The Mena weekly star., 1913-12-04

have been put into operation in Err ope. and this commission is already prepared to report. It's report ought n make it easier fer us to determine what methods will be best suited to our own farmers. hope and believe that the committees of the senate anu house will address themselves to this matter with the most fruitful results. and I believe that the studies and re- gently formed plans of the depart ment of agriculture may be made 10 serve them very greatly in their work of framing appropriate and adequate legislation. It would be indiscree' and presumptuous in anyone to dog matize upon so great and many-sloeo a question, but I feel confident that common counsel will produce the re- suits we must all desire.
 Let Sherman Law Stand.
 Turn from the farm to the world o' business which centers in the city and in the factory, and I think that all thoughtful observers will agree tha' the immediate service we owe the business communities of the country is to prevent private monopoly more effectually than it has yet been pre-, vented. think it will be easily agreed that we should let the sherman anti trust law stand, unaltered, as 1t ls' with its debatable ground about H. but that we should as much as possl- ble reduce the area of that debataDle ground by further and more explicit legislation; and should also supple ment that great act by legislation which will not only clarify 1t but also facilitate its administration and make 1t fairer to all concerned. No douot we shall all wish, and the country VIII expect, this to be the central subject of our deliberations during the pres ent session; but 1t is a subject so many-sided and so deserving of care ful and discriminating discussion that I shall take the liberty of addressing you upon 1t in a special message at later date than this. It is of capital importance that the business men or this country should be relieved of all uncertainties of law with regard 10 their enterprises and investments and asclear path indicated which they can travel without anxiety. It Is as I'm portant that they should be relieved of embarrassment and set free to prosper as that private monopoly should be destroyed. The ways of sk xxyid
 turn to a subject which hope can be handled promptly and with out serious controversy of any kind. I mean the method of selecting nomi nees for the presidency of the United States. feel confident that ! do not misinterpret the wishes or the expectations of the country when urge the prompt enactment of legislation which will provide for primary elections through out the country at which the voters of the several parties may choose their nominees for the presidency without the intervention of nominating con ventions. I venture the suggestion that this lesislation should provide for tho retention of party conventions, but only for the purpose of declaring and accepting the verdict of the pri- maries and formulating the platforms of the parties; and I suggest that these conventions should consist not of delegates chosen for this single pur. pose, but of the nominees for con gress. the nominees for vacant seats in the senate of the United States. the senators whose terms have not yet closed. the national committees and the candidates for the presidency themselves. in order that platforms may be framed by those responsible to the people for carrying them into ef- feet.