The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-14


considerable applause.
Mr.. Fortunes Address.
William Fortune. president of the Indiana
State Board of Commerce. was the next
speaker. He made an earnest plea for
conservative procedure as a more hopeful
course than the application of revolutionary
or too radical measures TO an evolutionary
problem He indicated a grave doubt of
the usefulness of the doctrinaire in arriving
at q rational solution of the question. He
guardedly suggested the danger capital may
bring to itself by needless abuse of its
power. and indicated the Importance to IL
Of seeking proper regulations which will
make trust methods acceptable, rather
than obnoxious, to the people by whose
permission and liberation only their
existence continue. His speech was plea
for the practical. rather than theoretical
approach TO the subject, which. In its pres
ent stage. the speaker believed to be too
immature to give basis for conclusive judg
ment as to the extent of either its harmful
or beneficial effects. In combining himself
to the general lines of thought, Mr.. For
tune said:
In the progress of civilization we have
advanced step by step in methods OF CO.
operation In various ways the great in
stitutions of the world have been wrought
by union of effect. The instinct Of associa-
ton has made society, the sympathy OF
aspiration has made the church. apprecia-
ton OF preparation OF the individual tor the
tfonal system, men have been rallied into
armies TO fight for common cause, and on
pursuit Of happiness is based the greatest
government of the world These, our cher
fshed institutions. have been made possible
by methods of cooperation, and patriots do
know
that they would not be held cherished
institutions If there was aught but common
good in their aims.
step by STEP year by year, the tendency
for ages has been toward increase of or
ganized forces. In some of its differentia-
tons this tendency was first resisted, then
encouraged and fostered as rightful means
of advancing human welfare where the In
dividuai suffered from single-handed strife
against the competitive system. The evolu-
tion of organization has carried us rapidly
through different forms of progress and CO.
have regarded with more of appreciation
than apprehension. but now, when we are
confronted with vast developments. which
have come by natural processes from social.
Industrial and economic tendencies, we
awaken to the discovery that we have been
running with our. eyes shut. A startled cry
In the first flush of excited feeling there Is
sec general demand from from the people for pro to
late TO check the tendencies which have
gathered irresistible force from the sources
of their rise and too early for the formation
be done For the instant we w stand as help.
less before the vast problem as the specta-
tor of a passing cyclone. We regard it
and wreckags In the path 1t sweeps. but
we know that all will not fall victims to the
mighty power of its passing.
"A pause for investigation will AFFORD the
best preparation for averting whatever may
be the dangers of the future. IL there Is
good cause for the present alarm II Is well
kx<r<r 1aIr@ <rIw - -
OF the harm and how it Is wrought When
this Is clearly determined we will know bet
ter what to do to eradicate the evils and
touches people The clamor raised by poll
ticians may carry them into Office. but too
often 1t has no other result to warrant faith
in IL as means of solving a great problem.
A rush of legislation Is apt to be as inef-
iectual as the premature and misdirected
fire Of troops who indiscreetly attack before
they discover the position and force Of the
enemy. Much Of truth may be revealed or
Indicated in the discussions at this conyen-
ton and there will be much of helpful
thought advanced to lead the way to sound
conclusions. but there Is risk of falling into
serious error IL We assume that at this stage
Of approach to the evolutionary problem
before US. IT is possible to know all that
should be known. the basis of an ade-
quately comprehensive doctrine applicable to
commercial combinations.
BOTH GOOD AND EVIL.
at Is clear that there is both good and
evil III tuc present operations or the trust
scheme IN the good features there Is en-
during vitality; II is the evil that the people
will seek to eliminate, and there is nothing
surer Tran that In this way they will ulti-
mately succeed Methods of cooperation
which will inure fairly to the benefit of any
set of men will not, when understood be
obnoxious to the public; but when. through
selfishness and greed, there is a perversiOn
or these methods that results in fraud, In
oppression of or exactions from one class for
the neg1tfmate advantage of another class,
there Is manifestly need for the exercise OF
the restraining power of government in the
maintenance of equitable relations between
demand this A government by the people
Will not fail to protect the people in their
rights Dishonesty in capitalizat ton and
practices which violate good morals must,
Ike other criminal acts, be brought under
governmental restraint. IT will be folly to
undertake reckless warfare for the annihila-
ton or trusts. but the claws of the monster,
II that II be. can be cut; and, under the re-
straining influences OF good regulations this
Behemoth. biggest born of commerce, may
become docile, harmless and really amiable
family pet. 1t Is not to be expected that
regulations can be reasonably established
which Will eliminate individual hardships
We know that economic progress has ever
been pitiless In Its sacrifices, and that I'm its
ccnf1fct with human industry its advance
cannot long be hindered. This Humanitarian
cry against the individual hardships of
trusts. however distressing 1t may be and
however much IL may appeal to sympathy
will not be more effectual than has been
the outcry for the same reason against
hDor-savfng machinery and methods. 1t is
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