The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-09-18
TAFT and THE
PARTY PLATFORM.
A Review of the Platform and
Those Things for Which
II Stands.

of certain evils for which a remedy
must be found and applied.
Rebates and discrimination on the
part of railroads, violation of the
antitrust law and the over-issue of
stock and bonds by interstate rail-
roads are among the evils demanding
attention.
President Roosevelt has well begun
the work of remedy. He has formu-
lated the expression of the popular
conscience.
The rate law, the pure food law,
the meat inspection law are theresults
OF his efforts and policies. Other i'm
portant recommendations have been
made by him that the party has ap-
proved.
The chief function of the next Ad-
ministration is to cliDch the work al
ready done under Roosevelt, and car
ry on the campaign along the same
lines until its object is achieved.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion should be relieved of it's function
as an executive, directing body. 1t
now has more TO do than becomes
within its capacity for work.
Interstate railroads should be al
lowed to make reasonable and useful
traffic agreements subject to approval
of the Commission.
Physical valuation OF railroads is
n revalent and important, but not nee
essarily a controlling, factor in the
fixing of rates. The value of the road
as a going concern, its good will and
similar considerations must be weigh
ed.
TIE effect of the valuation and sup
ervision of raj road securities must no
he retroactive.
Over-capalization in early years
will probably be compensated for by
the normal increase in railroad pro-
perties. especially terminals.
If the right TO a fair profit is con-
coded, no injustice can be done by a
proper application of the principal OF
physical valuation when found neces-
sary.
Federal supervision of corporations
doing interstate trade can best be eff
feeted by the plan forvoluntary class
ification provided in Roosevelt's pro-
posed amendment to the Hepburn law.
The suggestion of the Democratic
platform that Federal licnse be re-
Quired of all corporations controlling
twenty-five per cent of the products
in which many small corporations not
coming within the real purpose of the
antitrust law.
Existing ruling of the Supreme
Court make necessary amendments to
the antitrust law To prevent its APP
plication TO cases not intended TO be
covered by the trainers of the measure.
One instance of such cases is the
frequent sale of a business with the
agreement that the man or firm MAX
ing the sale shall not engage in the
same business in the territory by the
transaction.
Another instance is the combina-
ton of wage-earners for the purpose
of striking to secure better wages.
The Democratic proposal to compel
a corporation to sell its commodies at
the same price the country over is as
absurd and Socialistic plank as was
ever inserted in a Democratic plat
form.
Where it can be shown that such
variations in prices are made with a
determined purpose TO kill competition
or create an unlawful monopoly. con-
viction under the antitrust law is
justified
In all these matters Mr.. RoosevelVs
policies nave been progressive and re-
gulative. Nr. Bryan's destructive.
Roosevelt favors regulation OF bu-
siness where evils exist so as to
SltAllip bNt AA-t WIS anu PEI mt llc
business to continue.
Nr. Bryan would destroy the bust
hess itself along with the evils ne
seeks 10 reform.
The combination of capital 50 as
10 secure economy of production s 2
wise and necessary thing. An unlawful
trust is one that has for its aim the
killing of competition. restriction of
output and raings Of prices. Here
tie public derives 10 ben-n from the
economy secured by conibii ..t-on. and
We have a monopoly.
An unlawful trust shouldbe restrain
ed with all the efficiency of an injunc
ton process and the persons engaged
in It should be severely punished I'M
der criminal prosecution.
The Democratic platform proposes