Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-12-09

Summary OF His Statement and Rec
concentrations.


concentrations.
President Roosevelt in his last annual
meesage to Congress rsiterates in vigorous
language his well-known views regarding
the centrAiisalion Of power in the hands
Of the federal GOVERNMENT for the purpose
Of dealing with the great corporations and
railways; again criticises federal Judges
for their failure to apply old principles to
meet the new conditions caused By the
vital changes that have taken place in our
body polite; advocates new laws in the
interests OF labor; appeals for legislation
to conserve the forests and the soil; points
the way to . settlement OF the inland
waterway problem and asks for the
strengt hening Of our war forces.
The message, which contains 1900
words, begins BY stating that the nnAn-
cial situation OF the country II excellent.
The net surplus July 1, 1901, to Sept. %,
1903, is p, Is, 413. But the currency sys-
tenn il imperfect and should b. strength
ened. Believing that diversified state
laws furnish no adequate solution Of the
problem Of dealing with the railways and
trusts, the President strongly urges that
the federal government alone b. em-
powered to take action.
He suggests the modification Of the
Sherman anti-trust law 20 that distinction
can Be- drawn between good and bad trusts,
and he also would give the government
authority 70 stop improper fsvoritism O.
wrongdoing mot By judicial but By sxscu-
tive action.
Ths railways, be says, should b. pat COM
plsesly under The control Of tbs hibernate
commsecs commission, including sapsfs
vision Of The Issuing Of ssosritiss ard H.
making Of ntss. He groaps the anarcAise,
rsaceicnaxy and 'swroagdosr Of great
wealth" - equally undesirsbas psfsous.
themselves ars turning to
the federal control idss, the President
aMrms.
In advocatang legislation in the intsrssts
Of labor, tie President says there must Be
Of child labor, diminution Of
woman labor, shorter hours for all ms
labor, discouragsmsnt Of stock
watering and stock gambling, progressive
tax on large fortunes and
more fi6sfal liability laws.
Five thousand words Of the message are
dsso<sd to the courts. He says Of judges
that there IL no body Of mon whose work
10 20 valuable and who are % inadequately
He suggests that their salaries
b doubled. Attention Il called TO de-
cisious BY courts detrimental to the rights
Of wage workers, the '.sacredness Of con-
tract" 10 questioned and modification Of
/ he Law Of injunction II urged.
President Roosevelt says that except in
cases Of clear violation Of the constitu-
ton the courts should give effect to the
lawfully expressed and deliberate judg-
ment OF the legislature, and not seek to
defeat the will Of the people BY techni-
caiities or strained constructions. The
chief breakdown OF the courts, be says, u
In dealing with the trusts.
President Roosevelt again urges the con-
o. the forests and the soils, and
to give point to his appeal cites the cass
Of great districts Of China and Central Asia
to show how by deforestation gardens have
become deserts or the victim OF floods.
This easily might be our fate. The mat
ter OF solving the inland waterway
problem should be placed in the hands Of
= permanent commission authorized to
the work Of all government
The futility, uselessness and cost OF the
present vacillating method 10 pointed out.
The act OF Congress in restricting the use
Of the secret service 10 held to be Of no
benefit except to criminals. The argu-
ment that congressman do not themselves
wish to be investigated by secret service
men the President evidently does not
think good one, but it could be met BY
specific amendment prohibiting the IN
vestigating Of members OF the national
legislature.
The progress in the Philippines is OUT
lined and the statement is made that 1t
would be folly to grant Independence to
the islands until the people develop self
mastery. For the strengthening OF our
war forces the President urges that pro-
motion in the army should come because
Of fitness to command, not by reason OF
mere seniority. Both infantry and artiI-
lery should be enlarged and general SER
vice corps stablished.
Every possible aid should be given to
the orranized militiaa Rifle practice
among schoolboys should be encouraged.
For the navy four new battle
tleships and additional destroyers and col
Tiers are asked. A general STAFF is pro-
posed, and a system OF promotion by merit
favored.
Nau Sfauwntoat ua.. yS.n,,os.d