The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-07

act is passed. dt iedot Hdii Iho SoPA'"AA
stock of competitor, acquire the
rest of it.
Right for Shipper.
Give the shipper the right to select a
through route.
Empower the commerce commission
to investigate new rates on their an
nouncement, instead of after they go
into effect.
Empower the commission to investi-
gate on it's own initiative any rate or
condition, and to pass on classified
ton of commodities for fixing rates.
Compel carriers to quote rates in
writing to shippers on request, with
$50 fine as penalty for damage to the
shipper, the fine to go to the govern
ment.
Give the commission the right to
compel uniform construction of car
appliances, to safeguard employees.
Make the interstate commerce enl-
ployers' liability act open to easy en-
forcement, instead of only at the home
of the defendant.
AS TO 6ao IruStS.
In leading up to his recommends
tions for a federal corporation charter
the president, who elsewhere refers to
certain notorious trusts" says:
'It is the duty and the purpose of the
executive to direct an investigation by
the department Of justice through the
grand jury or otherwise into the his
tory of organization and purposes OF
all the industrial companies with re-
spect to which there is any reasonable
ground for suspicion that they nave
been organized for a purpose, and are
conducting business on plan 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 arc
furnished, to carry on the investiga.
tion and to pay the counsel engaged
in the work.
Halt to Prosperity.
But such an investigation and DOS
sible prosecution of corporations whose
prosperity or destruction affects; the
comfort not only Of stockholders. but
of millions of wage -earners, employees
and associated tradesnen must neces-
sarily lead to disturb the confidence of
the business community. to dry up the
now flowing sources Of capital from
the places of boarding, and produce
halt in our present prosp,: 'ltv that
will cause suffering and strained cir
cumstances among the innocent for
the faults of the guilty few.
"The question which l wish in this
message to bring c,car!J to the con
s;d.ration and disr 'ssiOh of coEvrcss
s w'.elh., in order to avoid such 4
possible business danger something
can not be done by which these bust
ness combinations may be offered 4
means without grea. financial disturb
ance of changing the character, orsani-
zatiOn and extent of their business iT-
to one With the lines of thc law IN
der federal control and supervision. Sc
curing compliance with the antitrust
statute
May Facilitate Change.
After outlining the proposed lesisla-
ton he continues:
I'm dealing with many of the men
who have used the methods condemn
ed ~ the statute for the purpose of
ncinta!ning profitable business We
tla? we'll facilitate (. Lnal:: in them
il the method of doinS business and
enable them to bring it back into the
zore of lawfulness without losing to
thc country the eco ionl:' Of maLace-
'n.nt by which our domestic trade eos;
Of production has ro", materially les
sa:ied and in competition with foreign
manufacturers our foreign trade has
been greatly increased
The plan of federal compulsory IL
cense instead of optional charter.
which has been urged the message de-
clareS unnecessary.
Plans for a Court.
The president calls Cor the appoint
ment of five additional circuit judges.
to provide for members of commerc ce
court. whose salary will be $4,000.
The chief justice is given the power.
according to the accommodation. to
designate the commerce back % the
circuit courts when their services ar,
not needed
The regular session Of the proposed
court should be held at the capital.
says the message. but elsewhe g If de-
sirable under the circumstances.
The commerce courts dcc'sions vii.
be renewable only by the supreme
court and the message says:
'The commerce court shall be en-
powered in its discretion to rest, ain or
suspend the operation of an order of
the interstate commerce commission
under review. pending the final hear
ing. A Judge of that court might be
empowered to allow a stay of the COM
missions order for a period of not
more than sixty days"
Refers to Platform.
In the message, which covers nlne
thousand words, there are several ref
erences to the republican platform Of
1908. notably in regard to the plat
forms pledge to do away with the wat
ering of stocks.