The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-10-15
Good Reading For Democrats
and Republicans Both.
The Democratic National Platform
TRUSTS.

A private MONOPOLY is indefensible and intOlerable; we therefore
trust magnates and officials and demand the enactment of such ad-
ditonal Legislation as may be necessary TO make it impossible for
ditional remedies, we specify three: First, a law preventing a dupi-
cation of directors among competing corporations; second, a license
system which will, without aoridging the right OF each State to create
corporations, or its right to regulate as it will foreign corporations
doing business within its limits, make it necessary for a manufac-
out a Federal license before it shall be permitted to control as much
as 25 per cent. of the product in which it deals, the license to protect
the public from watered stock and to prohibit the control by such
corporation of more than so per cent of the total amount of any
product consumed in the United States, and, third, a law compelling
such licensed corporations to sell to all purchasers in all parts of the
country on the same terms, after making due allowance for cost of
transportation.
We assert the right of Congress to exercise complete control over
interstate commerce and the right of each State to exercise like con-
troll over commerce within its borders.
We demand such enlargement of the powers of the Interstate Com
merce Commission as may be necessaryAto enable it to compel rail
roads to perform their duties as common carriers and prevent dis
elimination and extorton.
We favor the efficient supervision and rate regulation of railroads
engaged in interstate commerce. To this end we recommend the
valuation Of railroads by the Interstate Commerce Commission, such
valuation to take into consideration the physical value OF the prop
erty, the original cost, the cost of production and all elements of
value that viii render the valuation fair and just.
We favor such legislation IS will prohibit the railroads from en-
gaging in business which brings them into competition with their
shippers; also legislation preventing the overissue of stocks and bonds
by interstate railroads, and legislation which will assure such reduc-
Aion In transportation rates as conditions will permit, care being
taken to avoid reduction that would compel a reduction of wages,
prevent adequate service or do injustice to legitimate investments
We heartily approve the laws prohibiting the pass and the rebate
and we favor any further necessary legislation to restrain, correct and
prevent such abuses. @s @Ars@ -e#e#E
We favor such legislation IS will increase the power of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, giving to it the initiative with reference
10 rates and transportation charges put into effect by the railroad
companies, and permitting the Interstate Commerce Commission on
Its own initiative to declare a rate illegal and as being more than
should be charged for such service. The present law relating thereto
is inadequate by reason of the fact that the Interstate Commerce
Commission is without power to fix or investigate a rate until COM
plant has been made to it by the shipper.
We further declare In favor of a law providing that all agree
ments of traffic or other associations of railway agents affecting in
terstate rates, service or classification shall be unlawful unless fled
with and approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
We favor the enactment of a law giving to the Interstate Com
meree Commission the power to inspect proposed railroad tariff rates
or schedules before they shall take effect, and if they be found to be
unreasonable, to initiate an adjustment thereof
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE.
We pledge the Democratic Party to the enactment of a law to
regulate, under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, the rates and services of telegraph and telephone companies
engaged in the transmission of messages between the States
RANKING.
The panic Of 1907, coming without any legitimate excuse when
fhe Republican Party had for a decade been in complete control
of the Federal Government furnishes additional proof that It is
either unwilling Or incompetentt to protect the interests of the gen
eral public Tt has so linked the country TO WaIl Street that the
Gns Of the SPECTATORS are visited upon the whole people. While
refusing torescue the wealth producers from spoiation at the hands
ofthe stock gamblers and spectators Hplaa IN farm products, it has de-
posted Treasury funds, Fithouts interest and without competition,
IN aTOrite5bana It has qsdd en- emergency for which it is largely
-responsiblete force troughbGongress a4bl changing the basis of
bank currency andsinvning marketimanipulafio and has failed to