The Montgomery tribune., 1910-01-14

| terstate carriers established by the acts
| OK. congress-, and as srscefnmended I'm tni.
| communlcatonc,I see no .reasop, ,g.why
| agreements between carriers subject &c
| the act, specifying the ciassifcations OF
for, transportation OF passengers and
| freight which they may agree to- estah-
lish; should not be permitted, provided
copies of such agreements Abe rpfomptiy
| filed with the commissiop,. but subject to
All the provisions OF the Interstate dom-
msfce act and subject to the right OF
fsres, charges. OF classihcatio1s by 81
days notice in writing to the other par
n Other Arfiendments Urged. -
In accord with other declarations Of the
Republican platform of 1908, the president
further recommends 'that The Interstate
Sda tSa nw nU ss ros S Ss &
directly, ACQUIRE 'dny Interests t''s Of p any my!
esse anv an anS
ton which competes with 1t respecting
business to which the interstate COM
n, merce "a, act applies; that law be enact
ton subject to the interstate commerce
act shall hereafter for any purpose con-
hesfed with or relating t to any part OF Its
capital stock without previous or stimuli
taneous payment to 1t of not less than
ing not more than one year from the
date of their issue), without the previ-
poration of not less than the par value
of such bonds, or other obligations, or,
II issued at less than their par value,
then not without such payment Of the
or obligations as ascertained by the in
terstate commerce commissions; and that
r no property; service, or other thing than
carrier corporation, of the par or other
required price of such stock, bond or 9TH
er obligation. except the fair value of
such property. services or other thing as
certained by the commission"
Would Prevent Wrong Practices.
The president continues:
II believe these suggested notifications
in and amendments to the interstate COM
merce act would make 1t complete and
effective measure for securing reasonable
ness of rates and fairness of practices in
the operation of interstate railroad lines,
without undue preference to any individu-
al or class over any others.
BY my direction the attorney general
mas mas drafted bill to carry, out these
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 a hear
ing, TO determine upon the uniform con-
structton of these appliances-such as sill
steps, ladders, roof hand holds, running
boards and hand brakes on freight cars
engaged in interstate commerce-used by
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
ing accidents, due to. the enforced in
PRODUCTION of safety couplers, is a demon
stration of what can be done IL railroads
are compelled to adopt proper safety ap-
pliances.
THE question has arisen in the opera
tons OF the interstate commerce employ
ers' liability act, as to whether suit can
be brought against the employer COM
Pany IN many any place other than that of its
home office. The right to bring the suit
under this act should be as easy of en-
forcement as 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
arising under state laws. Bills for both
the foregoing purposes have been con-
sidered by the house of representatives
and have been passed, and are now be-
fore the interstate commerce committee
OF the senate. 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 a
lengthy discussion of trusts, good and
bad, and the success of prosecutions un-
der the Sherman antitrust act, Mr. Taft
says:
utive to direct an investigation by the de-
partment of justice, through the grand
jury or otherwise, into the history, organ
lzation. and purposes of all the industrial
companies with respect to which there is
any reasonable ground for suspicion that
they have been organized for purpose,
which is in violation of the antitrust
law. The work is a heavy one, but it
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
or destruction affects the COM
fort not only of stockholders but millions
or wage earners, employees, and associated
must necessarily tend to dis
-urb the confidence of the business com
nunity, to dry up the now flowing sources |
Of capital from its places of boarding, and |
hat will cause suffering and strained cir
among the innocent many for |
,aults of the guilty. few. The question |
which / wish in this message to bring |
clearly to the consideration and decision |
IF the congress whether to avoid business |
hanger something cannot be done by |
De offered a means. without great finan- |
,ial disturbance. of changing the char |
icter, organization and extent of their |
business into one within the lines of the |
aw under federal control and supervision, |
securing compliance with the antitrust |
statutes. |
For Government Control.
Generally, in the industrial combina- 4
ions called trusts, the principal busi- |
less is the sale of goods in many states |
md in foreign markets.; in other words |
he interstate and foreign business far |
exceeds the business done in any one |
state. This fact will justify the fed |
,ral government in granting a federal |
charter to such a combination to make
md sell in interstate and foreign COM
nerce the products of useful manufac-
ure under such limitations as will Sc
'ure compliance with the antitrust |
aw. 1t is possible so to frame a statute
hat while 1t offers protection to a fed
raj company against harmful, vexatious |
md unnecessary invasion by the states, !
shall subject it 20 reasonable taxation |
Ind control by the states with respect to
is purely local business.
Many people conducting great busi-
lesses have cherished a hope and a be-
ief that in some way or other a line
nay be drawn between good trusts and
bad trusts, and that 1t is possible by |
amendment to the antitrust law to make
distinction under which good combina-
ions may be permitted to organize sup