Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1914-02-06
Washington letter.

person was easily the most interest
ing event in Washington during the
week. From early in the day the
galleries Of the House had filled up
with hundreds anxious to hear the
much heralded message. Admission
was "by ticket only" and many were
turned away to crowd the corridors
10 the hope Of catching glimpse OF
the President as he read his address.
The message which was generally
commended by Democrats, Republic
cans and Progressives, was accepted
as an assurance that conservatism
is to be the watch-word Of the ad-
ministration. Republicans are ready
to cooperate with the Democratic
members Of both barnches OF Con-
sress towards bringing about legis.
lation along the lines suggested by
the President that will be of real
benefit to the country and will harm
no one.
The chief points which the Presi.
dent singled out as basis for legis-
lation were:
1. Efectual prohibition Of the in
rerlocking of the directorates OF
great corporations-banks, railroads,
industrial, commercial and public
service bodies.
2. law to confer upon the Inter-
state Commerce Commission the
power to superintend and regulate
the financial operations by which
railroads arc henceforth to be sup
piled with the money they need for
their proper Development and i'm
proved transportation facilities.
The President made it clear that "the
prosperity of the railroads and the
prosperity OF the country are insep-
arably connected" in this regard.
3. Definition of "the many hurtiui
restraints of trade" by explicit legls-
lation supplementary Of the Sher,
man law.
4. The creation of commission
to aid the courts and to act as a
lclearing house of information in
helping business to conform with the
law.
5. Provision Of penalties and pun
lshment to fall upon individuals re-
spousible for unlawful business
practices.
6. Prohibition of holding com.
panies and a suggestion that the
voting power OF individuals holding
shares in numerous corporations
might be restricted.
4 Z. Giving to private individuals
the right to found suits for redress
on facts and judgments proven in
government suits, and providing
that the statue Of limitation should
run only from the date Of the gov
ernment's action.
I The nexiCsn Situation
u With the repeated rumors that
Huerta will soon be overtime wn
, | the situation in Mexico is presenting
/ new problems for the administra
ton. II Huerta is done-for-down
and.out a prisoner in the hands o
MS enemies, or on board ship max
liue for Cuba or Europe, who will b.
mis- successor? Will the victors b.
disposed to refer the question to thu
, United States! And # the question
is referred to us should We accep
: the responsibility! live did. should
We not become answerable, not onl,
10 Mexico but to all outside power
tor the performances in Office for tn
man chosen!
II But it is likely that il Huerta
!. oyerthrown, the men who as CON
}. manders in the field have borne tn
q heat and burden Of the day will ii
sist on choosing a new leader. Ca
e rama would feel qualified for ii
;. task and might aspire to it. b
J. would Villa and Zapata consent?
y" Our difficulties with regard to Me
leo arc very great and there is ever
reason why both the President al
. Congress should give them de-