Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-02-22

be served faithfully. they must show
their esteem of faithful service.
Wherever there are public rights In
forests. in lands, in mines. In water
powers, they must be safe-guarded end
protected from spoilation. Wherever
the public grants a privilege, 1t must
be upon consideration of the common
benefit and under conditions which
insure 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 coyetous
hand, the public domain.
1t must also be taken to be set
tied policy that there shall be COM
plete, effective and just supervision OF
our railroads. ] do not believe in ar
bitrary action with regard to these
, important concerns, either by Con-
gress or by the state legislatures, or
by commissions. .
RAILROADS NOT ENEMIES
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 established that the
evils of rebating and or unjust dis
elimination Will not be tolerated ana
that adequate and impartial service
upon reasonable terms will be in
sisted upon. There must be machin-
cry through which public obligations
as defined by law may be enforced.
This can best be obtained through
an administrative board such as tie
Interstate commerce commission. The
question of rates must be determined
after full consideration of all pertin-
ent facts to the end that the require
ments OF impartiality and reasonable
ness may be complied with, wniie AT
the same time, fair return TO the
owners of the property may pc as
sured. Nothing should be lacking in
administrative powers for the attain
ment of these objects.
Ii IL also essential that there should
be efficient supervision of the issue
OF securities to avoid the evils of In
fation and of decentralization.
INDUSTRY SHOULD EXPAND.
We wish TO see American Industry
expand. We desire every advantage OF
economic organization; every Just OPP
portunity for the display OF talent ana
inventive skill; every possible improve
ment in the processes of manufacture;
everything--in short--which enhances
the opportunity of labor and its fruitful
employment at good wages and when
develops and encourages trade. AT
the same time, we desire to put an
end to unfair practises, unJusihapie
preferences and oppressive proceeulhgs
by which, apart from proper economic
advantages or superior skill In Indus
try, rivals are barred from equal oppor-
tunities and thrust out of the way or
destroyed.
Laws, state and federal, should be as
definite as possible, and should Apply
with becoming precision TO the practises
sought to be reached. 1t does hot
make very great difference whether
those engaged in improper enterprise
| keep it's proceeds In one pocket or II
| three or whether their transactions
| are detailed in one or more sets OF
accounts.
HOW TO HANDLE ABUSES.
The way to get rid of abuses Is TO
| attack them directly. And believe the
most efiicacious means is definition and
| prescription, and adequate punishment
| of offenders. The punishment Is most
| salutary when visited upon the gull
| ty individuals. Few men can be hired
| TO go to Jail. And II offenses which
public sentiment recognizes to he of
| grave character are punished by inn
| prisonment, the law lis more likely TO
| be obeyed and the punishment TO have
| It's intended effect.
In our legislation and administration
we must favor no class. but protect
! the interests of all our citizens. While
the nation may devote It's powers 10
this end so far as matters are within
federal control. our state governments
and local communities must not miss
their great opportunities. In the use
OF all these powers. according TO theil
constitutional distribution, for the de-
velopment OF our resources, the encour'
agement OF agriculture, the improve
ment OF the conditions OF labor, ant
the safeguarding of the freedom o
commerce, we shall progress toward the
attainment of the aims OF liberty.
Let uH realize our mutual depend
ence and rejoice with Washington, no
In power, but in service; not I'm dis
tinction, but In duty well performed
not in what we have gained, but Il
what we have given.