Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-23

have been maintained in legislative
halls, the EFFORTS to pervert administra-
ton by securing the service for partic-
ular interests of those who pose as the
servants OF the people, the corruption
of the sole means by which the people
| can express their will, have been the
effective causes of distrust Of govern
ment and furnish the most serious pre-
text for assaults upon our institutions.
But while we insist upon pure adj
ministration and the unselfish fidelity
OF public officers, we must visit de-
served contempt upon those who profit
by indiscrininate detraction of men in
| public life. If the people would be
served faithfully they must show their
esteem of faithful service.
wherever there are public rights in
| force. in lands, in mines, IN water
power. these must be safeguarded ana
| protected from spoliation. Wherever
| the public grants a privilege 1t must
| be upon consideration of the common
benefit and under conditions which in
sure to the public a proper return for
| the grant. We must guard our ranges.
our coal deposits our public lands, our
forest treasures by suitable restrictions.
No selfish interest must be permitted
to seize with covetous hands the public
domain.
Supervision Of Roads
III must also De taken 10 De scttieu
rolicy that there shall be complete,
effective and just supervision Of our
railroads. do not believe In arbitrary
action with regard to these important
concerns either by congress or by state
legislatures, or by commissions. The
railroads are not the enemies, but the
servants OF the people. To secure
proper service. they must be subject
TO regulation.
1T must be taken as firmly estab-
lished that the evils Of rebsting and
OF unjust discrimination will not be
tolerated and that adequate and inn
partial service upon reasonable terms
must be insisted upon. There must be
machinery through which public OBJ
| legations as defined by law may be
enforced. This can best be obtained
| through an administrative board such
as the interstate commerce commission.
| The question OF rates must be deter
ciined after full consideration of all
| pertinent facts to the end that the re-
qulrements of impartiality and reason
ableness may be complied with, while at
| the same time a fair return to the
owners of the property may be as
sured Nothing should be lacking In
administrative powers for the attain
Tuent of these objects.
| 1T is also essential that there should
| be efficient supervision of the issue or
securities to avoid the evils of imitation
end of capitalization.
I'VE wish to see American industry
expand. We desire every advantage OF
economic organization; every just OPP
Lortunity for the display of talent and
inventive skill; every possible improve
bnent in the processes of manufacture
| -everything, in short, which enhances
the opportunity of labor and its fruit
| ful employment at good wages. and
which develops and encourages trade.
| At the same time we desire to put an
end to unfair practices, unjustifablc
preferences and oppressive proceedings
| by which, aside from economic advan-
tnges or superior skill in industry RI
walls are barred from equal opportu-
mites and thrust out of the way or
destroyed.
Urges Stern Treatment
Laws, state and federal, should be as
definite as possible should apply with
becoming precision to the practices
sought to be reached. 1t does not make
very great difference whether those
engaged in improper enterprises keep
| it's proceeds in one pocket or in three,
or whether their transactions are de-
| tailed in one or more sets OF accounts.
I
tack them directly.
"And I believe the most efficacious
| means is definition and prescription,
and adequate punishment of offenders.
| The punishment is most salutary when
visited upon the guilty individuals
| Few men can be hired to go to jail
and If the offcnses which public senti-
nent recognizes to be of a grave char
acter are punished by imprisonment,
| the law is more likely to be obeyed
and the punishment to have its In
tended effect.
I'm our legislation and administra-
ton, we must favor no class, bat pro-
| tect the interests of all our citizens
| While the nation may devote its pow
crs to this end so far as matters are
within federal control. our state gov
6rnments and local communities must
not miss their great opportunities. In
the use of all these powers, according
| to their constitutional distribution, for
| the Improvement OF the conditions of
labor and the safeguarding of the free
| dom of commerce, we shall progress
toward the attainment of the aims OF
liberty.
! LET us realize our mutual dependence
| and rejoice with washington, not in
/ rover, but in service: not in distinc-
ton, but in duty we'll performed; not
| in what we have gained, but in what
we have given"