Tensas gazette., 1908-02-07
ACTION URGED
BY ROOSEVELT
On Some Important Legislation
Which he Puts Up to Congress.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
President Surprises Lawmakers and the
Country in Strong Recommendations
of Remarkable Document.

President Roosevelt sent to congress-
d special message Friday which is, in
reality an uncomprosmising and
categorical review Of his administra
tive policies, an analysis OF their
meaning and the necessity for their
existence and a vigorous attack upon
CRITICS who have sought to discredit
the administration campaign against
commercial corruption, or to hold II
responsible for the recent panic. He
omits no single phase OF the war
against predatory wealth" points out
the interest of every citizen in decent
government, dwells on the prime ne
cessity of railroad and corporation reg
ulation, touches on federal and state
functions in this direction and on the
question of jailing or. fning malefac
tors of great wealth" He calls cor
porations and individuals by name
with unerring fuency.
The president calls for the immedi.
ate re-enactment of the employers
liability law, which has been declar'
ed uncor Institutional, in such form as
will meet the requirements OF the su
preme court. He depends upon the
respective states to do their part to
ward fulfilling the duties of which
the federal government is deprived
He also urges that an act be passed
compensating government employees
injured in public service.
'It is all wrong" says Mr.. Reose
velt, to use the injunction to prevent
the entirely proper and legitimate ac
tons of labor organizations in theil
struggle for industrial betterment, oil
under the guise of protecting property
rights unwarrantably to invade the
fundamental rights of the individual.
He promises to send special mes
sage to congress on the case of Adail
VS.. the United States, the effect o.
which is far-reaching. but which OF
hcers of the government have not ye
had the opportunity to study in al
Its bearings.
The president would give the inter
state commerce commission the righ
to pass on any rate or practice OF tht
railroads on its own initiative. HI
would also give the government super
vision over the financial affairs of in
terstate railroads, to the end that over
capitalization might be avoided. specu
lation eliminated and bond proceed
devoted only to legitimate purposes
He declares that overcapitalization al
ready of fixed Value must be recognize,
as affecting thousands of innocen
shareholders. Many rates, he contends
are already too low, and it is bette
In the interest of imperative improve
ments that earnings should be to-
liberal rather than insufficient. Tn
Sherman antitrust law, he says, call
for immediate amendment In 1t
present shape 1t is entirely unified +
meet the conditions Of today, oftel
tending to produce the very evils
aims to suppress. The president spec
fies certain combinations which ar
lawful and expedient for the railroads
The president attacks stock and mai
ket gambling in strong terms.
The message created a great des
of comment among the nations Law
makers. The presidents friends con
mend it enthusiastically. Some OF tn
talks in the cloak room and corr
I doris turned upon a third term fo
Roosevelt and discussed this action q
a bid for support from those who b.
lieve President Roosevelt is the onl
man with the determination. grit an
perseverance to fight through censres
the aggressive policies outlined In tn
Fire at Cleveland, Ohio, destroye
the mechanical department of tn
Plain Dealer, causing 100000. los