Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-14
Delivers Inaugural Address Be-
fore Assembly and Citizens
of the State
PROPOSED POLICIES OUTLINED
Suggests Public Utilities Commission.
Commission to Revise Revenue
Laws, and That Circle Be Replaced
on Election Ballots-stands for Bet
ter Law Enforcement.
Special to Times-Republ,can.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Jan. 14.-Governor b. Q.
Carroll in his inaugural address, read
to the legislature today urges several
new issues, among them the appoint
ment of commission to conserve the
natural resources of the state. But
more important even than that at least
to the cities is his suggestion for the
creation Of public utilities commission
along the lines SO successfully fol-
lowed by Governor Hughes of New
York. Coming as this recommendation
does at time when the public serv-
ice corporations of Des Moines are try
ing to get the city officials to come to
their terms, much interest will be
awakened.
The governor also urges that the cir
Gle be put back on the ballot so that
party men can vote the straight ticket
and also urges that the names OF eau
didates be rotated in the position they
occupy on the ballot.
The governor said III part:
1t Is not my purpose, in the short
time that shall detain you, to enter
into a general discussion Of all the
various interests of the state which it
might be proper to consider or review
In message to your honorable body.
l shall refer to some of them speciical
ly and Join most heartily with our re-
firing chief executive In recommend
ing for your careful consideration the
splendid and thoughtful message which
he, in accordance with the laws and
customs of our state, transmitted to
you day before yesterday. In his re.
view of the affairs OF the state he has
pointed out the various subjects which
in his judgment require the greater at
tention. / trust that you will consider
: most carefully and thoughfully each
and every suggestion which he has
made. as his close connection with the
affairs of the state for many years has
given him broad and comprehensive
view Of its needs and requirements and
renders his opinions of great value.
axe NO BACKWARD SIopSs
We are just now passing through q
period OF public awakening that not
only tries the metal. but tests the
judgment q men. The final result Of
1t all must either be the success or
the failure OF the nation in its efforts
to regulate and control large aggrega-
lions Of capital and to establish a high
err standard of political ethics. Some
years ago the nation, ard our state as
well. were engaged in an effort to es-
tablish such industries and enter
prises in our midst as were necessary
to meet the needs and requirements
of our people. In order to accomplish
the undertakings we were ready to
offer every inducement possible, even
to the extent of giving large bonuses.
land grants and special privileges.
Today we are engaged in an effort to
regulate and control these same con-
Germs. The last task is no less difficult
nor important than the first. believe
you will agree with me that it Is a
more delicate, if indeed not more
difficult, undertaking, because there is
o double responsibility, that Of protect
ing the interests Of the public and also
maintaining, uninjured, the concerns
we are seeking to regulate and control.
That great and substantial progress
has been made in the direction Of cor
poration regulation, believe all will
agree, but there is yet much to be
done. There is, however, in all re-
form, as in all periods of unusual pros
perity, great danger of reaction. What
shall we have accomplished if, after
all the effort that has been put forth.
both by the state and the nation, to
bring about reforms along the lines
suggested, with all the attendant agi-
tation and interference with business
conditions necessarily resulting there
from, we are to slacken our energy or
lesson our efforts to secure better reg
ulation and control of corporate in
terests? The question Of the right and
duty of the state to regulate and con-
troll, not only it's own corporations, but
those seeking to do business within its
borders. is so we'll established as not
to need any argument in its support.
I do not now refer to interstate bust
ness Accepting this as the correct
rule, the responsibility for action rests
upon you as body, and as individuals,
representing constituency of more
than two and one-quarter millions OF
people Who have e,rlowered and
authorized you to do all which they
in person might direct you to do. This
thought, however, should always be
kept in mind, that corporations are
entitled to the same fair and just
treatment that should be given to In
dividuals, and no law should be
passed or even proposed as to such
interests unless its enactment is re
ally necessary and its operations when
enacted will better existing condl
tions. Constant agitation is always
harmful. However, there is one thing
in particular to which want to call
your attention, that is the necessity
for holding on to all the good that
has been accomplished by legislation
and adding to 1t rather than reced
ing from 1t. do not mean to be
understood as saying that you should
not thoroughly. -scrutinize the legisla