The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-20

to the man who has invested his
money and his labor in the farm for
the last decade.
"Iowa has come to be state in
which there is great independence of
views, and in which the voters exer-
else intelligent discrimination with
reference to candidates and politics
that keeps those who are looking for
political victories in a constant state
of doubt and anxiety.
"The last general election was held
the success of the Republican party
in the national contest. In both
chambers of congress the Re-
publicans have a majority and they
have the president. Looking forward
to the legislation that ought to be
expected from that party we must re-
fer back to the platform upon which
the party was elected. In the extra
session recently closed tariff bill
was passed as was promised in the
upon the much dspuated question
whether that bill complied with the
bill promised, for I have considered
that at another time and at another
place. What I wish to invite your at
tention to this morning. is with the
tariff bill out of the way for the time
at least, what there Is for the Re
publican party in congress under the
promises of its platform to do in the
coming session.
The president then outlined briefly
his we'll known position with regard
to labor unions and dwelt upon the
necessity of passing at the earliest
possible moment legislation to carry
out platform pledges as to in
functions. He said also that he
would recommend that congress re-
quire the railroads to adopt addition
al safety devices to guard the lives
of their employees.
"But the legislation with respect to
the labor continued the president, 'is
not all the legislation that the Repub-
lican party is pledged to. Indeed, when
look forward to the next session and
realize how much thera is to be- consid-
cred, I tremble lest the session will not
be long enough, and that it will not be
POSSIBLE to do all that has been prom
lied.
Rate Bill Not a Success.
Mr.. Taft detailed tie passage of the
railway rate bill several years ago in
wcich the interstate commerce com
mission was given authority to fix speci-
fic rates, and continued:
THE rate bill has now been in op
Grafton some three wears and it must
be admitted that it has not furnished
the relief against unduly discriminatory
rates with the expedition and effective
ness which were expected.
THE Republican platform promised
additional legislation in aid OF enforc-
ng the interstate commerce law, and
have been engaged in the cons1dera-
congress in order 10 comply with that
2romise. Those who opposed the pro-
7.sion of which appeal from the order
# the commission might be taken to
he court did so because they thought
such right to appeal would Offal much |
to delay the proceedings.
IAN examination of the decisions OF
he commission and the resort to the
ourts by way of tempoi ary injuncuons, |
ully justify the conclusion that one of
hQ M nr6SQnf Interstate
ommerce law is the delay detailed by
IN the court over the correct /
less of the order of the commit sion.
Must Facilitate Appeals. !,
1.-THE court ofappeal can not be abolish
d because it is constitutional right.
something must be done to reduce its
fleet by way of delay so that the de-
ision of the court shall be prompt,
inal and effective.
'It is proposed now by a number of
gentlemen Of my cabinet, who have
conferred with some members of tho
Interstate commerce commission, to
facilitate these appeals from the COM
mission by the creation of separate
Interstate commerce court of five mem
0erS which shall sit in Washington and
which shall be the only court to which
petitions to set aside or nullify the or
lerS of the interstate commerce COM
can be; and 1t is proposed TO
allow single judge to make an order
staying the proceedings of the inter
state commerce commission but sixty
lays, and thereafter that no injunction
shall be allowed against the order of
he commission unless granted by the
whole court of five members.
''I know that objection will be made
% the creation of this court. In one of
he bills originally introduced such n
court was provided for bdt
he provision was defeated. A tariff
court has been provided in the new
ariff bill to consist of five members
whose Judgment shall be final on all
,uestions arising under the administra-
ion of the tariff. I am strongly in
,1ined to think that similar court. ex
,ept that an appeal ought to lie from
t to the supreme court, will serve the
purpose of expedition and the dispatch
If business in respect to the orders OF
he commission.
More Courts Needed.
'I know that there is well grounded
objection to increasing federal courts
ind to the provision for the appoint
nent of federal judges, whose terms
ind salaries last for life and who be-
.ome a permanent expenditure of the
government But there is this to be
aid, that if the establishment of such
court proves to be a mistake, the
Iemand for judges throughout the
country and their increase will furnish
IN opportunity to use the judges thus
appointed for other and general judicial
york. The uniformity of decisions and
he promptness of decision, which may
,e expected from a court whose ex-
,erience will soon make them exper1s
n the disposition of such cases, would
romise to the shipper and railroad
tigants quick decision as to their
lights.
"A second change in the interstate
ommerce law ought to give the COM
mission the power to hear and enter,
ain complaints against unjust classi-
cation of merchandise for transportA-
ion. 1t is perfectly clear that by in
luding articles in the same class which
ught to pay different rates, a railroad
an commit oYacflv the same kind IF