Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-13

tempt at tariff reform before the cleo
ton; and the reduction promised after
the election Is so hedged about with
qualifying phrases that no one can
estimate with accuracy the sum total
of tariff reform to be expected in case
of Republican success. If the past can
be taken as a guide, the Republican
party will be SO obligated by campaign
contributions from the benefciaries OF
protection as to make that party pow
erless to bring to the country any ma
terial relief from the present tariff
burdens.
Why No Antitrust LegisIation7
A few years ago the Republican lead
ers in the house of representatives
were coerced by public opinion into the
support of an antitrust law, which
had the Endorsement of the president,
but the senate refused to even consider
the measure, and since that time no
effort has been made by the dominant
party to secure remedial legislation
upon this subject.
For ten years the Interstate COM
merce commission has been asking for
an enlargement of its powers that it
might prevent rebates and discrimina-
tions, but a Republican sci ate and a
Republican house Of representatives
were unmoved by it's entreaties. In
1900 the Republican national conven-
ton was urged to indorse the demand
for railway legislation, but its plat
form was silent on The subject.
Even in 1904 the convention gave no
pledge to remedy these abuses. When
the president finally asked for legisla-
ton he drew his inspiration from three
Democratic national platforms, and he
received more cordial support from
the Democrats than from the Republi-
rams Tho PoO1,biiaanS In the senate
deliberately defeated several amend
ments offered by Senator La Toilette
and supported by the Democrats
amendments embodying legislation
asked by the interstate commerce COM
mission. One of these amendments
authorized the ascertainent of the
value of railroads. This amendment
was not only defeated by the senate,
but it was overwhelmingly rejected
by the recent Republican national con-
vention, and the Republican candidate
has sought to rescue his party from
the disastrous results of this act by
expressing himself, in a qualified way,
in favor of ascertaining the value of
the railroads.
overissue Of Stocks and Bonds
Mr.. Taft complains of the overissueI
of stocks and bonds of railroads, for
the unlawful enriching of directors and
for the purpose of concentrating the
control OF the railroads under one man
agement," and the complaint is we'll
founded. But, with a president to point
out the evil, and Republican congress
to correct 1t, we find nothing done for
the protection of the public. Why2
My honorable opponent has, by his con-
fession, relieved me of the necessity of
proof; he admits the condi-
ton and he cannot avoid the logical
conclusion that must be drawn from
the admission. There is no doubt what
ever that large majority of the voters
of the Republican party recognize the
situation which Mr.. Taft
describes; they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon the admins |
tration of the government. and they
are beginning TO understand the cause. |
For a generation the Republican party |
has drawn its campaign funds from the |
of special legislation.
Privileges have been pledged and
granted in return for money contributed
to debauch elections. What can be ex- /
pected when official authority is turned
over to the representatives of those |
who first furnish the sinews of war and
then reimburse themselves out of the
pockets of the taxpayers?