Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-09
rnr pRrsInENrs MEssAnE-

purely rs n state Will ram
all of its predecessors in point of pre-
paredness and real force. IT shows
evidence OF deep thought and study
OF the problems touched upon, even
to care in wording them. which has
not been pronounced in former mes
sages by Mr.. Roosevelt. In his earlier
messages, the, president was pursuing
an aggressive policy, outlining work
for congress and the administration,
and he gave more attention to rugged
sketches Of the legislative program
he had in mind than to calm discus
sion of details. With most of his great
work finished, he has devoted much
OF his present message to retrospect,
to a review of WORK accomplished
and TO a markedly conservative and
thoughtful consideration OF work left
to his successor in the furtherance of
what have come to be known as the
Roosevelt policies"
Study of the work of the railway
rate law, one of the greatest achieve
ments of the Roosevelt administra-
tion, has only strengthened the pres
ident's conviction that the railways
should be removed from the domain
of the antitrust law and placed COM
pletely under the Interstate Commerce
commission. He urges that the COM
mission should have absolute power
in the matter of fixing rates, and
should also be authorized to have su-
pervision over the issue of securities
and other financial operations of the
transportation companies. Authority,
he urges, should be given to the rail-
ways to make traffic agreements and
combinations, subject to the approval
of the commission, the purpose being
to see that the railroads do justice to
the public and that no injustice be
done the railroads. This attitude Of
the president meets the approval of
the expert students of transportation
problems and the leading railway
managers, as well as the best in
formed shippers of the country. 1t is
being generally conceded that the leg
i~slation proposed by the president Of
fers the surest solution of the problem
of transportation and the relations of
the railways to the public.
With the prominence given to the
labor question in the recent cam
paign fresh In mind, the president
d~evotes a very liberal portion of his
message to the labor question and its
relations to capital and the courts,
offering suggestions and criticisms
that may not be pleasing, to either
labor, capital or the judiciary, but
may result in wholesome benefit to all
three. He urges a general extension
Of the laws providing compensation
for persons injured in the government
employ and in interstate commerce
service. He reviews the attacks made
by certain labor leaders in the last
campaign against the republican party
and the congress and shows, by Off
cial records, that the claims made b!
these leaders were untrue and theil
purpose unjust, in that it sought tt
create class legislation and class con
sciousness. Excuse is found, however
for this radical attack on the courts
In the attitude of some judges whC
have Jagged behind in their under
standing of the great and vita
changes in the body polite, who's,
minds have never been opened to thu
new application of the old principles
made necessary by new conditions.
This reference is directed at decision
by certain courts which have been ex
ceedingly detrimental to the right
of wageworkers and the presiden
urges legislation designed to checl
the abuse of the issuance of tempo
rary injuhctions. He suggests tina
notice should issue before injunctions
in all cases except where 1t is clearl,
shown that irreparable injury woult
result otherwise and in such case
hearings on the merits of the cas-
should be promptly held. The presi
dent criticises the courts for thei
marked inefficiency in dealing wit
corporations.
other recommendations of the mes
sage are in keeping with former doc
uments from Mr.. Roosevelt. He ask
enlargement Of the army and navy
the establishment of the postal say
ings bank system; the admission @
New Mexico and Arizona; the maxim
of provision for the Improvement @
inland waterways and a general fol
ward movement in the furtherance G
the policies inaugurated in the las
eight years for the benefit and ac
vancement of the welfare of the Who'll
| people.