The Washington herald., 1909-01-25
ROOSEVELT POLICIES.

From the Presidents message transmitting the rs-
port oE the conservation cou11issiou-
This administration has achieved some
things; 1t has sought. but has not been
able. to achieve others; II has doubtless
made mistakes, but all It has done o=
attempted has been in the single. con-
sistent effort 10 secure and enlarge the
rights and opportunities OF the men and
women Of the United States. We are
trying 10 conserve what is good in our
social system, and We are striving to-
ward this end when we endeavor 10 do
away with what is bad. Success may be
made too hard for some if il is made too
easy for others The rewards OF common
industry and thrift may be too small II
the rewards for other, and, on the whole,
less valuable, qualities are made too
large, and especially II the rewards for
qualities which are really, from the pub
lie standpoint, undesirable are permitted
10 become too large. Our aim is 50 far
as possible 20 provide such conditions
that there shall be equality Of opportu-
nifty where there is equality Of energy,
fidelity, and intelligence; when there is a
reasonable equality Of opportunity the
distribution Of rewards viii take care Of
itself
The unchecked existence Of monopoly
Is incompatible with equality or oppor-
tunIty. The reason for the exercise Of
government control over great monopO-
les is TO equaiize opportunity. We are
fighting against privilege. Il was made
unlawful for corporations to contribute
money for election expenses in order TO
abridge the power Of special privilege al
the polls Railroad rate control is an
attempt 70 secure an equality OF oppOr-
tunity for al men affected by rail trans
p0rtation-and that means all OF Us. The
great anthracite coal strike was settled
and the pressing danger OF a coal famine
averted because We recognized that the
control OF a public necessity involves a
duty 10 the people, and that public inter
vention In the affairs OF a public service
corporation IS neither TO be resented as
usurpati0n nor permitted as a privilege
by the corporations. but, on the contrary.
20 BE- accepted as a duty and exercised
as a right by the government in the in
terest Of all the people The efficiency
OF the army and the navy has been in
creased 50 that our people may follow in
peace the great work Of making this
country a better place for Americans 10
live in. and our navy was sent around
the world for the same ultimate purpose
All the acts taken BY the government
during the last seven years. and all the
policies now being pursued by the gov
eminent, ft IN as parts OF g consistent
whole
Our public land policy has for IT'S aim
the use Of the public land so that il viii
promote local development by the settle
ment OF hOme-makers. The policy we
champion IS 70 serve all the people legit-
imately and openly, instead OF permit
ting the lands 10 be converted. flegiti-
mately and under cover. to the private
benefit Of a few. Our forest policy was
established 50 that we might use the
public forests for the permanent public
goOd. instead Of merely for temporary
private gain The reclamation act. IN
Ger which the desert parts OF the public
domain are converted 20 higher uses for
the general benefit. was passed so that
more Americans might have homes on
the land
These policies we're enacted into law
and have justified their enactment. Others
have failed, so far. 10 reach the point OF
action. Among such IS the attempt to
secure public control OF the open range
and thus 10 convert sts benefits 10 the
Use Of the small man, who Is the home
maker. instead Of allowing IL 20 be con-
trolled by a few great cattle and sheep
owners
The enactment Of a pure food law was
a recognition OF the fact that the public
welfare outweighs the right 70 private
gain. and that no man may poison the
people for his private profit The en-
ployers' liability bin recognized the con-
trolling fact that while the employer
usually has al stake no more than his
profit. the stake Of the employe IS a liv-
ing for himself and his family
We are building the Panama Canal, and
this means that We are engaged IN the
giant engineering feat OF al time We
are striving 70 add in all WAYS 70 the
hab3tability and beauty Of OUT country.
We are striving 10 hold in the public
hands the remaining supply and Unap-
propriated coal for the protection and
benefit Of all the people We have taken
the frst steps toward the Conservation OF
our natural resources and the better
uent Of country life and the improve
ment II our waterways We stand for
the right Of every child 70 a childhood
free from grinding toll and 10 an edu-
cation; for the civic responsibility and
decency Of every citizen. for prudent
foresight in public matters. and for fair
play in every relation Of our national and
economic life IN international matters
We apply a system OF diplomacy which
puts the obligations Of international NOR
aiity on level with those that govern
the actions Of an honest gentleman in
dealing with his feII0w-men- Within our
own border, we stand for truth and hon
esty in public and in private life. and we
war sternly against wrongdoers Of every
grade. AL these efforts are integral parts
Of the same attempt-the attempt % en-
throne justice and righteousness. TO Sc
cure freedom Of opportunity 10 all OF our
citizens. now and hereafter. and 70 set
the ultimate interest Of all Of Us above
the temporary interest OF any individual,
class, or group.