The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1909-03-11
Ny Fellow Citizens:

has no conception of the powers and
duties of the Office upon which he is
about to enter, or he is lacking in
proper sense Of the obligation which
the oath imposes.
L should be untrue to myself,
to my promises and to the declara-
tons of the party platform upon
which l was elected TO Office, and
to may distinguished predecessor
whose reforms are conspicuous if
did not make the maintenance and en-
forcement of those reforms most
important feature of my administra-
tlon. They were directed to the sup
preston Of the lawlessness and
abuses of power of the great COM
binations of capital invested in rail-
roads and in industrial enterprises
carrying on interstate commerce. The
steps which my predecessor took and
the legislation passed on his recon-
mendation have accomplished much,
have caused q general halt in the
VICIOUS policies which created pop
ular alarm, and have brought about
IN the business affected. a much high
er regard for existing law.
10 render the reforms lasting,
:owever and to secure at the same
time freedom from alarm on the part
OF those pursuing proper and pro-
gressive business methods, further
legislative and executive action are
needed. Relief of the railroads from
certain restrictions of the antitrust
law have been urged bv my predeces-
sor and will be urged by me. On
the other hand, the administration is
pledged to legislation looking to a
proper federal supervision and re-
s.nction to prevent excessive issues
OF bonds and stocks By companies
owning and operating interstate com
merce railroads.
Then, too, reorganization of the
department of Justice. of the Bu
reau OF Corporations in the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor and
or the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion looking to effective cooperation
OF these agencies, is needed to secure
more rapid and certain enforce
ment of the laws affecting interstate
railroads and industrial combina-
tons.
l hope to be able to submit. at the
nrst regular session of the incoming
congress, In December next. definite
suggestions il respect to the needed
amendments to the antitrust and the
interstate commerce law. and the
chI required in the executive de-
partments concerned in their enforce
mcnt.
Such plans must be formulated as
7ill include the right of the pccple to
aVaii themselves of those metho6T Of
combining capital and effort deemed
necessary to reach the highest de-
gree OF economic efficiency, at the
same time differentiating between
combinations based upon legitimate
economic reasons and those formed
with the intent Of creating monopo
Ties and artifieially controlling prices.
-. The work of formulating into prac
'tcal shape such changes in creative
work of the highest order. re-
quires all the deliberation possible
In the interval. I believe that the
amendments to be proposed are inst
as necessary in the protection of
legitimate business as in the clineh-
ing OF the reforms which properly
Dear the name Of my predecessor.
Revision of the Tariff.
A matter of mos. pressing impor-
tance is the revision of the tariff In
accordance with the promise of the
platform upon which l was elected.
shall call Congress into extra ses-
SION, to meet on the 18th day of
march, In order that consideration
may be at once given to q bill re-
Vising the Dingley Act. This should
secure an adequate revenue and ad-
just the duties in such a manner as
70 aHord to labor and to all indus
ines In this country, whether of the
tarm, mine or factory, protection by
tariff equal to the difference between
the cost Of production abroad and
the cost of production here. and have
provision which shall put in force
upon executive determination of Ger
tam facts. n higher or maximum
tanf against those countries whose
trade policy toward us eauitably re-
CURES such discrimination. II ;s
shought that the tariff above stated
Will permit the reduction of rates in
sertain schedules and will require the
advancement Of few, if any.
IL IS imparatively necessary that a
tariff bill be drawn in good faith in
sccordance with promises made be-
tore the election by party in power.
and as promptly passed as due consid-
sration will permit, II is not that the
tann Is more important in the long
sun than the perfecting Of the re.