Evening journal., 1916-12-07

The Presidents address to Con-
gress yesterday is likewise his first
official communication to the country
since the country reelected him II
Is very business-like document. It's
assured manner and its clear express
sion Of well considered thoughts com
fend 1t to the Interested attention OF
every citizen. This address, or an
nual message on the state of the
Union as il used to be styled, con-
Germs only four topics, and only two
OF these four art really of command
ing Importance; but we beg leave to
observe that seldom has a President
said so much in so few words, or in
words so well chosen.
The main purpose OF the address is
to emphasize and repeat the pro-
gram of Legislation for the adjust
ment of the existing difficulties be-
tween the interstate railroads and
their employees engaged in train SER
vice. The AdamsOn act. the so-called
eight hour day law, is already ir
shape both for practical. experiment
and constitutional test. One of the
remaining measures urgently recon-
mended by the President for compile
tion at this session is the strength
ening OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission for more effective action.
perhaps for an enlarged jurisdiction.
Another is the addition to the pres
ent mediation and Cancellation provi-
sions Of Federal law Of a further pro-
vision requiring that such widespread
controversies as thai which recently
threatened the disruption Of our whole
system OF interstate commerce shall
he subjected to a full public investi-
cation on the merits Of the case he
fore a strike or a lockout may law
fully be attempted" That Is to say.
the duress and enforcesd surrender OF
Congress under the threats of the
brOtherhOods q few weeks ago can
not occur again. If the President has
his way. until there has been such
an ascertanment of the facts and
merits OF the dispute as 10 enable
public opinion to array its irresistible
moral forces on the one side or the
other OF the controversy.
These three measures. in the inter
est as we'll of labor as of the great
public's security against almost uni
versal suffering the President urges
Congress TO enact at once. A further
and even more important part Of his
original schemN was that which called
unon Congress to enact or express its
explicit approval OF an increase OF
freight rates to meet II necessary,
the additional cost Of operation un-
der tho eight hour day. This COM
pcnsaiOry measure is. Of course. the
essence Of the whole matter so far as
Il involves the ability Of the railway
companies TO perform their functions
as carriers and the property rights Of
the millions of citizens who are hold
ers Of railroad stocks and bonds. The
President makes il clear that his with
drawal of this suggestion Is not due
to any change of attitude with regard
to the railroads right TO cOnsidera-
ton in the way OF compensatory rate
increase, but solely because he is
now convinced that the commission
already has full power to grant such
rate increases on the ground state.
Legitimate business engaged in and
dependent upon the transportation in
dustries will derive new satisfaction
and new encouragement from the
Presidents reiterated recognition Of
the principle Of justice also to the
carriers
We now invite attention to ideas
suggested by a comparison of two ap-
parently unrelated parts OF this not
able State paper.
In pleading for the unshackling of
our foreign commerce in the present
time OF unprecedented opportunity.
President Wilson gives his unquali-
fed support to the movement TO mod
ify existing anti-monopoly laws so as
TO permit greater freedom of trade
combinations and consultations I'm
foreign commerce. A bill Of this ma
ture has already passed the House
and is pending in the Senate The
President sets forth the desirability
Of giving "a free hand in the matter
of combined and concerted effort in
this branch OF American enterprise