Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-23

SCI is of the corporations in direct vio-
lation of law.
'FSllowing this came the great ca
lamity at San Francisco, almost de-
stroying the sixth great city of the ma
ton. entailing a loss of several hum
dred million dollars, impoverishing the
citizens as well as the insurance COM
panies.
Then upon the heels of this disas-
ter, We find the public officials of that
city charged with the violation Of al
most every trust. while the people
battling for existence. We also had the
grating ana bribery that was I'M
earthed in at least three other import
ant cities, and finally came the ex-
posture of high finance, manipulation
of the assets of great railroad fol-
lowed by the conviction of their Off
Gals and also those of the large in
dustrial corporations for utter disre-
gard of the laws of the nation and
state
when these things are considered
no one can express surprise that the
confidence of the people should be
shaken. To you. Mr.. President. we ac-
cord the credit due for compelling re
spect for the laws by the great and
small alike.
We believe that your work toward
business morality will be remembered
as a milestone, not only in the develop
nent of this countrys business morals.
but as milestone in the progress OF
the world.
1--WE believe the business integrity
of the average merchant in this coun
try is Of a higher standard than in any
other; we, therefore, appreciate and
commend all the more your fearless
activity which has resulted in raising
the standard. and we realize that no
greater service has ever been rendered
our country.
"'No great good has ever been ac-
compished in any times without some
suffering in consequence; but we now
urge you to consider with extreme pa
| tience the unusual conditions that pre-
| vail. and while abandoning no eX-
pressed principle to adjust your exc
| cutive action to the requirements of
| this period of business tin!idity
| I'VE ask you. Mr.. President, to indi-
cate to the Congress the corrective
| measures you deem it necessary to
take. We believe that the first step
| towards resumption of normal business
conditions can be taken by the Con-
gress in response to explicit recon-
| mendations by the executive
| "A subcommittee, consisting of
| Messrs. Hall, Wacker. Smith and
Topping, called on the President at the
executive office Saturday morning and
they were informed by the President
| that he would probably communicate
| to Congress this week explicit recon.
mendations concerning the Legislation
| needed 4"
I he President, Senator Aldrich ant
| Representatives Payne of New York
| Daizcll Of Pennsylvania, and Hepburn
| Of Iowa. participated in the conference
Saturday. The chief subject considered
was tariff revision, but there will b.
.tEer conferences at which these ques
tons will be taken up in detail.
| An agreement was reached between
the President and the leaders of thu
| House and Senate in favor of n decia
ration for a revision of the tariff at {
special session to be held after Marcf
a. 1909.
It was decided that the best manner II
which to prepare for the legislation IS Z
have investigations conducted by TIT
ways and means committee of the Hous
and the finance committee of the Senate
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