Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-29
Full Text Of the Speech Of Republican Presidential
Candidate, Delivered Yesterday to the
National Convention Committee.

mission in supervising and regulating
the operation of the railroads of this
country has grown So heavy that it is
utterly impossible for that tribunal to
hear and dispose, in any reasonable
time, of the many complaints, queries
and issues that are brought before it
for decision. 1t ought to be relieved
Of its jurisdiction as an executive, di-
recting body, and it's functions should
be limited to the quasi judicial inves-
tigation Of complaints by individuals
and by n department. of the Govern
mcnt Charged with the executive bust
ness of supervising the operation of
railways.
There should be classification of
that very small percentage of in
dustrial corporations having power
and opportunity to effect illegal
restraints of trade and monopolies,
and legislation either inducing or
compelling them to subject them
selves to registry and to proper
publicity regulations and supervision
of the Department of Commerce and
abor
Constructive Work Of Next Admins
tration to Organize Subordinate
and Auxiliary Machinery to Main
tain Standards on One Hand, and
Not to Interfere With Business on
the Other.
The field covered by the Industrial
combinations and by the railroads is
so very extensive that the interests of
the public and the interests of the
businesses concerned cannot be
properly subserved except by reor-
ganization of bureaus in the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor. of
Agriculture. and the Department of
Justice. and change in the jurisdic-
ton of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission 1t does not assist matters
to prescribe new duties for the Inter-
state Commerce Commission which it
is practically impossible for it to pei -
form. or to denounce new offenses
with drastic punishment. unless
subordinate and ancillary legislation
shall be passed making possible the
quick enforcement in the great
variety of cases which are constantly
arising, of the principles laid down by
Mr. Roosevelt, and with respect to
which only typical instances of prose-
cution with the present machinery are
possible. Such legislation should and
would greatly promote legitimate
business by enabling those anxious to
obey the Federal statutes to know
just what are the bounds of their
lawful action. The practical con-
structive and difficult work, therefore,
of those who follow Mr.. Roosevelt is
to devise the ways and means by
which the high level of business in
tegrity and obedience to law which he
has established may be maintained
and departures from it restrained
without undue interference with
legitimate business.
Railway Traffic Agreements APP
proved by Commission Should Be
Valid.
1t is agreeable to note in this re-
gard that the Republican platform ex
pressly and the Democratic platform
implicitly, approve an amendment to
the Interstate Commerce law by
which interstate railroads may make
useful traffic agreements if approved
by the Commission. This has been
strongly recommended by President
Roosevelt and will make for the bene-
ffft of the business. III"
IottBn 3d1 10 .tstttl. t.noAI