The morning journal-courier., 1908-07-29


 diate moral effect of It's passage than even In the legal effect of its very use- fnl provisions From It's enactment dates the voluntary abandonment of the practice of rebates and dscrlmina- tlons by the railroads and the return by their managers to obedience to law in the fixing of tariffs The pure food and meat inspection laws and the pros cautions directed by the president un- der the antitrust law have had a sim liar moral effect in the general busl- ness community and have made 1t now the common practice for the great ln- |, dustrial corporations to consult the law with view to keeping within It's provisions It has also had the effect of protecting and encouraging smaller competitive companies SO that they have been enabled to do profitable business.
 But we should he blind to the or dinary working of human nature If we did not recognize that the moral stand ards set by President Roosevelt will not continue to be observed by those whom cupldity and desire for flnan- cial power may tempt, unless the req uisite machinery is introduced into the law which shall In It's practical opera ton maintain these standards and se- cure the country against n departure from them
 Chief Function of Next Administration
 to Cllnch What Has Been Done.
 The chief function of the next ad- ministration, in my judgment, Is dis- tlnct from and a progressive develop ment of that which has been perform cd by President Roosevelt. The chief function of the next administration Is to complete and perfect the machin- cry by which these standards may be maintained, by which the lawbreakers may be promptly restrained and pun ished, but which shall operate with sufficient accuracy and dispatch to in- terfere with legitimate business as lit- tie as possible. Such machinery Is not now adequate. Under the present rate bill. and under all It's amend ments, the burden of the interstate commerce commission 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 com plaints, queries and Issues that are brought before 1t for decision. It ought to be relieved of It's Jurisdiction as an executive. directing body. and It's. functions should be limited to the quasi judicial investigation of com plaints by individuals and by depart ment of the government charged with the executive business of supervising the operation of railways.
 There should be classification of that very small percentage of indus trial corporations having power and opportunity to effect Illegal restraints of trade and monopolies. and legisla- tion either inducing or compelling them to subject themselves to registry and to proper publicity regulations and supervision of the department of commerce and labor.
 Constructive Work of Next AdminIs-
 traitor to Organize Subordinate
 and AncilIary Machinery to
 Maintain Standards on Ono
 Hand, and Not to Inter
 fere 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 prop erly subserved except by reorganiza- ton of bureaus in the department of commerce ana labor, of agriculture, and the department of justice, and a change in the Jurisdiction of the inter- state commerce commission. IL does not assist matters to prescribe new du- ties for the interstate commerce com mission which it Is practically impos- sible for fl 10 perform, or to denounce new offenses with drastic punishment, unless subordinate and apcillary legis- lation shall he passed making possible the quick enforcement in the great variety of cases which are constantly arising. of the principles laid down by Mir. Roosevelt and with respect to which only typical instances of prose- cutlon with the present machinery are possible. Such legislation should and would greatly promote legitimate business by enabling those anxious to obey the federal statues 10 know just what are the bounds of their lawful action. The practical constructive and difficult work. therefore, of those who follow Mir. Roosevelt is to devise the ways and means by which the high level of business integrity and obedi- ence to law which he has established may be maintained. and departures from 1t restrained without undue in terference with legitimate business. Railway Traffic Agreements Approved by Commission should he Valid. It is agreeable to note in this regard , that the republican platform expressly and the democratic platform implied : ly, approve an amendment to the in terstate commerce law, by which in terstate railroads may make useful traffic agreements if approved by the commission This has been strongly recommended by President Roosevelt : and will make for the benefit of the business.
 Physical Valuation of Railways. Some of the suggestions of the dem ooratic platform relate really to this subordinate and ancillary machinery to which l have referred, Take for instance the so-called physical valus-  sum of all rates or receipts of a rail- way. less proper expenses, should be limited to a fair profit upon the req sonabe value of it's property, and that if the sum exceeds this measure. 1t