The Carlisle independent., 1910-01-13

rate-making, and other practices Of in- terstate carriers established by the acts of congress, and as recommended in this communication, l see no reason why agreements between carriers subject to the act, specifying the classifications or freight and the rates, fares and charges for transportation of passengers ana freight which they may agree to eStab- fish. should not be permitted, provided, copies of such agreements be promptly filed with the commission, but subject to all the provisions of the interstate con- merce act. and subject to the right of any parties to such agreement to cancer it as to all or any of the agreed rates; fares, charges, or classifieations by 50 days notice in writing to the other par ties and to the commission.
 Other Amendments Urged.
 In accord with other declarations of the Republican platform of 1908, the president further recommends that the interstate commerce law be amended so as to pro vide, that no railroad company subject to the commerce act shall directly or ln- directly, acquire any interests or any kind in capital stock. or purchase or lease any railroad, or any other corpora tion which competes with 1t respecting business to which the interstate com merce act applies; that law be enact ed providing that no railroad corpora ton subject to the interstate commerce act shall hereafter for any purpose con nected with or relating to any part or US business governed by said act, issue any capital stock without previous or simul- taneous payment to 1t of not less than
 
 or other obligations (eXcept notes matur- ing not more than one year from the date of their issue1. without the previ- ouS or simultaneous payment to Sucn cor poration of not less than the par value of such bonds, or other obligations, or. if issued at less than their par value, then not without such payment of the reasonable market value of such bonds or obligations as ascertained by the ln- terstate commerce commission; and that no property. service, or other thing than money. shall be taken in payment to such carrier corporation, of the par or other required price of such stock. bond or oth- such property, services or other thing as- certained by the commission
 Would Prevent Wrong Practices.
 The president continues:
 q believe these suggested notifications in and amendments to the interstate com merce act would make it complete and effective measure for securing reasonable ness of rates and fairness of practices in without undue preference to any individu- al or class over any others. By my direction the attorney general has drafted bill to carry. out these | recommendations, which will be fur nished upon request to the appropriate | committee whenever it may be desired. "In addition to the foregoing amend ments of the interstate commerce law. the interstate commerce commission should be given the power, after hear ing, to determine upon the uniform con struction of these appiances-such as sill steps, ladders, roof hand holds running boards and hand brakes on freight cars engaged in interstate commerce-uscd by the trainmen in the operation of trains, the defects and lack of uniformity in which are apt to produce accidents and injuries to railway trainmen. The won derful reforms effected in the number of switchmen and trainmen injured by coup ling accidents due to the enforced in- troduetion of safety couplers, is a demon stration of what can be done if railroads are compelled to adopt proper safety ap- plianees
 tions of the interstate commerce employ CTS liability act, to whether suit can be brought against the employer com pany in any place other than that of it's home office. The right to bring the suit under this act should be as easy of en- forcement the right of a private per son not in the company's employ to sue on an ordinary claim, and process in each suit should be sufficiently served if upon the station agent of the company upon whom service is authorized is made. to bond the company in ordinary actions arising under state laws: Bills for both sidered by the house of representatives and have been passed, and are now be- fore the interstate commerce committee of the senate. l earnestly urge that they be enacted into law"
 Control of the Trusts.
 The second part of the message is de- voted to the control of trusts. After lengthy discussion of trusts, good and bad. and the success or prosecutions ufl- der the Sherman antitrust act, MT. Taft says
 Tt is the outy and purpose of the exec utive to direct an investigation by the de- partment of justice, through the grand jury or otherwise, into the history organ ization, and purposes of all the industrial companies with respect to which there is any reasonable ground for suspicion that they have been organized for a purpose, and are conducting business on q plan which is in violation of the antitrust law. The work is heavy one, but 1t is not beyond the power of the depart ment of justice, if sufficient funds are furnished. to carry on the investigations and to pay the counsel engaged in the work. But such an investigation and possible prosecution of corporations whose prosperity or destruction affects the com fort not only of stockholders but millions of wage earners, employees. and associated tradesmen must necessarily tend to dis- turb the confidence of the business com munity, to dry up the now flowing sources of capital from its places of hoarding, and produce halt in our present prosperity that will cause suffering and strained cir cumstances among the innocent many for faults of the guilty few. The question which l wish in this message to bring clearly to the consideration and decision of the congress whether to avoid business danger something cannot be done by which these business combinations may be offered a means, without great finan- cial disturbance, of changing the char acter. organization and extent of their business into one within the lines of the law under federal control and supervision. securing compliance with the antitrust statutes
 For Government Control.
 Generally, in the industrial combina- tions called trusts, the principal busi- ness is the sale of goods in many states and in foreign markets: in other words, the interstate and foreign business far exceeds the business done in any one state. This fact will justify the fed eral government in granting federal charter to such a combination to make and sell in interstate and foreign com merce the products of useful manufac- ture under such limitations as will se- cure a compliance with the antitrust law. It is possible so to frame a statute that while it offers protection to a fed eral company against harmful, veXatious and unnecessary invasion by the states, it shall subject it to reasonable taxation i and control by the states. with respect to it's purely local business.
 Many people conducting great busi- resses have cherished hope and be- lief that in some way or other line may be drawn between good trusts and bad trusts and that it is possible by amendment to the antitrust law to make distinction under which good combina- tions may be permitted to organize, sup press competition. control prices. and do 1t all legally if only they do not abuse fl1 h.~ oIyfr At rt