Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-12


from, the National Prosperity Associa.
ton of St. Louis called on President
Roosevelt today to urge his aid if
furthering their plans for encouraging
the return of prosperity throughout
the country. The committee found The
President cordial in his treatment and
frank in his expressions of willingness
to aid them in every way possible. A
short speech was made by +. G. Sim
mons, chairman of the executive com
mittee on the association, which was
responded to by the President. Mr.
Simmons said
1.-THE National Prosperity Associa-
ton has been formed to improve bust
ness conditions. 1t has in view no
backward step from reforms which
have been instituted. 1t raises no
question as to the wisdom of laws
which have been placed upon the ma
tional statute books. 1t applauds the
correction of evils in business methods.
After 10 years of great prosperity
the body commercial entered upon a
period of depression and stagnation.
The signs that the period is passing
begin to multiply. There is promise
Of boutiful crops The unemployed are
eager for work. Relations between
capital and labor are not strained The
financial stringency has passed. Capt.
tai is anxious for safe investment.
with such conditions, prosperity
waits only on confidence. We believe
this is an opportune time for business
men with honorable ideals to get 20
gether.
"Therefore, Mr. President, the Ma
tional Prosperity Association has been
formed, designed in the first place to
promote confidence among our business
men and, in the second, through CO.
operation with you, to impress the con-
fidence upon all our own people and
the world at large. Business has suf-
fered too much already from demagog-
ic agitation; therefore the association
will seek relief from continued agita-
ton by professional agitators. 1t will
proclaim what you have proclaimed,
that the bulk of our business is hon
estly done. 1t will point out that the
disturbance of public confidence was
not due to the enactment of reform
legislation or to the punishment of
specific wrong in methods, but to gross
violations of law by some corporations
and grating by some public officials
and to a defective currency system.
"The association recognizes the debt
the business interests, indeed the
whole country, owes you for what you
have done. 1t feels now that the time
has come to take stock, to call halt
upon radical, hasty and experimental
legislation, designed to regulate in
dustry. If the law officers have knowl-
edge of violations of statutes, let pros
ecutions proceed vigorously and expe-
ditiously before grand juries and in
courts.
"a national political campaign is
opening. Platforms are to be adopted.
The association will ask for fair
minded consideration of business is
sues by both parties.
"In seeking your support of the
work of the association, Mr.. President,
we are inspired by the view that your
cooperation will go far to aid in the
restoration of hopefulness, of conf
dence and of right thinking in our
land" The President responded as fol-
lows:
II am in hearty sympathy with the
ayowed object of the National Pros
perity Association. 1t is excellent. we
have gone far in uprooting abuses
which threaten our national life. Tak-
en- as q whole, the standard of hon