The Columbus journal., 1910-01-12

L I
freight and the rates. fares and charge
for transportation Of passengers an
freight which they may agree to estat
lish. should not be permitted. provides
filed with the commission, but subject I
all the provisions of the interstate com
merce act. and subject to the right G
any parties to such agreement TO canoe
fares. charges. or classifications by
days notice in writing to the other pal
ties and to the commission"
Other Amendments Urged.
In accord with other declarations Of tn
Republican platform Of 1S0e. the presiden
further recommends that the interstat
commerce law be amended so as to pro
vide, that no railroad company, subjec
70 the commerce act snali. Directly or IN
directly. acquire any interests OF an
kind in capital stock, or purchase
lease any railroad, or any other corpora
ton which completes with it respecting
business to which the interstate com
merce act applies: that law be enact
ton subject to the interstate commerce
act shall hereafter for any purpose con
nected with or relating to any part OF 1t
business governed by said act, issue an.
capital stock without previous or stimuli
taneous payment to IL of not less thar
the par value Of such stock, or any bonds
or other obligations except notes matur
ing not more than one year from tn
date Of their issuey. without the previ
Gus or Simulta neous payment 10 such 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 tbs
reasonable market value Of such bond.
or obligations as ascertained by the in
terstate commerce commission: and thai
no property. service. or other thing thar
money. shall be taken in payment to such
carrier corporation. of the par or other
required price Of such stock: bond or 9th.
such property. services or other thing as
certained by the commission"
Would Prevent Wrong Practices.
The president continues:
Il believe these suggested notifications
in and amendments to the interstate COM
merce act would make il complete and
effective measure for securing reasona BILE
the operation OF interstate railroad lines,
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 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
ling 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-
planes.
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 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 private per-
80 son not tit IN the comp G,ompanys employ to sue
suit should be sufficiently served II 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
the foregoing purposes have been con-
sidered by the house OF representatives
and have been passed, and are now be
lore the interstate commerce committee
# the senate. l earnestly urge that they
Dc enacted into law
Control of the Trusts.
The second part of the message is de-
;oted to the control of trusts After a
engthy discussion of trusts. good and
Dad. and the success OF prosecutions I'M
Ter the Sherman antitrust act, Mr.. Taft
'ays:
1T is the duty and purpose OF the exec
itive to direct an investigation by the de-
,artment of justice. through the grand
ury or otherwise. into the history, organ
cation. and purposes Of all the industrial
companies with respect TO which there is
my reasonable ground for suspicion that
hey have been organized for a purpose
"A m N lar "
which is in violation of the antitrust
aw. The work is heavy one, but il
> not beyond the power of the depart
nent of justice, IL sufficient funds are
to carry on the investigations
nd to pay the counsel engaged in the
york. But such AN investigation and
ossible prosecution Of corporations whose
or destruction affects the COM
ort not only Of stockholders but millions
( wage earners, employees, and associated
radesmen must necessarily tend to dis
lunity. to dry up the now flowing sources
I capital from its places of boarding, and
reduce a halt in our present prosperity
hat will cause suffering and strained cir
aults Of the guilty few. The question
Ihich ! wish in this message to bring
learly to the consideration and decision
the congress whether to avoid business
anger something cannot be done by
hitch these business combinations may
e offered = means. without great finan- |
Ial disturbance. Of changing the char |
cter. organization and extent Of their |
usiness into one within the lines Of the |
w under federal control and supervision. |
ncuring compliance with the antitrust |
tatuteS.
For Government Control.
Generally. in the industrial combina-
ons called trusts the principal bust !
ess is the sale of goods in many states |
nd in foreign markets: in other words, 1
lie Interstate and foreign business far
tceeds the business done in any one
ate. This fact will justify the fed
al government in granting a federal |
larter to such a combination to make
nd sell in interstate and foreign COM
ire under such limitations as will Sc
Ire a compliance with the antitrust
w. 1t is possible SO to frame a statute
lat while 1t offers protection to fed
nd unnecessary invasion by the states.
shall subject 1t to reasonable taxation
nd control by the states. with respect to
5 purely local business.
Many people constructing great bust |
esses have cherished a hope and a be-
# that In some way or other line
ay be drawn between good trusts and
ad trusts and that II is possible by |
nendment to the antitrust law to make
distinction under which good combna-
Dts may be permitted to organize. sup
ess competition control prices. and do
all legally II only they do not abuse
e power by taking too great profit out
the business They point with force to
rtain notorious trusts as having grown 1
to power through criminal methods by
e use Of illegal rebates and plain cheat
&. and by various acts utterly violative
business honesty or morality. and urge |
g establishment of some legal line of
paration by which criminal trusts of |
is kind can be punished. and they on !
q other hand. be permitted under the
" to carry on their business. Now. |
@ public. and especially the business
bile. ought to rid themselves of the |
ga that such a distinction is practic-