The sun., 1908-02-23
ial and focal. may DO completely re-

Whioh viii support our confidence And M
sure our stability?
SPECIAL INTERESTS MUST EEEP HANDS OFF.
Special interests must keep their hands
Oh the government in city, State and ma
ton. The common welfare must be the
supreme law. The Hobbies which have
been maintained in legislative halls, the
efforts to pervert administration by secur-
ing the service for particular interests OF
those who pose as the servants OF the people,
the corruption of the sole means by which
the people can express their will. have been
the effective causes Of distr,ls, OF govern
ment and furnish the most serious pretext
for assaults upon our instituti ous Every
attempt OF this sort which has proved snc-
cessful has sown the seeds Of discomfort
which argument finds it difficult To allay.
But while we insist upon pure Hd uinls-
tration and the unselfish fidelity Of public
officers we must visit deserved contempt
upon those who profit by indiscriminate de-
traction OF men in public life. II the people
would be served faithfully they must show
their esteem of faithful service. Otherwise
the holding Of public office becomes a school
of cynicism | am glad to testify TO the
many whom Ihave met In public life whose
motives and whose actions conform TO the
best standards. Our public service ia far
more wholesome than many people think.
II they are intent upon it and just in criti-
cism the people can have the representation
and the administration that they desire.
Wherever there are public rights in
forests in lands in mines in water powers,
they must be safeguarded and protected
from sDOliation. Wherever the public
grants privilege it must be upon consid-
Grafton Of the common benefit end under
conditions which insure Ia the public a
proper return for the grant. We must
guard our ranges, our coal deposits. our
public lands, our forest treasures. by suitable
restrictions. No selfish interest must be
ermittcd to seize with Covetous hand the
nhlic domain.
EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION or RAILROADS.
7. must also he taken 10 be settled
policy that there shall lie complete. effective
and Just supervision of our railroads,
DO not believe in arbitrary action with re-
gard TO these important concerns either
by Congress or by State Legislatures or
nv commissions The railroads are not the
enemies bat the servants of tho people
To secure proper service they must be sub
iect to regulation. II must be taken as
firmly established that the evils Of rebating
aud Of unjust discrimination will not be
tolerated and that adequate and impartial
service upon reasonable terms will he in
sisted upon. There must be machinery
through which public obligations as defined
nv law NAV be enforced This can best
he obtained through an administrative
board such as the Interstate C@nmerce
Commission. The quest;o.- of rates must
be determined after full consideration Of all
pertinent facts to the end shat the require
ments OF mpartiaity and reasonableuess
may be COMPLIED with. while at the same
time fair return to the owners OF the prop
erty may be assured. Nothing should be
lacking in administrative powers for the
attainment of these objects.
II is most mischievous TO permit known
abuses to remain the subject of general
agitation without providing proper methods
for the consideration and redress of specific
grievances. And there Is DO more beneficial
exercise of power than 20 allay distrust by
providing administrative means for inyesti
gator For necessary publicity and the
--'vth.,. ,..stant and just enforcement Of the
law.
Il is now recognized that this policy is
important TO the railroads as we'll aS To the
public. In promoting fair dealing IL must
prove the security OF honorable enterprise.
It Ia also essential that there should Ire
efficient supervision Of the issue of securities
20 avoid the evils of imitation and of over
capitalization. The interests Of the public
and Of stockholders must be guarded against
the imposition of unjust burdens and corrupt
manipulations. There should i've every
facility for the provision Of batterments, for
desirable extensions and improvements.
The action Of government should never ba
an obstacle in the way of increasing and
perfecting service. But careful investi-
gation and deliberate action under laws
aimed to secure impartiality and open deal
ing provide a guaranty with which neither
the railroads nor the public can afford 10
dispense.
THE CONTROL or CORPORATIONS
Other problems are presented with refer
enoe to industrial corporations, There are
in existence plants which make useful
articles OF commerce. They employ thou
sands OF workmen. We need the cornnOd-
tiles. The workmen need the employment
We wish to see American industry expand.
We desire every advantage of economic
organi alton; every just opportunity for
the display Of talent and inventive skill:
every possi BILE Improvement in the processes
Of nufacture--everything. in short, which
enhances the opportunities Of labor and its
fruitful employment at good wages and
which develops and encourages trade.
At the same time We desire TO put an
end TO unfair practices, niustifia ble prefer
enoes and oppressive proceedings hy which.
apart from proper economic advantages or
superior skill in industry. rivals are barred
from equal opportunities and thrust out
Ot Nne WtlV OF u0rtTONt'u IIllN country II lull
Of men with a talent for industry. They
are entitled to a fair show No one can
complain IL his rival has n larger factory.
greater skill in mana cement, more econom-
ical processes or turns out better wares
But in free country it is intolerable that
one should be denied equal access to markets
by discriminating rates or allowances or
that he should be the victim Of n conEpiracv
to deprive him Of his business, or that ne
should be crushed bv the misuse Of large
aggregations of capital in unfair competi-
tion. Nor should o premium be placed
upon such practices or an incentive he given
to extortion bv permitting the piling up Of
securities which do not fairly represent value
and upon which returns cannot be earned
by fair means.
To meet these objects, and to prevent
oppression and eNtOrtiOn il is not neces-
sary that business should be involved in
uncertainty or that legitimate effort should
he handicapped. The enforcement Of Just
laws has no terrOrs for legitimate business
But laws. state and Federal should be as
definite as possible and should apply with
becoming precision 20 the practices sought
to be reached. II was seven wears after the
sherman act was passed before II was de-
terrnined that It applied 10 O-rairnnds II