The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-05

lie investigation shall have been in
stituted which shall make the whole
question at issue plain for the judg-
ment of the opinion of the nation is
not to propose any such principle 1t
is based upon the very different prin-
ciple that the concerted action of pow
erful bodies of men shall rot be per-
mitted to stop the Industrial processes
OF the nation, at any rate before the
nation shall have had an opportunity
to acquaint itself with the merits of
the case as between employe and en-
ployer, time to form its opinion upon
an impartial statement of the merits,
and opportunity to consider all prac-
ticable means of Cancellation or arbi-
tration. I can see nothing in that
proposition but the justifiable safe
guarding by society of the necessary
processes of it's very life. There is
nothing arbitrary or unjust in it unless
it be arbitrarily and unjustly done 1t
can and should be done with a full
and scrupulous regard for the inter
ests and liberties of all concerned as
we'll as for the permanent interests of
society itself.
Before the House.
Three matters of capital Importance
await the action of the senate which
have already been acted upon by the
house of representatives: the bill
which seeks to extend greater free
dom of combination to those enca ced
in promoting the foreign commerce. of
the country than is now thought by
some to be legal under the terms of
the laws against monopoly; the bill
amending the present organic law of
Porto Rico; and the bill proposing a
more thoro and systematic regulation
of the expenditure of money in cleo
tions, commonly called the corrupt
practices act. 1 need not labor my
advice that these measures be enacted
into law. Their urgency lies in The
W daY-
their adoption at this time not only
opportune but necessary. Even DELAY
would seriously leopard the inter -sts
of the country and of the government.
Immediate passage of the bill to
regulate the expenditure of money in
elections may seem to be less neces-
Sary than the immediate ena ctment of
the other measures to which 1 refer;
because at least two years will elapse
before another election in which fed
eral offices are to be filled; but it
would greatly relieve the public mind
if this important matter were dealt
with while the circumstances and the
dangers to the public morals of the
present method of obtaining and
spending campaign funds stand clear
under recent observation and the
methods of expenditure can be frank
ly studied in the light of present ex-
perience; and a delay would have the
further very serious disadvantage of
ton was at hand and some special OBJ
| ject connected with it might be
thought to be in the mind of those
who urged it. Action can be taken
now with facts for guidance and with
out suspicion of partisan purpose.
Export Trade. ~
! L shall not argue at length the de-
STABILITY of giving a freer hand in
the matter of combined and concerted
| effort to those who shall undertake
| the essential enterprise of building up
our export trade. That enterprise will
/ presently, will Immediately assume,
| has indeed already assumed, magni-
tude unprecedented in our experience.
We have not the necessary instru-
mentalities for its prosecution; it is
deemed to be doubtful whether they
| could be created upon an adequate
| scale under our present laws. We
should clear away all legal obstacles
and create a basis of undoubted law
for it which will give freedom without
permitting unregulated license. The
| thing must be done now, because the
opportunity is here and may escape
US if hesitate or delay.
| The argument for the proposed
amendments of the organic law of
Porto Rico is brief and conclusive. The
present laws governing the island and
regulating the rights and privileges
! of its people are not just We have
| created expectations of extended privi-
lege which we have not satisfied
| There is uneasiness among the people
/ of the island and even a suspicious
| doubt with regard to our intentions
concerning them which the adoption
of the pending measure would happily
| remove. We do not doubt what we
| wish to do in any essential particular
We ought to do it at once
| "At the last session of the congress
a bill was passed by the Senate which
trNrr doc fNV- f6a
tional and industrial education which
is of vital importance to the whole
| country because it concerns a matter
too long neglected upon which the
thoro industrial preparations of the
country for the critical years of
economic development Immediately
ahead of us in very large measures de-
ponds. May l not urge its early and
| favorable consideration by the house
of representatives and its early enact
ment into law? 1t contains plans
which affect all interests and all parts
of the country and I am sure that
there is no legislation now pending be-
fore the congress whose passag e the
country awaits with more thoughtful
approval or greater Impotence to see
a great and admirable thing set in the
way of being done.
There are other matters already adj
vanced to the stage of conference be-
tween the two houses of which it is
not Unnecessary lIldt L SnOuIQ speak.
Some practicable basis of agreement
concerning them will no doubt be
found and action taken upon them
Inasmuch as this is, gentlemen,
4 probably the last occasion shall have
to address the Sixty-fourth congress, 1
hope that you will permit me to say
with what genuine pleasure and salts
faction l have co-operated with you in
the many measures of constructive
policy with which you have enriched
the legislative annals of the country
1t has been a privilege to la Dor in
such company. 1 take the liberty of
congratulating you upon the compile
ton of a record of rare servicea bleness
and distinction.