The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-10
Appeals Both to Radicals and Conservatives the Party
Leaders Claim and, Founded on Roosevelt
Policies, Foes Cannot Condemn It,
By ]. C. WELLIVER.

and the amounts contributed toward
campaign funds, and point to the evil
dence of their insincerity. hen they
sought by an absolutely irreIevant and
impossible amendment to defeat the
passage OF the bill AS further evidence
| or their intention 10 conduct their cam
palgn in the coming contest with vast
sums of money wrested from favor
seeking corporations we call attention
10 the fact that the recent Republican
( national convention at Chicago refused,
when the plank was presented 20 Il,
10 declare against such practices.
we pledge the Democratic party to
| the enactment Of a law preventing any
corporation contributing to "A campaign
fund. and any individual from contrib
uting an amount above "a reasonable
minimum, AMI providing for the publi-
cation before election of such conLribu-
lions above reasonable minimum
Trusts.
| private monopoly is indefensibIe
and intOlerable. We therefore favor the
vigorous enforcement Of the criminal
! law against guilty trust magnates and
/ officials, and demand The enactment of
such additional legislation as may be
necessary TO make it impossible for a
/ private monopoly 10 exist in the United
States.
/ Among the additional remedies We
! specify three First, a law preventing
a duplication OF directors among COM
peting corporations; second a license
! system which will, without abridging
the right of each State TO create cor
| pOratiOns or It's right 10 regulate as II
viii foreign corporations doing business
within It's limits, make II necessary for a
manufacturing or trading corporation
engaged In interstate commerce to take
! out q Federal license before II shall
! be permitted 10 control as much as
[ . per cent Of the product In which
q lnnnCn n n
/ lie from watered stock and 10 prohibit
| the control by such corporation of more
than % per cent Of the total amount
! of any product consumed IN the United
States; and, third, a law compelling
such licensed corporations TO sell 70 all
| purchasers in all parts Of the country
/ on the same terms after making due
allowance for cost OF transportation.
Railroad Regulation.
We assert the right of Congress to
! exercise complete control over inter
state commerce and the right OF each
| State TO exercise like control over com
merce within its borders.
/ We demand such enlargement Of the
| powers Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission as may be necessary to COM
1 pei railroads TO perform their duties as
! common carriers and prevent discrim-
/ nation and eXtOrtiOn.
! We favor the efficient supervision and
/ rate regulation OF railroads engaged
/ in interstate commerce; 10 this end we
recommend the valuation of railroads
/ by the Interstate Commerce Commits
! sion, such valuation 70 take into con-
/ sideratiOn the physical value OF the
/ property, the original cost and cost or
/ reproduction. and all elements Of value
that viii render the valuation made fair
! and just
/ we favor such legislation as viii
Z prohibit the railroads from engaging IN
/ business which brings them into com
] SINNERS a
| latiOn which will assure such reduction
/ In transportation rates as conditions
/ Will permit, care being taken TO avoid
reductions that would compel reduc-
/ ton OF wages, prevent adequate serv-
ice or do injustice TO legitimate in
/ vestmeuts. We heartily approve the
laws prohibiting the pass and the re-
! bate. and we favor any further neces-
sary legislation 10 restrain, control, and
prevent such abuses.
! We favor such legislation as win
/ increase the power of the Interstate
| Commerce Commission, giving 10 IL
| the inltis tive with reference 10 rates
! and transportation charges put into
/ effect by the railroad companies. and
4 permitting the Interstate Commerce
( Commission on its own initiative to
[ declare a rate Illegal and as being more
( than should be charged for such ser
I vice. The present law relating thereto
/ that the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion IS without power 20 fix or !nvesti-
/ gate a rate until complaint has been
made to II by the shipper.
Traffic Agreements.
We further declare that all agree
meuts % traffic OF other associations
/ Of railway agents affecting interstate
I rates. service. CT classification. shall
/ be unlawful. unless filed with and ap-
proved by the Interstate Commerce
/ Commission.
] We favor the enactment of a law
I giving to the Interstate Commerce
l Commission the power 20 inspect pro-
! posed railroad tariff rates or schedules
! before they shall take effect and II
/ they be found to be unreasonable, to
/ initiate an adjustment thereof.
Banking.
The panic Of 1907 coming without any
! legitimate excuse when the Republican