The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-02-03
ANOTHER TERM FOR TEDDY !
NEW FACES IN CONGRESS
THAT Is THE HAND WRITING
ON THE WALL SINCE BOTH
HOUSES ARE DETERMINED
TO DO NOTHING THIS SEES.
SION.

races,
That is the construction that
must be placed upon the national
political situation since Roosevelt's
special message Friday, unless con-
gress makes a noticeable effort to
pass some of the remedial legisla.
ton needed.
= That message was the handwrit.
ing on the wall for both houses.
Roosevelt demands for the PEG.
pie the passage of an employers
liability law that the U. S. supreme
court cannot call invalid.
He, demands that Wall st. gam.
blings which has worked such
havoc in national finance be curbed
and Legitimate investment given
the protection it deserves.
He demands that more effective
legislation for controlling railroad
and 5other corporations be passed
in compliance to the unmistakable
demand of the people.
He wants the process of injunc.
ton reduced to limits compatible
with the sentiments of a free PEG.
Plea demand that is certain of
public endorsement Of the strong
est nature in view of the fact that
courts have already gone SO far
as to forbid individuals and organi-
cations from even mentioning their
decisions.
The meat Of his message is sum-
med lup in this conclusion following
enumeration of the legislation vital
ly important at this time to the
common people.
Each and every one of these
laws, if enacted, would represent
part 'of the campaign against privi-
lege. part of the campaign to make
property holders realize that prop
erty3s has its duties no less than it's
rights. When the courts guaran-
tee to the employer, as they should,
the rights of the employer, and to
property the rights of property,
they should no less emphatically
make it evident that they will ex-
act from property the duties which
should necessarily accompany
these rights; and hitherto our
laws have failed in precisely this
point of enforcing the performance
OF dnty by sthe man of property to.
ward the man who works for him,
by the man of great wealth, espe-
cially If he uses that wealth in cor
porate form. toward the investor,
the wageworker and the general
public"
L hat is the sort of doctrine
Roosevelt had the nerve to hurl
upon a congress that is too plainly
determined to do nothing this ses-
sion toward carrying out policy
with which the people of the
United States have no fault to find.
Speaker Cannon is the bulwark in
the house against any such legisla-
ton. The senate needs no pad
locks. 1t is as safe and sane" as
Wall st. could ask.
What chance has any man but
Roosevelt against such combina-
tione And even he can do nothing
under existing circumstances but
storm at the vast walls of the con-
gressional citadel.
Bat with Roosevelt again in the
chait. and congress from which
some action could be expected-a
congress- direct from the people
thelA Is every prospect of saving
what has already been gained for
honest government with the pas
sage of further measures necessary
to The welfare Of the country and
certain to be doomed IL the
strength of unfriendly corporations
now paramount in congress pre-
walls.
No other alternative is left but
Roosevelt and new congress.
-Four hundred and eighty-seven
members of congress, at $500 a
year apiece. cost the people $685..
800 year. This does not count
travel allowance, stationery allow.
ancs and all the incidentals and
perauisites which add to the cost
Four hundred and eight-seven
members of congress have been In
Washington for nearly two months
They are talking about adjournine
in April,
What have they done? Commit
tees have considered "appropria
ton bills Which is a mere rou
tine matter, 1t could all be done
in two weeks If proper attention
We're given to the work.
What else? The offices for house
members, In the new marble palace
have been apportioned.
What else? Sen. Aldrich has Sc
cured attention for hill to make
an $artiflcial market for railroad
bonas and to furnish easy money
forsWall st. speculation.
One OF the house leaders re
mayked to correspondent; THE
people don't seem to be anxious
fors legislation.
A significant light on this Is the
following extract from the Railwa,
World, official organ of transporta
tion corporations. in closing a sar
castle summing up of the presi
dents efforts for reform:
"a gratifying sequel to these de
vastatory activities of the chic
executive is the evident abscenc,
OF any serious purpose in this con
gress To enact any of his radica
recommendations into law"
That explains the corporation at