The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1908-12-12
TAFT PROPOSES
LONG PROGRAM
Important Points In Policy OF Ne"
Administration.
Tariff Revision Comes First-Large
Number of Measures to Govern
Trusts-7eform Injunction Law
Extensive improvements to Rivers
Beginning WITH Ohio

Hot Springs, Va, Dec. 5-lhe
World is able to present here the
principal legislative program oil inc
Taft administration:
Tariff revision is the primary rea-
son for the extra session that will be
called Immediately after March 4,
1909 but the next President sees no
reason why, during that extra session,
The Sherman antitrust law should not
be so amended that railroads may
make rate agreements under the strict
supervision Of the interstate com
merce commission 1t is not likely
that more subjects than the tariff and
ain amendment to the Sherman act
will be named by Mr.. Taft in calling
the extra session, though he may de-
eide later to mention all OF the prin-
cipal laws that he hopes to see en-
acted. These are;
/. Putting limitation on the issu-
ance Of interstate bonds and stocks.
2. Authorizing railroads to make
rate agreements which otherwise
would be in violation OF the antitrust
law, subject to the approval OF the
Interstate commerce commission.
3. Defining particular cases in which
temporary restraining orders may is
sue without notice, and prescribing
proceedings limiting their operation
to the very shortest day.
A. Such amendments to the law or
ganizing the bureau of corporations
as shall require certain large corpor-
ations doing an interstate business to
submit to the scrutiny and examina-
ton of agents Of the federal govern
ment
s. Recognizing the department OF
Justice, the interstate commerce COM
mission and the department of COM
merce and labor in respect to the jur-
isdiction exercised by them over in
terstate corporations, both railroads
and others. 1t is Mr.. Taft's idea that
the three departments should work
harmoniously, so that no one shall be
going over ground covered by another
and so that there shall be no conflict
Of authority. Ultimately cases han
died by these departments must now
go to the courts, but it is Mr. Taft's
idea that a large number of cases car
be disposed of finally and equitably
by the departments under the right
sort of law.
6. Reform in the monetary and
banking systems of the country. This
is recognized as one of the great
problems before the new administra-
ton, but it is not expected that ii
will be taken up at the extra session
Z. Conservation of the natural re-
sources of the country, including the
Appalachian bill. The question Of the
constitutional power Of the fedora
| government in this matter is not ye
clear. 1t can be said that Mr. Taft i:
in sympathy with the end to be ac
complished, but that he will recon-
mend no legislation until he is salts
fled as to the exact length to which
the federal government can go.
8. Improvements Of rivers and har
bors. The new administration is com
mitted to an energetic policy of i'm
provement, particularly of inlant
waterways. The Ohio river nine-foo
channel from Pittsburg to Cairo is t,
| the front at present 1t will cost Sol.
100000, and the next president favor
| the issuance of bonds to push tn
work.