The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1908-07-30
What Roosevelt Has Done.

"The man who formulated the express
sion of the popular conscience and who
led the movement for practical reform
WAS Theodore Roosevelt. He laid down
the doctrine that the rich ViolatOrs of the
law should be amenabe to restrain and
punish as the offender without wealth.
and without influence, and he proceeded
by recommending legislation and direct
ing executive action to make that prln-
ciple good in actual performance. He
secured the passage Of the so-called rate
bill. designed more effectively to restrain
excessive and fix reasonable rates, and
TO punish secret rebates and discrimna-
ton which have been general in the prac-
tCe OF the railroads, and which mad done
much to enable unlawful trusts to drive
out of business their competitors 1t Sc
cured much closer observation of rail-
way transactions and brought within
the operation Of the same statute express
companies, sleeping car companies, fast
freight and refrigerator lines, terminal
railroads and pipe lines, and forbade in
future the combination Of the trauspor-
tation and shipping business under one
control, in order to avoid undue discrim-
ination,
president Roosevelt directed suits to be
brought and prosecutions to be instituted
under the antitrust law. TO enforce its
provisions against the most powerful of
the Industrial corporations He pressed
meat inspection law in the interest of
the health Of the public, clean business
methods and great ultimate benefit 10 the
trades themselves. He recommended the
passage Of law, which the Republican
convention has since specifically APP
proved, restricting the future issue of
stocks and bonds by interstate rail
WAYS. to such as may be authorized by
federal authority.
Function Of Next Administration.
"'rhe chief function of the next adj
ministration in my judgment Is distinct
from and a progressive development
which has been performed by President
Roosevelt
"The chief function Of the next admin
istraton is to complete and perfect the
machinery by which these standards may
be maintained by which the law breakers
may be promptly restrained and pun
jshed. but which shall operate with SUI
fcient accuracy and dispatch TO interfere
with legitimate business as little as pos
sible. Such machinery is not now ade-
quate. Under the present rate bill, and
under all its amendments, the burden OF
tie interstate commerce commission In
supervising and regulating the operation
Of the railroads Of this country has
grown 80 heavy that II is utterly impos-
sible for that tribunal TO hear and dis
nose. in any reasonable time, Of the many
0
brought before it for decision II ought
TO be relieved of its jurisdiction as ar
executive, directing body, and its func-
tions should be limited to the quasi-iu-
dicial investigation Of complaints by in
! dividuals, and by department Of the
government charged with the executive
| business of supervising the operation Of
railways
Constructive Work Detailed.
| "The field covered by the industrial
combinations and by the railroads is Sc
very extensive that the interests Of the
public and the interests of the businesses
| concerned cannot be properly subserve(
| except by reorganization OF bureaus II
the department OF commerce and labor
| of agriculture, and the department Of JUS
| ticc. and O change In the jurisdiction o.
| the interstate commerce commission. 1
| does not assist matters to prescribe new
! duties for the interstate commerce com
mission which 1t is practically impossible
for Il to perform or to denounce new of
!, lenses with drastic punishment unless
| subordinate an auxiliary Legislation
| shall be passed, making possible thu
quick enforcement in the great variety o
| cases which are constantly arising, o
the principles laid down by Mr.. Roose
welt. and with respect to which only typi
cal Instances of prosecution with tn,
nresent machinery are possible. Sucl
Negotiation should and would greatly
promote legitimate business by enabling
| those anxious to obey the federal stat
| ,1tes Ia know Just what are the bond
| of their lawful action. The practical con
| structive and difficult work, therefore, o
those who follow Mr.. Roosevelt, is to de