The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-16
COMBINED CAPITAL CONTROLS.

UnGuestionably the political riddle OF
our present civilization is monopoly, IS
the combine of capital for control.
What shall be done with the monOpOlie;
and trusts which are prostrating indi-
vidual effort and enterprise and enslav-
ing the masses? There are political
economists and writers of more than
ordinary accumen who believe that the
life or death of the American republic
hinges upon the rightful solution of this
riddle, which congresses and legisla-
lures have attempted to solve in vain.
Professor Richard Ely, in a clear and
scholarly effort in the Independent for
March 4th essays opinions and argu-
ments but no remedies. To begin with,
he draws a distinct line between com
petitiye and noncompettiyeind industry the
former typified by agriculture and the
latter by telephone system in a city.
The sitting of competition is impOssi-
bic in tie case of agriculture and al
most inevitable in the telephone bust
ness because the latter is what is called
a natural monopoly Professor Ely be
lieyes that al railways, telephone and
telegraph companies, gas plants and
electric ig1t plants are mOnopolies by
nature, snd all efforts 10 cause effective
competition in these branches of indus
ty vii be forever fTTitleSS- The mo-
noooly which Is a monopoly by nature,
he holds, mIIst be controlled by the gov
eminent under which II operates Com
peti1ive pursuits viii take care of them
selves in Il large measure, Professor Ely
believes Agriculture, retail and whole
sale trade. and manufactures In gen
eral, do not present the mos$ serious
problem of the monopoly question.
The point Of attack must be the monop-
olies that are so by nature When these
shall have been attended to the combin-
htions that so alarm us in the competi-
tive field may be reached.
To project the consumer or the pri-
yate producer from the favored few
who control an inherent monopoly and
use IT oppreSsiyely, there is but one
possible means, and that is authority
the law.
Professor Ely holds not only that the
law must interfere, bur that the GOV
ernmenr must have absolute control
The gains and advantages which now
accrue 10 the managers of these indus
tries would then fall to society AT large
Here arises the natural objection Of
those who have examined the character
of past experiments in government
ownership, notably the postal service.
The postal service Is an annual expense
10 the government, and shall we add TO
Ii national telegraph and telephone
service and place within the reach of
the hands of the corrupt politicians the
railroads? Professor Ely believes we
Should do all these things seeing TO it
that the government is made worthy of
the trust He would have public own
erShip of railways, government owner
ship of coal fields although they might
be worked by private parties, govern
ment ownership wherever a monopoly
Is found controlling a source Of supply.
1t seems that this eminent economist
would plunge us straight into paternal-
istic rule bordering on the socialism of
the Pop apostles. Our government has
grown TO he a very complex affair, in
Its public as well as Industrial and com
mercial life. and withal mighty. Laws
TO meet and regulate all are impossible.
The hope is in higher intelligence, an
intelligence so universal as to result in
greater individual responsibility. This
idea of government ownership. govern
ment control and government in bust
ness everywhere and along all lines
would, in being dire deSpotiSm. level
everything, crush cut individually and
render man a mere machine. an ire
sponsible human automaton.