Volume Vi Part 15 (2/2)
This tends to break the political solidarity of the section and it is possible that in the not distant future the ”Solid South” may pa.s.s away.
The South is enthusiastic; it is alert to its opportunities and it is planning with hope for the future. Through practical education wonders may be worked, and upon this practical education for the rising generation the South bases its hopes. The new generation will make greater strides in the utilization of the great natural gifts than the old one has. The race problem will be solved in time, and the solution must come through the efforts of the Southern people, for the best cla.s.ses now believe that the South can prosper best when all the people, colored as well as white, are brought to the highest standard of their efficiency.
CHAPTER IX
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S SECOND TERM
[1905-1907]
On June 1, 1905, an exposition was opened at Portland, Oregon, in commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1805). Four hundred acres of ground adjoining the princ.i.p.al residence district, overlooking the Willamette River, were set aside for this purpose. There were extensive exhibits by the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Holland, Italy, China, and other European and Asiatic countries. The fair was, in general, the expression of the life and history of the Pacific Northwest and the direct relations.h.i.+p between that region and the Orient. Many national congresses were held in conjunction with it, such as the American Medical a.s.sociation, National Good Roads a.s.sociation, and the National Conference of Charities and Correction.
The different interstate commerce acts, beginning with that of 1887 and including the railroad rate bill of 1906, const.i.tute a system of control established by the Federal Government over persons and corporations engaged in interstate or foreign commerce; this includes the carrying of persons and property by either rail or water. Pipe lines, telephone, telegraph, express, and sleeping-car companies are also brought under the same provisions. The administration of these laws was vested in the Interstate Commerce Commission consisting of seven members.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
The Lewis and Clark Exposition, Portland, Ore.
General view across the Lagoon.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
The Lewis and Clark Exposition, Portland, Ore.
The Government Buildings across the Lagoon.
The important provisions of these laws may be summarized as follows: 1. All charges must be just and reasonable. The commission was given power to fix maximum rates after investigation of a complaint by either party to a dispute over rates.
2. Pooling agreements were prohibited.
3. It was made unlawful to make discriminations by giving to any particular person, corporation, or locality an unreasonable advantage over others. Granting of pa.s.ses was prohibited to other than railroad employees, and granting of rebates was forbidden.
4. By the ”long or short haul” clause it was made unlawful for a common carrier to charge more for the transportation of pa.s.sengers, or the same kind of freight, over a shorter than a longer distance; provided the transportation was under substantially similar circ.u.mstances and conditions over the same line and in the same direction.
5. All rates were required to be published and posted where they might be consulted by any person.
6. Railroad companies were forbidden to engage in other lines of business.
7. Companies engaged in interstate commerce must have a uniform system of accounting.
8. They are required to make reports to the Interstate Commerce Commission regularly.
This commission was also empowered to receive complaints, hear testimony, make orders correcting abuses, or investigate conditions without previous complaint. It was given the power to suspend the proposed increase of rates until their justice had been determined. Any person objecting to an order of the commission was empowered to appeal to the ”Commerce Court,” which was created, being made up of five circuit court Justices.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Portrait.]
Copyright by Clinedinst, Was.h.i.+ngton.
Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, many years Chief of the U. S. Bureau of Chemistry.
Nearly all of the States have pa.s.sed laws relating to the purity of goods sold to the public. Investigation showed, however, that twenty per cent of the articles of food in common use were adulterated. This led to the pa.s.sing of a far-reaching measure by Congress, 1906, known as the Pure Food and Drugs law. It provides against the manufacture and sale of adulterated or misbranded foods, drugs, medicines, or liquors in the District of Columbia, the Territories, and the insular possessions of the United States, and prohibits the s.h.i.+pment of such goods from one State to another or to a foreign country. To the Department of Agriculture was given the power to enforce the law. Thus the public is protected against adulterated foods and medicines and dishonest and misleading labels, and honest manufacturers are protected against fraudulent compet.i.tion.
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