Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-02-12
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SCORES
BIG CORPORATIONS BECAUSE
OF THEIR ATTITUDE.
STANDARDS METHODS
ARE TORN TO PIECES
Tendency of Oil Concern to "over-
Awe, Crush and Disdain Public"
Proves Warm Theme in Chiefs
Communication.

President Roosevelt's sizzling mes
sage to congress asked the enactment
OF a fair employers liability law, more
powers for the Interstate Commerce
Commission, and the executive again
called to the attention of the law
makers his campaign against the "spe-
cially privileged rich" Regarding the
employers liability act. recently de-
clared unconstitutional by the supreme
court, the president said:
"As regards the employers liability
law. I advocate it's immediate reenact-
ment, limiting it's scope so that it shall
apply only to the class of cases to
which the court says it can constitu-
donally apply, but strengthening it's
employment being thus covered by an
adequate national law. the field of in
trastate employment will be left to the
action of the several states. With this
clear definition of responsibility the
states will undoubtedly give to the
performance of their duty within their
held the consideration the Importance
OF the subject demands.
Il also very urgently advise that a COM
prehensive act be passed providing for
compensation by the government to all
employees injured in the government
service. Under the present law an in
1ured workman in the employment of
the entire burden of the accident falls
on the helpless man. his wife, and his
young children; This is an outrage.
uou that there should not be on our
statute books provision to meet and
partially atone for cruel misfortune
when IL comes upon a man through no
iault OF his own while faithfully serv-
Ing the public"
AssaiIs Injunction Abuse.
Abuse or the use OF the injunction
In labor cases provided another theme
for the executive. He declared there
rights and wrongs of labor from black
listing to bOycotting. Continuing, he
"As regards injunctions. I can do lit
tle but repeat what 1 have said in my
last message to congress. Even though
II were possible, / should consider it
most unwise to abolish the use of the
process of Injunction. 1t is necessary
IN order that the courts may maintain
they may in effective manner check
disorder and violence. The Judge who
uses 1t cautiously and conservatively
put who, when the need arises. uses it
tearlessly, confers the greatest SER
vice upon our people and his preemi-
nS Sn HSe he ss-, as public servant
there Is no question in my mind that
1t has sometimes been used heedlessly
and unjustly. and that some of the in
functions issued innict grave and oc-
those enjoined."
That the Santa Fe railroad president
had guilty knowledge of rebating is an
assertion which the executive made
with effect. In his message he in
he declared point TO the truth of his
nection are:
In enclose herewith a statement is
sued by the chief of the bureau of cor
pOrations in answer to certain state
ments (Which l also enclose). made by
Standard Oil Corporation and a letter
OF the encouragement containing an
answer to certain statements. also in
closed. made by the president of the
Santa Fe Railway Company. The
Standard Oil Corporation and the rail-
way company have both been found
conduct; both have been sentenced to
pay heavy fines; and each has issued
and published broadcast these state
ments, asserting their innocence and
denounctng as improper the action of
the courts and juries in convicting them
of guilt These statements are very
elaborate, are very ingenious. and are
inntruthful in important particulars.
The letter and Enclosure from Mr..
Heney sufficiently illustrate the meth
DDS or the high officials of the Santa
Ee and show the utter falsity of their
the standard Oil being equally with
out foundation"
Would See Traffic Associations.
Uniformity or railroad rates was an
other one of the executives themes
which is of interest to the general pub
pool or traffic associations for the pur-
pose OF comforting on rates. In that
ne continued follows:
desire to repeat my recommends
zion that railways be permitted to form
traffic associations for the purpose of
comforting about and agreeing upon
rates. regulations, and practices AFFECT
ing Interstate business in which the
members of the association are mu-
that they should be given the right
20 pool their earnings or their traffic
80 adjusted as not to discrimi5afe he oe
tween individuals. localities, or differ
ent species or traffic. Ordinarily rates by
As applied to practical conditions. the
railway operations of this country
can not be conducted according to law
without what is equivalent to confer
ence and agreement. The articles un-
der which such associations operate
all their operations should be open ~ r.;
puo1c inspection; and the rates regu-
lations. and practices upon which they
agree should be subject to disapproval
by the commission"
Then followed roast" on the "eviI
rchY The president told of the cam
conducted and set forth remedial Ieeis-
s1aion. His statement in that regard
Under no circumstances would we
countenance attacks upon law-abidine
properly. or do aught but condemIi
tn1Se who hold up rich men as being
eNtl men because of their riches on
the contrary. our whole EFFORT is TO in
ost upon conduct. and neither wealth nor
IcA any ONDeT claSS distinction
a. being the proper standard by which 10
5ocSe the actions OF men. For the hot
ct man OF great wealth we have a
hearty regard. just as we have n hearty
regard for the honest politician and hon,
- newspaper. But part of the move
ment to uphold honesty must be a move
ment to frown on dishonesty We at.
tack only corrupt men of wealth WIZ
md in the purchased politician the most
emc1ent Instrument OF corruption and Is
the purchased newspaper the most effi
cent oeienoer OF corruption. Our mali
quarrel Is not with these agents and
Representatives of the interests. They
derive their chief power from the great
sinister offenders who stand behind
them They are but puppets who move
e the strings are pulled. It is not tbs
puppets, but the strong cunning mer
and the mighty forces working for eyi
behind and through the puppets, witt
whom we have to deal We seek TO con.
troll laW-defying wealth: in the first plac.
% prevent its doing dire evil to the re
public. and In the next place to avoid
Ia Vandictive and dreadful radIcaiisn