The state herald., 1910-01-14

rate-m making. and other practices Of In
terstate carriers established by the acts
of congress, and as recommended In this
eommuniSau9n; see mo reason ssh,oo %hy
the act, specifying the classifcations of
freight and the rates. fares and charges
freight wbeh tRey may p asree to estab
lsh, should not be permitted. provided.
copies of such agreements be promptly
filed with the commission, but subject to
all the provisions OF the interstate COM
merce act, and subject to the right OF
any parties TO such agreement to cancel
fares charges or classifcations by 30
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 1905. the president
further recommends that the Interstate
commerce law be amended so as to pro-
vide. that no railroad company. subject
directly. acquire any interests of any
kind in capital stock. or purchase or
lease any railroad or any other corpora
ton which completes 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 OF Its
business governed by said act. Issue any
capital stock without previous or stimuli
taneous payment to 1t of, not less than
the par value of such stock, or any bonds
or other obligations Except notes matur-
date of their issue, without the previ-
Gus or simultaneous payment to such cor
poration of not less than the par value
of such bonds, or other obligations. or,
IL issued ut less than their par value.
then not without such payment of the
reasonable market value of such bonds
or obligations MS ascertained by the in
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 9TH
err obligation. except the fair value of
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 1t a 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 indivdu-
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.
I'm 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-
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 trainmen In the operation of trains.
the defects aud 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
production OF safety couplers. Is demon
stration of what can be done II railroads
N IL
planes. - A.. -.
lions 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 us
home office The right to bring the suit
under this act should be as easy OF en-
forccment as the right of private per-
son not in the company's employ TO sue
on an ordinary claim, and process In each
suit should be sufficiently served II upon
the station ngcnt OF the company upon
whom service IL authorized IL made, to
bond the company In ordinary actions
arising under state laws. Bills for both
the foregoing purposes have been con-
sidercd 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-
lengthy discussion OF trusts. good and
bad. and the success OF prosecutions I'M
der the Sherman antitrust act. Mr.. Taft
says:
at Is the duty and purpose of the exec
utivc to direct an investigntion by the de-
pIrtmcnt OF justice, through tho grand
| Jury or otherwise. into the history. organ
IzRtlon, aud purposes OF ali the Industrial
companies with respect to which there "
amy reasonable ground for suspicion that
they have been organized for purpose.
and are conducting business on IA plan
which vs. In violation OF the antitrust
law. The work is heavy one, but II
Is not beyond the power OF the depart
ment OF Justice. IL sufficient funds are
furnished, TO carry ON the Investigations
and 10 pay the counsel engaged In tho
work, hut such an Investigation and
possible prosecution Of corporations whose
| prosperity or destruction Affects the COM
fort not only Of stockholders but millions
Of wage carners, employees, and associated
| trudesmon must necessarily tend To dis
turb the confidence OF the business COM
| munity. 10 dry w the now flowing sources
of capital from It's places OF boarding and
| produce halt In our present prosperity
| that Will cause suffering ana strained ctr
| cumstnnces among the Innocent many for
faults OF the guilty few. The question
which wish In this message 10 bring
clearly 20 the consideration and decision
| OF the congress whether 10 avoid business
| danger something cannot he done by
which these business combinations may
| be offered a means. without great nnan-
| cinl disturbance, OF changing the char
| ncter, organization aud extent OF their
| business into one within the lines NJ tho
law under federal control and supervision.
securing compliance with the antitrust
statutes,
For Government Control.
''Gcncfnily. In the industrial comblnn-
| lions called trusts the principal bust
| ness N the sale OF goods In many states
and IN foreign markets: IN other words
| tile interstate and foreign business far
exceeds tile business done IN any on.
state. THIS fact will Justify the fed
| crnl government In granting federal
| charter 10 such n combination 10 make
| and sell In interstate and foreign COM
nprce tho products OF useful mnnufac-
iuro under such limitations NJ will Sc
cure compliance with the antitrust
! law " u possible Ho 10 frame a statute
| that while II offers protection 90 fed-
cfni company against harmful, vnNntinus
| ana unnecessary Invasion by the states.
! II shall subject Il 60 reasonable taxation
d ana control by the states, with respect 10
/ it- purely local business.
MANY people conducting great bust.
/ nosHra have cherished hope and be-
lief that In some way or other line
may be- drawn between good trusts aud
bud trusts and that II II possible BY
| amendment 90 the nntistruHt law 20 make
Il "a