Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-02-06
SENDS MESSAGE
TO THE S0LONS
Employers Liability Act and lnjunc.
lions Are Features.
Curb Bad Corporations. Protect Good
Ones and Subdue Stock Gamb-
ling - Government Should Com
pensate Injured Employees - Also
Supervise Railroad Finances.

Washington, Feb. l. - President
Roosevelt yesterday sent to congress
special message which is devoted
mainly to a vigorous defense of his
policy as regards railroads and trusts
from the assaults Of his critics and an
even more vigorous denunciation of
those critics and those whom they
champion.
Beginning with the recommendation
Of new employers liability bills, both
binding the government and interstate
corporations, and of laws restricting the
issue Of injunctions, the message pro-
ceeds to renew the presidents former
recommendations for legislation dealing
with railroads and monopolies. Then
it enters upon reply to the criticism
Of the presidents policy, not mincing
words in its Characterization of his an
tsgonists as lawbreakedrs. 1t shows
their inconsistency in criticising Judges
Lands and Wellborn after having con-
demped the pres dents much milder
criticism of other judges. 1t advocates
measures to prevent stock gamblinl,
attributes the panic to speculation and
high finance, and declares that, even
if the presidents policy did contribute
to the panic, it is better than to allcw
dishonest business to thrive. He de-
clares his purpose Of continuing the
same policy without flinching
While the message was being read in
the senate, many senators simply scan
ned their printed copies at first, and
before it was half finished they gene
rally took up other matters. When
the striking passages we're reached,
many of the senators looked around the
chamber and exchanged smiles. Till
man seemed especially pleased with the
document; La Toilette paid very care
full attention; Beveridge, McCumber,
Knox, Gallinger, Nelson, Elkins, He
and Burrows, on the Republi-
,an side, and Culberson, Teller, Davis,
Bankhead and Overman, among the
Democrats, were especially attentive to,
he document.
On the conclusion of the reading Of
he message, Senator Davis, of Arkan-
'as, promptly moved that 10000
copies OF the message be printed as a
public document.
at is the best Democratic doctrine
hat have ever heard emanating from
! Republican source" said Davis.
The motion WAS agreed to, and with
~ har
eferred to the committee on interstate
commerce.
The reading Of the message in the
house was listened to ith intense in
crest. by the members, OF whom there
vas an unusually large number in at
AS the reading of the message pro-
ressed in the house, numerous men,
ers were heard audibly to exclaim
most unusual, ""this is red hot" etc.
The PRESIDENT vigorous denunciation
t wrongdoers was greeted with loud
pplause. as was his defense CT Federal
ldges who punish offenders for viola
ions of the law.
The frequency of the applause in
reased as the reading proceeded. The
um of conversation over the message
ubsided and the members followed
very word. But the climax came when
he reading was concluded.
Without regard to party, the mem
ers loudly applauded, cheered, thump-
d their desks and gave other evidences
their approval Of the document.
fter moments silence, the applause
roke out again, several members, in
uding many Democrats, arising from
1eir seats and clappng their hands.
The message then, on motion of
ayne, of New York, was referred TO
,nn ]. o4rA. 4