The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-15


It Is best for the public interest in the
subject of the prevailing conference at
Chicago that that gathering should be
made to assume its true character at the
outset 1t is not necessarily, or at all, an
antitrust convention. Those who favor,
as well as those who oppose, trusts. and
those who are as yet but students of the
great Industrial and social problem which
is involved are expected to take part in
the conference, and to find the fullest OPP
portunities for the advancement of their
views.
With this as the character of the confer
. ence. it is as we'll that it should be clearly
understood that no conclusion which may
be reached through the concurrence of a
majority of those participating in it will
have weight or binding effect on any one
except those formulating or approving
that conclusion.
The occasion then is no more than one
for the fullest and freest exchange of
opinions on the. part eof those, represent
ing political. Industrial social or educa-
tiGnal bodies who appear as delegates.
Such a body, should its proceedings be
generally published, will have most ben
effcial effect in the education and enlight-
eminent which it must result in spreading
among the masses on the general subject
under considera ton. The disagreement
which has prevailed among the delegates
concerning the disposition of resolutions
offered possesses no public significance
whatever.
The opening address of Chairman Head
was peculiarly timely in the clearness
with which it outlined the true nature of
the gathering and the general eXpecta-
ton Of the results which are possible of
achievement through it. But it is the adj
dress delivered by Prof. jerks, of Cornell
university, outlining the various phases
of tie great problem now seeking solu-
ton before the bar of public opinion, to
which the greatest Importance must be
attached. 1t would not be reasonable to
expect that popular gathering, embrace
ing opposing views, would confine itself
to exact definitions, or treat it's subject on
a purely phlosophic basis. But the in
vitation to do So and the valuable direc-
ton in that behalf, which are embodied
in the address of the Cornell professor
ought 10 result in the greatest possible
good.
1t may be generally conceded that the
conviction prevails among the body of
the people that the organization of the
trusts is fraught with danger to the pop
ular welfare as we'll as to the perpetuity
of representative institutions. The people
are usually right in their general conclu-
sons on subjects Immediately bearing on
Their own interests, and, from all that has
transpired thus far with reference to
trust organization, it is plain that the
popular misgiving is far from being I'M
founded.
The burden then rests on those who
attend that conference in behalf of the
trusts to make it plain that the trust
movement is but a legitimate expression
of the prevailing tendency toward con-
solidation in industrial and commercial
life, and that that tendency of itself is
fruitful of good rather than of harm to
the public welfare. Until this much has
been accomplished, or at least, until the
present conference has been effective
in allaying public restlessness and sus-
picion, the attitude of popular opposition
to the trust movement must be regarded
as having the amplest warrant of human
experience to sustain it.