The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-07-16

cago refused. when the plank was pre-
sented to It, to declare against such
practices.
We pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment of a law preventing any
corporation contributing to campaign
fund. and any individual from contrib
uting an amount above reasonable
minimum. and providing for the pub
lication before election of all such con-
tributions.
We assert the right
Railroad Of congress to exer-
Regulation. else complete con-
troll over Interstate
commerce and the right of each state
to exercise like control over commerce
within its borders.
We demand such enlargement of the
powers Of the interstate commerce
commission as may be necessary to
compel railroads to perform their du-
ties US common carriers and prevent
discrimination and extortion.
We favor the efficient supervision
and rate regulation of railroads en-.
Gagged In interstate commerce. To this
end we recommend the valuation of
railroads by the interstate commerce
commission, such valuation to take
into consideration the physical value
Of the property, the original cost of
reproduction and all elements of value
that will render the valuation made
fair and just.
We favor such legislation as will pro-
hibit the railroads from engaging in
business which brings them into COM
petition with their shippers, also legis-
lation which will assure such reduc-
tion in transportation rates as condi-
tions will permit, care being taken to
avoid reductions that would compel
reduction of wages. prevent adequate
service or do injustice to legitimate in
vestments. We heartily approve the
laws prohibiting the pass and the re-
bate. and we favor any further neces-
sary legislation to restrain. control and
prevent such abuses.
We favor such legislation as will in
crease the power Of the interstate COM
merce commission, giving to it the in
itiative with reference to rates and
transportation charges put into effect
by the railroad companies, and permit
ting the interstate commerce commits
sion on its own initiative to declare q
rate illegal and, as being more than
should be charged for such service:
that the present law relating thereto
is inadequate by reason of the fact
that the interstate commerce commits
sion is without power to fix or investi-
gate a rate until complaint has been
made to it by the shipper.
We further declare that all agree.
ments Of traffic or other associations
Of railway agents affecting interstate
rates. service or classification shall be
unlawful unless filed with and approx.
ed by the interstate commerce commits
sion
We favor the enactment of law
giving to the interstate commerce com.
mission the power to inspect proposed
railroad tariff rates or schedules before
they shall take effect. and if they be
found to be unreasonable to initiate
an adjustment thereof.
Believing with JEFF
The Rights ferson in ''the sup.
Of the States. port Of the state
governments in all
their rights as the most competent ad-
ministration for our domestic concerns
and the surest bulwark against anti
republican tendencies" and in "the
preservation Of the general government
In Its whole constitutional vigor as the
sheet anchor Of our peace at home and
the safety abroad" we are opposed to
the Capitalization implied in these sug-
gestions. now frequently made, that
the powers Of the general government
should be extended by judicial con-
struction.
There is no twilight zone between the
nation and the state in which exploit
Ing interests can take refuge from
both. and 1t is as necessary that the
federal government shall exercise the
powers delegated to it as 1t Is that the
state governments shall use the author.
ity reserved to them, but we insist that
federal remedies for the regulation Of
interstate commerce and for the pre-
vention Of private monopoly shall be
| added to, not substituted for, state
remedies.
The Republican, con-
Economy In gress in session just
Administration. ended has made ap-
preparations amount
ing to S1,OOS, 100000, exceeding the to-
tai expenditures of the past fiscal year
by $30,0OO,OOO and leaving a deficit of
more than $GO,OOO,OO0 for the fiscal
year. We denounce the needless waste
of the peoples money. which has re-
suited in this appalling increase, as a
shameful violation of all prudent con-
ditions Of government as no less than a
crime against the millions Of working
men and women from whose earnings
the great proportion Of these colossal
sums must be extorted through exces-
sive tariff eXactions and other indirect
methods. 1t is not surprising that in
the face Of this shocking record the
Republican platform contains no refer