has
modified the previously entertained views
on the powers of the Congress in the
premises 10 such degree as to make
opinions therein filed before it is pos
sible definitely to decide in what way
10 call the matter TO your attention
Laws Affecting Wage-Earners.
Not only should there be action on GER
tain laws affecting wage-earners; there
should also be such action on laws better
10 secure control over the great business
concerns engaged in interstate commerce.
and especially over the great common
carriers. The interstate commerce COM
mission should be empowered to pass upon
any rate or practice on ;ts own initiative
Moreover. il should be provided that
whenever the commission has reason to
believe that proposed advance in a rate
ought not to be made without invastisa-
ton 1t should have authority to issue an
order prohibiting the advance pending ex-
animation by the commission
would not be understood as expressing
an opinion that any or even ma jority
of these advances are improper. Many of
the rates in this country have been alb
normally low The operating expenses of
our railroads. notably the wages paid rail-
road employees. have greatly ncrea sed.
I nese and other causes may in any given
case justify an advance in rates. and ii
so the advance should be permitted and
approved. But there may be. and douot-
less are. cases where this is not true: and
our law should be go framed that the gov
eminent. as the represent atiTe OF the
whole people. can protect the individual
against unlawful exaction for the use OF
these public highways. The interstate
commerce commission should be provided
with the means TO make a physical valua-
tion OF any road as TO which It deems this
valuation necessary. In some form the
federal government should exercise super
vision over the financial operations of our
Interstate railroads. In no other way can
justice be done between the private OWL
ers OF those properties and the public
which pay their charges. When once an
Inflated capitalization has gone upon the
market and has become fixed in value it's
existence must be recognized. AS a prac-
tical matter it is then often absolutely
necessary to take account OF the thou
sands Of innocent stockholders who have
purchased their stock in good faith The
usual result Of such imitation is therefore
TO impose upon the public an unnecessary
but everlasting tax, while the innocent
purchasers of the stock are also harmed
and only few SPECTATORS are benefited.
such wrongs when once accomplished can
with difficulty be undone: but they can be
prevented with safety and with Justice.
Limited Federal Control.
When combinations of interstate rail-
ways must obtain government sanction:
when it is no longer possible for an in
terstate railway to issue stock or bonds,
save IN the manner approved by the fed
eral government: when hat government
makes sure that the proceeds of every
stock and bond issue go into tine improve
ment OF the property and no. the enrlcn-
ment of some Individual or syndicate:
when, whenever ii becomes material for
guidance in the regulative action OF the
government. the physical value Of one of
these properties is determined and made
known-there will be eliminated from
railroad securities that element OF un-
certainty which lends 10 them their
speculative quality and which has con-
tributetl much to the financial stress of
the recent past.
think that the federal government
must also assume certain measure of
control over the physical operation of
railways in the handling of Interstate
traffic. The commission now has au-
fhority to, establish through routes and
joint rates. In order to make this pro-
vision effective and in order TO promote
In times OF necessity the proper move
1nent Of traffic. think it. must also
have authority 10 determine the condi-
lions upon which cars shall be inter-
changed between different interstate rail-
VANS. 1t is also proba DO that the com
mission should have authority. in par
iicular instances. 10 determine tie sched-
I!e upor which pe,ishable commodities,
shall &c moved.
In TINS connection desire TO repeat my
recommendation that railways be per-
united To form traffic associations for the
purpose OF comforting about and agreeing
upon rates. regulations and practices at
feeling interstate business in which The
members OF the association arc mutually
interested. This does not mean tina; they
should be given the right to pool their
earnings or their traffic. The law re-
quires that rates shall be so adjusted as
not 10 discriminate between individuals
localities o. different species OF traffic
Ordinarily. rates by all competing lines
anrst be the same. As applied 10 practical
conditions. the railway oaSra: ions Of this
country cannot be conducted ACCORDING
20 law without what is equivalent 10 con-
Terence and agreement The articles
under whica such associations opera e
should be approved by the comnissio ion /:
Hfa<T4- II