Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-07-17


we call attention to the fact that the re-
cent Republican national convention at
Chicago refused when the plank was pre-
scented to 1t to declare against such prac-
tees.
We pledge the Democratic party to the
enactment OF a law preventing any cor
and any individual from contributing an
amount above a reasonable maximum and
providing for the publication before cleo
ton of all such contributions.
Railroad Regulations.
We assert the right of Congress to exer-
else complete control over Interstate COM
merce and the right of each state to ex-
ercise like control over commerce within
its borders.
We demand such enlargement of the
powers OF the interstate commerce com.
mission as may be necessary to compel
railroads to perform their duties as COM
mon carriers and prevent discrimination
and extortion.
We favor the efficient supervision and
rate regulation of railroads engaged in
interstate commerce, and 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 property, the orig
inal cost, cost of production and all ele-
ments of value that will render the valua-
ton made fair and just
We favor such legislation as will pro-
hibit the railroads from engaging in bust
ness which brings them into competition
3,
will assure such reduction in transporta-
ton rates as conditions will permit care
being taken to avoid reductions that would
compel reduction of wages prevent ade-
quate service or do injustice to legitimate
investments. We heartily approve the
laws prohibiting the pass and the rebate,
and we favor any further necessary legis-
lation to restrain, control and prevent
such abuses.
We favor such legislation as will In
crease the power of the interstate COM
IT. TIT
tive with reference to rates and transpor-
tation charges put into effevt by the rail-
road companies, and permitting the inter
state commerce commission on Its own
initiative to declare a rate illegal and as
being more than should be charged for
such service. That the present law re
lating thereto is inadequate by reason of
the fact that the interstate commerce
commission Is without power to fix or In
vestigate a rate until complaint has been
made to it by the shipper.
We further declare that all agreements
of traffic or other associations Of railway
agents affecting interstate rates, service
or classification shall be unlawful unless
filed with and approved by the interstate
We favor the enactment of law giving
to the interstate commerce commission the
power to inspect proposed railroad tarin
rates or schedules before they shall take
effect. and, If they be found to- be unrea-
sonable to initiate an adjustment thereof
Rights of the States.
Believing, with Jefferson, in 1.-The support
Of the state governments in all their rights
as the most competent administration TOT
our domestic concerns and the surest Dui.
and in ''the preservation Of the general
government in it's whole constitutional Wig
or as the sheet anchor of our peace at nome
the Capitalization implied in these suG-
gestions, now frequently made, that the
powers of the general government should
L. I1I R,,I{ nSal e.fuy10 ton
is no twilight zone between the nation and
the state in which exploiting interests can
take refuge from both; and it is as neces-
ercise the powers delegated to it as it Is
that the state governments shall use the
authority reserved to them, but we insist
that federal remedies for the regulation OF
interstate commerce and for the prevention
of private monopoly shall be added to, not
substituted for, state remedies.
Economy in Administration.
The Republican Congress in the session
just ended has made appropriations amount
ing to ,OOS,00o,0OO, exceeding the total
$90,OOO0O0, and leaving a deficit of more
than $60,OO0,0O0 for the fiscal year. We
denounce the needless waste of the peo-
of all prudent conditions of government
as no less than crime against the mil
lions of workingmen and women from
these colossal sums must be extorted
through excessive tariff exactions and other
in the face of this shocking record, the
Republican platform contains no reference
to economical administration or promise
stop be put to this frightful extravaganza
and insist upon the strictest economy in
every department compatible with frugal
and efficient administration.
Office Holders.
Cotncident with the enormous increase In
expenditures is a like addition to the num-
%, 1874 were added, costing $40, 1856 900, and
in the last six years of the Republican adj
ministratiOn the total number of new of
fees created, aside from many commits
tional expenditure of nearly $4,000, 900, as
against only 1920 new offices created I'M
der the Cleveland and Mckinley admins
trations, which involved an expenditure Of
only 100000. We denounce this great
and growing increase in the number Of Of
flee holders as not only unnecessary and
deliberate purpose on the part of the ad-
to keep the Republican party
in power at public expense by thus III
creasing the number of it's retainers and
be no less dangerous and corrupt than the
open purchase of votes at the polls.
Banking.
The panic of 1907, coming without any
legitimate excuse, when the Republican
party had for a decade been in complete
control of the federal government, furnishes
additional proof that it is either unwilling
or incompetent to protect the interests Of
the general public. 1t has so linked the
to Wall street that the syndicate
sins of the spectators are visited upon the
whole people. While refusing to rescue the
wealth producers from spoliation at the
hands Of the stock gamblers and specu-
lators in farm products, it has deposited
treasury funds, without interest and with
out competition, in ofavorite banks. 1t has
Used an emergency for which it is largely
to force through Congress bill
the basis of bank currency and in
viting market manipulation, and has failed
to give to the 100000 depositors of the
protection in their savings.
We believe that in SO far as the needs of
commerce require an emergency currency.
such currency should be issued, controlled
by the federal government and loaned on
adequate security to national and state
banks. We pledge ourselves to legislation
under which the national banks shall be
required to establish a guarantee fund for
the prompt payment of the depostors of
any insolvent national bank under an equl-
table system which shall be available to all
state banking institutions wishing to use it.
We favor a postal savings bank, If the
guaranteed bank cannot be secured, and
that it be constituted so as to keep the
deposited money in the communities where
it is established. But we condemn the pol