The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1910-01-20


tcfstatc carriers established by the acts
Of congress-, and as recommended in this
seonmnnieati9n, ! sec =? reason why
nfretinenu between t-rficrs subject 10
ne nct specifying the clasainctltiona of
freight and the rates, fares and charges
,or m,ansp2rtaiion Of passengers and
lish should not be permitted provided
copies o. such agreements be promptly
n,,d with the commission, but subject 10
Az the provisions 81 the Interstate com
merce act, and suhject 20 the right %
any parties 20 such agreement TO cancel
as to All or any Of the agreed rates,
Gays notice IN writing 90 the other par
Ties and to the commission"
other Amendments Urged.
In accord with other declarations ~ the
Republican platform Of 1908. the president
further recommends that the Interstate
commerce law be amended 80 ~ 60 pro-
vide, that no railroad company subject
20 the commorce act shall, directly or In
directy. acquire any Interests % any
Kind In capital stock, or purchase OF
lease any railroad. or any other corpora
ION which completes with Il respecting
merce act applies. that a law be enact
~ providing that no railroad corpora
ton subject 90 tho Interstate commerce
act shall hereafter for any purpose con-
necied with or relating 90 any part Of It's
business governed by said act, issue any
capital stock without previous or stimuli
taneous payment 10 u OF not less than
the par value ~ such stock. or any bonds
or other obligations Except notes matur-
ing not more than ono year from the
Gus o. simultaneous payment 90 such cor
poration % not less than the par value
~ such bonds. or other obligations. or,
N 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 In.
terstate commerce commission; and that
no property, service. or other thing than
money. shall he taken IN payment 20 such
carrier corporation. 81 the par or other
required price OF such stock, bond or 9TH
or obligation. except the fair value OF
such property. services or other thing as
ceriained nv the commission"
Would Prevent Wrong Practices.
The president continues.
Il believe these suggested notifications
In and amcndWeniA 20 the Interstate com
uerce act Would make 10 a complete and
effective measure for securing reasonable
ness OF rates and fairness OF practices IN
the operation % Interstate railroad lines.
without undue preference 20 any inditidu-
al OF class over any others.
by my direction the attorney general
has drafted bill 20 carry out these
recommendations, which viii be fur
nihhed upon request to the appropriate
committee whenever 1t may be desired
ments Of the Interstate commerce law.
the Interstate commerce commission
should be given the power. after hear
ing, 60 determine upon the uniform con-
struction OF these hppnances-su as sill
steps, ladders roof hand holds running
boards and hand brakes on freight cars
engaged In Interstate commerce-used by
the tralnmen In the operation OF trains.
the defects and lack OF uniformity in
which are apt 10 produce accidents and
Injuries 10 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. IL A demon
stration % what can be done II railroads
are compelled TO adept proper safety ap-
The question has arisen In the opera
lions Of the Interstate commerce employ
ers liability act, aA 20 whether suit can
be brought against the employer com
pany in any place other than that OF its
home once. The right 20 bring the suit
under this act should be as easy OF en-
foroement a. the right % private per
son not In the Companys employ 90 SUE
on an ordinary claim. and process In each
suit should be sufficiently served II upon
the station agent Of the company upon
whom service IN authorized IL made, to
bond the company In ordinary actions
arising under state laws. Bills for both
the foregoing purposes hays been con-
and have been passed and are now be-
lore the Interstate commerce committees
Of the senate. 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 un-
der the sherman antitrust act. Mr.. TAFT
IN 10 the duty and purpose OF the exec
ulive 20 direct AN investigation by the de-
partment OF justice. through the grand
Jury or Otherwise. Into the history. organ
lzaiion. and purposes OF all the Industrial
companies with respect TO which there Is
any reasonable ground for suspicion that
they have been organized for n purpose.
and are conducting business on a plan
which "a In violation of the antitrust
law The work Il a heavy one. but IL
f. not beyond the power OF the depart
mcnt OF Justice. N sufficient funds are
furnished. to carry on the investigations
and 20 pay the counsel engaged IN the
work. hut such an investigation and
possible prosecution OF corporations whose
prosperity or destruction Affects the COM
fort not only OF stockholders but million.
Of wage earners. employees, and associated
tradcsnen must necessarily tend 10 dis
turb the confidence OF the business COM
munity. 20 dry up the now flowing sources
% capital from Its places Of boarding. and
produce a halt Ia our present prosperity
that will cause suffering and strained cir
cumstnnces among the Innocent many for
which ! wish In this message TO bring
clearly 20 the consideration and decision
Of the congress whether Co avoid business
which these business combinations may
be offered a means. without great imam
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 comblna-
lions called trusts the principal husi-
ness IA 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 20 such n combination 10 make
and sell IN interstate and foreign COM
merce the products Of useful manufac-
ture under such llmitationf as will Sc
cure n compliance with the antitrust
law n IN possible 80 TO frame a statute
that while n offers protection 20 a fed
erai company against harmful, veNatious
and unnecessary invasion by the states.
a shall subject II TO reasonable taxation
and control by the states, with respect to
n. purely local business.
Many people conducting great bust
nesses have cherished a hope and a be-
lief that IN some way or other q line
may be drawn between good trusts and
had trusts and that II Il possible by
amendment 10 the antitrust law 10 make
a distinction under which good combina-
tions may be permitted to organize. sup
press competition. control prices, and do
II all legally n only they do not abuse