The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-20

or our constitution of peace, that
peace that is honor and freedom and
prosperity"
READING THE MESSAGE
Republican Leader Mann Led the APP
plause 1t One Point.
Washington, Jan. 20.-President
Wilson left the White House at 1910
O'Clock to deliver his message ON trust
legislation to q 10int session OF con-
gress. Both the house and senate met
at. noon and recessed while the sena-
tors two by two ffled over to the
dress about 1885; clock. House gal
leries were pack9d. Mrs Wilson and
others OF the preeident's family occu-
pied places, while the diplomatic corps
was well represented and the door
was crowded. with various govern
ment ofIicia1
Joint cuannittee met the presi-
dent in Speaker Clarlx's office to con-
duct him to the .sostrum. The presi-
dent arrived sAt the capitol at 1925
O'Clock. Botk houses were assembled
and waiting TOR his appearances
The president was ushered into the
crowded chafnber at. 1929 p. m.
while the audiences rose and gave him
prolonged applause and cheers. The
desk and began reading promptly at
H. 80 o scFock. His auditors gave rapt
attention. The scene was a colorful
one and mo- less dramatic than that
on any of the previous occasions.
when the president, setting aside prec-
edent that had prevailed since George
Washington's tinDe,. came to the nails
of congress to address the national
executive body "a person.
HAN II Packed
The high banked galleries present.
ed q wave of color. On the floor the
legislators in sombre conventional
garb, packed the hall to its utmost
corners. Secretaries Garrison. Dam
iels and Wilson and Postmaster Gen.
eral Burleson had seats on the floor
and other officials were clustered
about the speakers dais. Hundreds
of people strained for a glimpse Of
the president and were unable to Sc
cure admission. They packed the
halls Of the capitol
The round af applause that began
when the president entered was only
stilled by Mr.. Wilson'S evident desire
to proceed with his reading. AS the
president read his message of business.
peace and Industrial freedom, as adj
ministration supporters called 1T, he
frequently was Interrupted with long
applause. His reference to interlocking
directorates was received without dem
onstrat1on but when he referred to the
proposal to authorize the interstate
commerce commission to regulate the
financial operators of the railroads a
burst Of applause halted the reading
and the president had to wait for it to
subside.
Mann Leads Applause.
His declarations that the laws should
tear nothing up by the roots" and
that mo sweeping or novel change is
tive silence. Republican Leader James
r.. Mann led the applause that greeted
the declaration for giving the interstate
commerce commission power to regu-
late finances. Another round of ap-
plause followed the presidents state
ment as to railroad control with it's
declaration that the business OF pro-
duction must be separated from the
business Of transportation. The dec
laration for an Interstate trade COM
mission was received in silence and ap-
plause greeted the statement that PEN
alties and punishments should fall not
upon business itself fut upon the in
div:duals who use the instrumentalities
of business to do those things which
public policy and sound business prac-
tice condemn.
Loud applause greeted the conclusion
of the presidents address at 1851
o'clock. AS he left the chamber Ma
jority Leader Underwood greeted him
with a handclasp and on his way out
the president was delayed by many
who sought to shake his hand.
MurdOck Says It's Inadequate.
IT'S a very. very fine message-that
tells the whole story. How can one
ment on the presidents message. The
presidents plan is inadequate" de-
clared Representative Murdock of
Kansas. leader of the house progress
sives. Like all inadequate plans. it
will render the trust evil more acute.
well-intentioned. but 80 long az there
are reactionary forces in his party he
cannot get results in this problem
'As always, the president speaks
tersely and with clarity" said Vice
President Marshall. while it recon-
couched in conservative termA."
Representative Underwood. Demo-
crat leader of the house, said:
The presidents message points the
way to progressive remedial legisla-
ton that will relieve the people Of the
United states from evil practices that
have sometimes been carried on In the
past. and at the same time the tone Of
the message il such that 1t leaves no
cause for alarm by the legitimate busi-
ness interests Of the country"
Representative Mann, Republican
leader of the house characterized the
presidents message an the strongest
nationalistic message ever sent to con-
greas- He said:
'.Of course. am very much pleased
with 30 much Of the presidents mes
sage an relates to the issuance Of stocks
and bonds by railroads. Other propo-
sitions Of the president will require
careful consideration, but his message
goes very Tar toward favorfng the
powers OF the general government al
the expense Of the state government
and II the strongest nationalistic mes-
sage ever sent to congress. It viii b
q bitter pill to our southern states
rights friends, who have for years COM
sistently opposed every proposition IA
vored in the measure but hope the