The sun., 1899-04-23
ABRAM =. HEWITT ON TRUSTS.
He Thinks the workingmen VIII Gradually
Gain Control Of Them.

WARRINGTON. April 22.-Former Mayor Abb
ram 8. Hewitt. who while member OF Con-
Rress was Chairman Of tho House committee
which In 1873 conducted an investigation into
the relations OF capital and labor. In declining.
on the ground OF poor health. the invitation OF
the Industrial Commission 10 appear before IL.
has written a letter on the subject Of trusts.
The failure OF his committee to make a report
was due he says. to the conclusion reached
by all the members OF the committee that no
report OF any value could possibly he made
from the testimony taken. This testimony
disclosed conclusively the fact that the witness
es. when cross-examined. invariably contra
dicted themselves. leavingthe testimony which
:heyihad given as that OF men who had no clear
convictions upon the subject No human be-
ing could posslbly:evove from:this mass OF
contradictory evidence any definite conclu-
sons whatever as to legislation in reference
TO the relations OF capital and labor. .except'pos-
sbly the one conclusion that legislation could
do no good aud would probably be.mischie-
vous. Mr.. Hewitt inclosed an address deliv-
cred by him in 1890 on the relations Of capital
and labor. and says:
Since the time whom this address was de-
livered still further progress has been made
toward the solution OF the question which Is
therein discussed. Corporations have con-
they threaten to absorb the entire industrial
business OF the country which is capable OF
heing administered by centralized manage
ment This is precisely tho direction which
] anticipated. and seems to me to he In ac-
cordance with the evolution which has take
place within the last half century. and which
may be in accordance with a natural law. il
there be natural laws inyWGlved in the progress
OF modern civilization. My own view Is that
when industry has been sufficiently central,
ized and the ownership widely ditruseed
men will gradually acquire these shares and
control the property which they represent In
fact cannot sec any other outcome for the
Of industrial enterprises than the transfer Of
the control to those who are actually engaged
can be made 10 promote this desirable end
+ am unable either to predict or suggest;
tive Interference with capital and labor az per
nicious. Women and children may properly
lie protected from abuse. but think individual
the parties con"eIned to settle their own diff
ferences and decide upon their own interests.
The corporate movement. however, ssems to
me to be altogether advantageous to society.
] do not doubt that with the spread OF knowl-
general Improvement in the Intelligence OF
men. Who under our modern conditions OF In:
dustrin life have ceased TO be machines and
standard OF self.reSp-ct Of comfort and OF Of
hanniness will be permanently raised;
Inere Is one question, however. with wnlch
! society will probably have tu deal. and that Is
! the increase OF population. forboar to dis
| cuss this question for obvious reasons. but
| am quite confident that In the future the world
VIII experience more danger from redundant
population than from any other cause. The
time. however. is far distant when this oues-
ton viii become OF anv practical Importance.
although in some countries in the world 1t
presses fol. solution to-day. In France the
standard OF comfort has been raised by the
control which the people seem Voluntarily TO
have exercised in regard to the increase OF
population. Whether the moral standard In
France has been degraded by this or any other
course / do not pretend to judge. This is a
question for nnraliSts. and II may become a
| question for Legislators"