Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-05-13
AaAlNsr CORPORATE GREED.

There have been SO many instances
Of oppression on the part OF come
larger corporations, in the way of
establishing Injurious monopolle', that
q strong antagonism has been created
which, In very many cases, am iunts
TO an upreasoning prejudice gainst
corporations organized anu conducted
with q view to public as well as
private good. 1t is unfortunate that
people will give way to this prejudice
when 1t is played upon by agitstors, as
is often the case in this locality, to the
injury OF commendable public enter
prisee. Hardly a company can be
formed now for the development
of any local Industry or re.
source but that somebody Whose
fairness and good judgment are not
sufficient balsnce-wheel to the incli.
nstion to fiad fault, Jumps up and
shouts Corporation" "monopoly,"
etc., whe the necessary edec. OF the
compsuy's SUCCESS would be ant
monopoly In character and conducive
TO the public good. The people OF
Illinois, however, seem to have had
genuine case OF needed antagonism
10 corporate greed in the attempt 10
pass what Is known ss the Humphrey
bill, which was defeated on Wednes.
day afternoon.
The, Humphrey bills were compound
ed into one on Monday, called "a
bill for an act concerning street
railroads." Originally there was
provision for a state commits
sion to pass on the advisability OF allow.
ing railway over certain routes, but
in the consolidated Dill this was modi-
He'd go far as, Chicago was concerned
to consist OF a city commission. This
WAS done 30 as to remove the Chicago
opposition to the bill. The other pro.
visions retained were to give the rail.
ways broad rights OF eminent domain,
10 allow the sale by auction Of railway
franchises to intending builders, and
10 extend existing franchises for q
period OF fifty years from September.
1897, without regard to the wishes OF
the people In the municipalities
affected. This last provision was Il o
most Objectionable OF all, and the one
which brought defeat.
In the contest there have been very
many charges OF bribery OF members
to secure vote in favor OF the bill. 1t
was said that the railroads owning
the main franchises, which expire In
1908, were willing to pay considerable
money to have the legislature arbitra.
rliy extend the lie Of those franchises
another forty.fOur years, and thus
bring almost incalculable benefit to
the owners; and this extension OF time
was to be without the consent OF the
people In the particular localities
effected. Aside from any corrupt
means, the allegations concern.
Ing which are being Investigated
by q legislative Committee, the
defeat of, the Humphreys bill is
| q vindication Of the right Of the people
10 various municipalities to make
their own contracts for the use OF their
public priyileges-a right which ought
to be maintained inviolate to every
community 40 an essential feature in
the exercise OF local self government.
Those corporations which sought to
obtain, through the exercise OF general
powers by the state legislature, those
public privileges which II has been
customary to seek more directly at the
hsnus OF the municipalities and local.
tiles specially ltfectrd, deserved defeat
10 the interest Of popular government.