The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-10
PLATFORM UPON WHICH
DEMOCRACY WILL
STAND.
CONTINUED from First Page.)


merce commission, such valuation to
take into consideration the original
cost of reproduction and all elements
OF value will render the valuation
made fair and Just.
We favor such legislation as will
prohibit the railroads from engage
ment in business which brings them
into competition with their shippers.
also legislation which will assure such
reduction in transportation rates as
conditions will permit, care being
taken to avoid reduction that would
compel a reduction OF wages, prevent
adequate service or do injustice to
legitimate investments.
we heartily approve the laws pro-
hibiting the pass and the rebate and
we favor any further necessary legis-
lation to restrain, correct and prevent
such abuses.
We favor such legislation as will
increase the power Of the Interstate
commerce commission, 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 commits
sion on its own initiative to declare
a rate illegal and as being more than
should be charged for such service.
That the present law relating there
to is inadequate by reason Of the fact
that the interstate commerce COM
mission is without power to fix or
investigate aErate until complaint. has
been made to 1t by shippers.
We further declare that all admin
istrations of traffic or other associa-
tions or railway agents affecting in
terstate rates, service or classification,
shall be unlawful unless fled with and
approved by the interstate commerce
commission.
We favor the enactment of law
giving to the interstate commerce
commission the power to inspect pre-
posed railroad tariff rates or schedules
before they shall take effect and If
they are found to be unreasonable to
initiate, an adjustment thereof.
Home Rule.
We assert out confidence In and
admiration for the wisdom OF the
fathers III 80 organizing the federal
government as to secure home rule
to the people of each state and we
pledge ourselves to combat with In
creasing vigilance the efforts Of those
who are striving by usurpation to
seize the powers Of the people Of the
states for exploitation by the federal
government.
Believing, with Jefferson, in 'the
spirit of the state governments in all
their rights as the most competent
administration for our domestic con.
Germs and insures q bulwark against
anti-republican tendencies" and in the
preservation OF the general govern.
ment in It's whole constitutional vigoI
as the sheet anchor Of our peace al
home and salty abroad; we are op
posed to the Capitalization implied IN
the suggestions now frequently made
that the powers Of the general gov
eminent should be extended by ex
ecutive and legislative action and BY
judicial construction. There is nj
twilight seen between the nation ant
the state in which exploiting inter
ests can take refuge from both and i
is az necessary that the federal gov
eminent shall exercise the powers de
legated to 1t as 1t Is that the stat
government shall use the authority re
served to them; but we insist tina
the federal remedies for the reguls
tion Of interstate commerce and to
the prevention Of private monopolie
shall be added to, not substituted 70
state remedies.
Economy in Administration.
The republican. congress- In the sci
sion just ended has made appropris
lions amounting to $1,0os,0 00, 100000
exceeding the total expenditures {
the past fiscal year by $50, 000, 900 an
leaving q deficit Of mor than $50
100000 for the fiscal year. We d,
nounce the headless waste Of the pei
Pies money which has resulted in thi
appalling increase as a shameful VII
lation of all prudent condition Of go
eminent, and as no less acrime again'
the millions OF working women an
men from whose earnings the gres
proportion of these colossal sun
must be exported through excessi,
tariff exactions and other indire'
methods. It is not surprising that
the face OF this shocking record Il
republican platform contains no :
ference to econmical administratie
or promise thereof in the future. "
demand that a stop be put to tn
frightful extravaganza and insist u
o n the strictest economy In every d
partment compatible with frugal al
eficlent administration.
Banking.
s8 h naninca If 1907. COMING witho