60
The last of November a recess of ten
days was declared by the commission,
with the ostensible reason of affording
the attorneys for both sides time to pre-
pare elaborate statements of hours and
wagfcs. But it was later divulged that
the recess was held in order to permit
an out-of-court settlement of the diffi-
culty. It was stated that the operators
were willing to compromise, and a solu-
tion seemed possible until the indepen-
dent operators blocked further negoti-
ations by refusing any concessions.
They claim that they are in a position
to fullv defend themselves before the
commission ; that up to this time only
the testimony for the workers has been
received, and to drop the investigation
at this time and agree upon a compro-
mise would be to "perpetuate the injus-
tice perpetrated by the union mine
workers." So it remained only for the
commission to resume work, and this it
did on December 3. The deposition of
testimony is continued, aimed princi-
pally against the independent operat-
ors. Hearing will soon be given the
operators, enabling them to define and
defend their position.
Sensational rumors are current regarding the Russian throne, affecting principally Czar Nicholas, who is at present at a health resort in Southern Russia. The sensational ele- ment is supplied bv the statement that Nicholas is under the the mesmeric control of an American named Philipp, bv whom he is compelled to act in a ridiculous manner. A more credible version of the Czar's peculiar behavior is that he is disgusted with the con- dition of affairs in Russia, and especial- Iv with his lack of power to introduce the reforms necessar>' to elevate Russia from her submerged social and eco- nomic position. The strength of the reactionary party is responsible for the ])resent intolerable condition.
Dismffi^ctioA of tH* Csmr
POLITICS—
On December 2d, the day after its opening session. Congress received from Mr. Roosevelt the "President's Message,*' and almost
simultaneously it became common
property through the public prints, and
soon was being read throughout the
United States and most of the civilized
countries of the globe. On account of
the peculiar and momentous issues now
confronting the American people, and
on account of the independent and fear-
less attitude of the President toward
these problems, this expression of his
position was awaited with unusual
eagerness.
The message may be characterized as a competent and intelligent presenta- tion of the situation, with a strong and capable treatment of the various prob- lems. Although opinion varies with in- dividual beliefs, a consensus would ac- cord President Roosevelt praise for the bold attack he has made upon the greatest obstacles, and, at the same time, for the conservatism displayed in the face of the tremendous force of public opinion.
In brief, he begins with a survey of the country's unbounded prosperity, the causes to which it is attributed, and the measures necessary for its preser- vation. The "high individual average of our citizenship," he says, is the primal cause for our national well-be- ing.
With so much good there must be some evil, he admits. Passing to the discussion of the trusts, he holds that the trusts, in their injurious form, can- not be reached by any reduction of the tariff. Any such effort would hurt the weaker competitors more than the great combines, and turn the market over to foreigners. He affirms his belief that Congress can regulate the evils that accompany great monopolies under the power to ** 'regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States,' " and urges the passage of a law upon 'which the question can be adjudicated. If it be proven that it docs not lie within the power of Con- gress so to legislate, then "we should not shrink from amending the Consti- tution so as to secure beyond peradven- ture the power sought."
As to the tariff, he avers that **sta- bilitv of economic policy must always be the prime economic need of this country." But while he holds to this
