The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-02-07
ACTION URGED
BY ROOSEVELT
On Some Important Legislation
Which He Puts Up to Congress.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
President Surprises Lawmakers and the
Country in strong Recommendation
Of Remarkable Document.

special message Friday which Is, in
reality an uncomprosmising and
categorical review OF his administra
tive policies, an analysis of their
meaning and the necessity for their
existence and vigorous attack upon
CRITICS who have sought to discredit
the administration campaign against
commercial corruption, or to hold it
responsible for the recent panic. He
omits no single phase Of the war
against predatory wealth. points out
the interest Of every citizen in decent
government, dwells on the prime me-
cessity of railroad and corporation reg
ulatlon, touches on federal and state
functions in this direction and on the
question OF falling or fining malefac-
tors Of great wealth" He calls cor
porations and individuals by name
with unerring fuency.
The president calls for the immedi-
ate re-enactment OF the employers
liability law, which has been declar-
ed unconstitutional, in such form as
will meet the requirements Of the su-
preme court. He depends upon the
respective states to do their part to-
ward fulfilling the duties Of which
the federal government is deprived
He also urges that an act be passed
compensating government employees
injured in public service.
1T is all wrong" says Mr. Roose-
welt, to use the injunction to prevent
the entirely proper and legitimate ac-
lions Of labor organizations in their
struggle for industrial betterment, or
under the guise of protecting property
! rights unwarrantably to invade the
fundamental rights of the individual"
He promises to send special mes
sage to congress on the case of Adair
VS.. the United States, the effect OF
which Is far-reaching, but which Of
Hcers OF the government have not yet
had the opportunity to study in all
/
its bearings.
The president would give the inter
state commerce commission the right
to pass on any rate or practice Of the
railroads on its own initiative. He
would also give the government super
vision over the financial affairs Of In
terstate railroads. to the end that over
capitalization might be avoided, specu-
lation eliminated and bond proceeds
devoted only to legitimate purposes.
He declares that overcapitalization al
ready of fixed value must be recognized
as affecting thousands of innocent
shareholders. Many rates, he contends,
are already too low, and it is better
| in the interest of imperative improve
ments that earnings should be too
liberal rather than insufficient The
Sherman antitrust law, he says, calls
for immediate amendment. In its
present shape it is entirely untitled to
meet the conditions Of today, often
tending to produce the very evils it
aims to suppress The president speci-
fies certain combinations which are
lawful and expedient for the railroads.
The president attacks stock and mar
ket gambling in strong terms.
The message created a great deal
OF comment among the nations law
makers. The presidents friends COM
mend It enthusiastically. Some OF the
talks in the cloak room and corri-
doris turned upon a third term for
Roosevelt and discussed this action as
bid for support from those who be-
lleve President Roosevelt is the only
man with the determination, grit and
perseverance to fight through congress
the aggressive policies outlined in the
special message.
It came as surprise that the presi-
dent should send another message to
congress calling for further corporate
regulations; particularly since he reib
! Grated his OLD recommendation in his
December message. In the senate the
message was heard in decorous ST.
lence. IN the house it was continuously
applauded, particularly the reference 20
punishment OF wrongdoers and his de.
( tense Of federal Judges.
"A splendid democratic doctrine"
said Senator Jef Davis. "a bid for a
third term" said Representative Clay
ton OF Alabama. Senator Davis NOV
ed that 10000 copies OF the message
be printed aad the motion was