Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-07-17

ruppOEt lEOm lu0 uGuCuCiotiev VI Nuo hi6A
protective tariff as it has always heretofore
received from them; and to the further fact
that during years Of uninterrupted power nc
action whatever has been taken by the Re
publican Congress TO correct the admittedly
existing tariff iniquitles.
We favor immediate revision OF the tariff
by the reduction of import duties. Articles
entering into competition with trust-controll-
ed products should be placed upon the free
list and material reductions should be made
In the tariff upon the necessaries Of life, espe-
clally upon articles competing with such
American manufactures as are sold abroad
more ckeaply than at home, and graduate re-
auctions should be made in such other sched-
ules as may be necessary to restore the tariff
to revenue basis.
Existing duties have given to the manufAc-
turers Of paper o shelter behind which they
have organized combinations to raise the
price Of pulp and Of paper, thus imposing
tax upon the spread of knowledge. We de-
mand the Immediate repeal of the tari6 ON
pulp print paper, lumber, timber, logs, and
that these articles be placed upon the free list.
THE TRUsTs.
A private monopoly is indetensible and in
tolerable. We therefore favor the vigorous
enforcement Of the criminal law against gull
ty trust magnates and officials and demand
the enactment of such additional legislation
as may be necessary to make itimpossible for
a private monopoly to exist in the United
States.
Among the additional remedies we specify
three: First, law preventing a duplication
Of directors among competing corporations
second, license system which will, without
abridging the right Of each State to create
corporations or its right to regulate as il will
foreign corporations doing business within
its limits, make it necessary for manufac-
turing or trading corporation engaged In in
terstate commerce to take out federal license
before 1t shall be permitted TO control as
much as 20 per cent of the product In which
it deals. the license to protect the public from
watered stock and to prohibit the control by
such corporation Of more than 80 per cent Of
the total amount Of any product consumed in
the United States; and, third, law COM
polling such licensed corporations to sell to
all purchasers in all parts Of the country on
the same terms after making due allowance
for cost Of transportation.
RAILROAD REGULATIONS.
We assert the right of Congress to exercise
complete control over interstate commerce
and the RICH. of each State to exercise like
control over commerce within Its borders.
We demand such enlargement OF the pow
ers of the interstate commerce commission as
may be necessary TO compel railroads to per-
form their duties as common carriers and pre-
vent discrimination and extortion.
We favor the efficient supervision and rate
regulation Of railroads engaged In interstate
commerce; to this end we recommend the
valuation Of railroads by the interstate COM
merce commission, such valuation to take
into consideration the physical value Of the
property, the original cost and cost OF repro
duction, and all elements Of value that will
render the valuation made fair and Just.
We favor such legislation as will prohibit
the railroad from engaging In business which
brings them into competition with other
shippers also Liquidation which will assure
such reduction in transportation rates 40 con-
ditlons will permit, care being taken to avoid
reductions that would compel reduction Of
wages, prevent adequate service, or do in
Justice to legitimate Investments. We heart
lily approve the laws prohibiting the pass and
the rebate, and we favor any further neces-
sary legislation TO restrain, control and pre-
vent such abuses.
We favor such legislation as will increase
the power OF the interstate commerce commits
sion, giving to it the initiative with reference
to rates and transportation charges put into
effect by the railroad companies, and permit
ting the Interstate commerce commission on
it's own initiative 10 declare rate illegal and
as being more than should be charged for
such service. The present law relating there
to is inadequate by reason OF the fact that the
interstate commerce commission is without
power To fix or investigate a rate until COM
plant has been made TO 1t by the shipper.
We further declare that all agreements oil
traffic or other associations Of railway age nts
affecting interstate rates, service or classi6-
cation shall be unlawful, unless filed with and
approved by the interstate commerce COM
mission.
We favor the enactment of law giving to
The interstate commerce commission the power
to inspect proposed railroad tariff rates or
schedules before they shall take effect, and,
If thew be found to be unreasonable, to initiate
an adjustment thereof
BANKING.
The panic of 1907, coming without any
Legitimate excuse when the Republican party
had for decade been In complete control Of
the federal government, furnishes additional
proof that II is either unwilling or incompe-
tent TO protect the interests OF the general
public II has so linked the country to Wall
Street that the sins Of the spectators are
visited upon the people While refusing to
rescue wealth producers from spoliation at
the hands of the stock gamblers and specula-
tors In farm products, 1t has deposited Treas
ury funds, without interest and without COM
petition. in favorite banks. 1t has used an
emergency for which 1t 10 largely responsible
to force through Congress bill changing the
basis of bank currency and inviting market
manipulation, and has failed TO give the 49,
OOO, 900 depositors Of the country protection
In their savings.
We believe that In so far as the needs Of the
commerce require an emergency currency,
sucb currency should be issued, controlled by
the federal government, and loaned on ade-
onate security to national and State banks.
We pledge ourselves to legislation under
which the national banks shall be required
10 establish guarantee fund for the prompt
pavment of the depositors of any insolvent
national bank under an equitable system
which ahall be available 10 all State banking
institutions Wishing TO use 1t.
We favor postal savings banks II the guar
antee In the bank cannot be secured, and that
Il be constituted 30 as to keep the deposited
money in the communities whore II 10 estab-
lished.
But we condemn the policy Of the Republic
can rarity in proposing postal savings banks
under a plan Of conduct by which they will
ARQTeQhl6 INC ubpObibu VI
and redeposit the same while under govern
ment charge in the banks OF Wall Street,
thus depicting the circulating medium Of tho
producing regions and unjustly favoring the
speculative markets.
INCOME TAX
We favor an income tax az part OF our reve-
nue. system, and we urge the submission Of
coustit uhonal amendment, specifically au-
thorizing Congress to levy and collect tax
upon individual and corporate incomes, to
the end that wealth may bear its proportion
ate share of the burdens Of the federal gov.
eminent.
LABOR AND InJUEcTIoEs.
The courts Of justice are the bulwark Of
our liber ties, aud we yield TO none In our
purpose to maintain their dignity. Our
party has given to the bench long line Of
distinguished judges, who have added TO The
respect and confidence in which this depart
ment must be jealousy maintained. We re-
sent the attempt Of the Republican party to
raise false issues respecting the judiciary. 1t
is an unjust reflection upon great body Of