Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-03-06
'TAFT'S
INAUGURAL
ADDRESS
Outlines Policy Of
Administration.
PRAISE FOR ROOSEVELT
Speech Begins With Advocacy
Of Predecessors Reforms.
MANY QUESTIONS TOUCHED.
incoming Presidents Ideas on
Trusts and Other Matters.
PRAISE FOR ROOSEVELT
MANY QUESTIONS TOUCHED.
incoming Presidents Ideas on
Trusts and Other Matters.

My Fellow Citizens Any one who
cakes the oath have just taken must
feel heavy weight OF responsibility.
II not, he has no conception of the
powers aud duties of the office upon
which he is about to enter or he is
lacking in IA proper sense of the obliga-
ton which the oath imposes.
The office of an inaugural address Is
20 give summary outline of the main
policies of the new administration so
far as they can be anticipated. ! have
had the honor to be one Of the ad-
risers of my distinguished predecessor
and as such to hold up his hands in
the reforms he has Initiated | should
nc untrue to myself, to my promises
ana TO the declarations Of the party
platform upon which was elected to
Office II | did not make the mainte
nance and enforcement of those re.
forms most important feature of my
ADMINISTRATION They were directed to
the suppression Of the lawiessness and
NSEses Of power Of the great combina-
siops - capital invested in railroads
ana II inGsstrial enterprises carrying
81 interstate e~.nmcree. The steps
which my predeee sG~lr took and the
legislation passed ON his icSQmmenaa
sion have accomplished much. haFa
caused general halt IN the vicious
policies Nlleh created ncpular alarm
and have brought about In the bust
aess adected q much higher regard for
xistiug law
Further Action Needed.
No render the reforms lasting, how
eaSer, and to secure at the same time
Freedom from alarm on the part of
those pursuing proper and progressive
business methods further legislative
and executive action are needed. Re-
gief of the railroads from certain re-
strictions of the antitrust law have
been urged by my predecessor and will
be urged by me. On the other hand
she administration Is pledged to leSiss
aation looking TO a proper federal SUI
pervision and restriction TO prevent ex.
cessive issues of bonds and stocks by
companies owning and operating lnters
state commerce railroads
Then, too, a reorganization Of the DEF
partment of justice, of the bureau or
corporations I'm the department of com-
anerce and labor and of the Interstate
commerce commission looking to etfecs
t8ive cooperation of these agencies -
needed to secure more rapid and cer4
8ain enforcement of the laws Affect
ang interstate railroads and industriaI
combinations.
| hope to be able to submit at the
First regular session of the incoming
scongxess in December next definite
suggestions in respect 10 the needed
amendments TO the antitrust and the
EYnterstate commerce law and the
schanges required in the executive de-
yartments concerned in their enforce
nent
Good and Bad Trusts"
It is believed that with the changes
20 be recommended American bust
4 ness can be assured Of that measure of
xfablity aud certainty in respect to
shse things That may be done and
sase That are prohibited. which is
yasaal tl DE lie and growth Of
&n hiss ness such plan must include
he right OF the people to avail them
selves of those methods Of combining
capital and effort deemed necessary g
reach tie HIGHEST degree Of economic
1eiciencS. M the same time differenti
aEing between combinations based
slpon legitimate economic reasons and
chose formed with the intent Of Great
sing monopoles and artl6ciany control
ing prices
The work OF formulating into prac
42caI shape such changes is creative
Svork Of the highest order aud requires
ali the deliberation possible in the IN
asrval. / believe that the amendment
60 be proposed are just as necessary II
sGase protection Of legitimate business al
IN the clinching OF the reforms whiel
syroperly bear the name OF my prede
a5essor
Revision Of the Tariff.
a matter Of most pressing impoT
fance Is the revision Of the tariff. j.
accordance with the promises Of tn
Spgatform upon which ! was elected.
s1szbaIl cain congress into extra session