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

not clear that the power Of regulation can
be effectively exercised in any. other way
than by the application of fundamental
moral principles, for the protection of rights
OF men and In the interest OF public policy.
Economic operation is in itself an inexorabie
law. Theories of revolutionary effect may
be helpful indications OF what may ultimate
~ come. but. in wise procedure. the first
steps would be in the direction of expert
mental test OF powers that have served US
we'll In the past. More radical measures
Will come IL necessary, but in the light OF
present knowledge. can any careful thinker
say that this problem, now in its evolution
airy stages, can best be solved by revolutions
airy measures? Is IL not better TO patiently
seek to apply practicable thought 10 the
measures should become necessary their sue
cess VIII be fastened by preceding failure in
reasonable efforts. as history proves in the
instances OF great changes brought about
In the past A wise radical Is first patient
conservative.
THE GREATEST DANGER.
THE danger now most gravely appre-
hended Is not that labor will suffer from
combinations of capital, but that aggre-
gated capital will result In oppression of
multftudes OF consumers who have no share
In the benefits of combinations. The de-
fensive power of labor, wisely directed
through organization. Is strong enough to
compel capital to accord to ii the share due
IT, There is nearer approach to identity
or interest between the two, which tends
10 Bring them into closer relationship as
allies than ever before. In some instances
a primary factor In combinations of capital
has been to compel higher prices from the
consumer TO enable the employers. TO pay
increased wages TO employees. The morgan
ized classes who are consumers and who
are accorded no direct benefits from the
allied interests Of combinations. are the IN
protected, but there is ultimate safety for
numbers. constitute
a majority of the people, and if they move
In alarm to demand a broader application
that there are possibilities ahead which
nave. from the present point of view. cha
otto aspects. Labor can well afford to view
the situation more complacently than might
reasonably be expected from capital, but
the pig in the trough is always unmindful
OF his surroundings while the swill holds
While II may seem than manipuators
and beneficiaries of trusts are heedlessly
making the most of their opportunities, it
must be recognized that these opportunities
exist by permission of the people, and
abuses can continue only so long as there
Is liberation of them. In their quick devel-
opment they have grown beyond established
they spring from ineradicable conditions,
and that as larger developments of eco
nomic progress they have the elements of
vitality from which civilization has derived
Its greatest strength. Shall they be brought
under the regulations which we have sought
Shall they be brought under the light of
publicity and examination, so that the good
and bad in their tendencies can be better de-
termined. so that dishonesty and unfairnesS
In their methods may be discovered, so that
the inequitable effects of their operations
may be judged? 1t is the right of society
TO know II this newborn creature of condi-
lions Is humanity's offspring or is coiled
serpent. II II is OF us and for US 1t will have
our care, but 1t should be brought UP as
member of the family in the way it should
go. More should be known about 1t than is
known now; IL should be studied as Ii
grows but at all times 1t should be required
to conform strictly to the regulations which
preserve good morals and protect the rights
of the majority. 1t seems clear enough
that It can be regulated; it is doubtful If it
know that 1t is desirable that it should be
destroyed on the contrary. the conditions
IRON nrr wnicn 1 it mas grown nave brought us
perfected, our greatest boon. The darkness
of ignorance must first be dispelled. Only
t those ,, who are gifted with the ready as.
we want to know, and however interesting
this may be 1t Is not competent evidence.
We know enough now TO make ii clear that
the first steps should be in the direction of
regulation, and as we proceed with regula-
ton study the development of the problem
ress, and though the promise be less. the
results will be quicker than the uncertain
realization OF utopian hopes or radical de-
mands"
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton met after the afternoon adjournment
of the conference. The committee consist
ing Of one delegate from each State repre-
sented and each organization of general
scope was as follows: District of Columbia,
DR.. Joseph Nimmo; Delaware, Charles o.
Richards: Nebraska. Hon. r. d. Sutherland;
New Jersey, Edward 1. Keasby; Texas. Hon.
. nax -
willard: North Dakota, A. w. Edwards;
Iowa, l. d. Healy; New Mexico. Frank
Springer: Michigan. George w. Mcbride;
Florida, John Franklin Forbes; New Hamp-
SHIRE Henry w. Blair: Colorado, H. ".
Johns; Arizona, ]. c. Adams; South Dakota,
Freeman Knowles: Wyoming. c. B. Arnold;
West Virginia. j. B. Harris: South Carolina.
u. G. kaufman; Ohio, Charles Foster;
Maine. A. E. Rogers; Mississippi. j. w.
ana " W asWe aqs
Missouri. F. c. Farr; New York. s. p.
GCor ls Pen na INs a. W. ,, Palmer;
A: M. Simmons; tariff reform committee
OF the Reform Club. Lawson Purdy; Amer
lean Social Science Association, W. A.
citation. s. H. Greedy; National Grange, H.
E. Huxley: Association of Western Manu-
facturers. George Brickner;. National ALI
ance Theatrical Stage Employees of Amer
lea. Lee NJ. Hart; New England Free Trade
League. Byron w. Holt; American Acad-
envy Of Political and Social Science Edmon
j. Jones; Illinois Commission Mems Asso-
citation, George H. Holden; Order of Rail-
way Conductors. E. E. Clark; Brotherhood
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, P. H
Morrisey; National Association of Manu-
lecturers. Theodore c. Search; National
Millers' Association. F. III. Madeburg; Ma
tional Single-tax League, Walter A. Lantz;
American Antitrust League. NJ. l.. Lock-
wood: Bricklayers and Masons of America,
NJ. r.. Grady: Northwestern Travelling
Garment Workers of America, Henry
White: Commercial Travellers National
League, p. Z. Dove; ex officio Franklin
III. Head and Ralph M. Easily.
William Writ Howe, of Louisiana, was
selected chairman Of the meeting, and after
chairman of the conference. though three
vice chairmen, each to preside during one
day, were selected. 1t was z happy solu-
ton of what at one time, promised to be a
split No one was willing to allow a per-
manent chairman to be appointed TO pre-
side at all sessions lest he should favor
some faction. 1t was urged that the chair
manship should change at each of the nine
sessions. The chairman and vice chairmen
methods of diSposing of the question was
hailed with applause. The vice chairmen
selected We're: Thursday, Dudley Woolf, OF
Texas: Friday. Mayor H. b. Johnson, of
Colorado: Saturday, S. p. Corliss, of New
York. Ralph NJ Easily was selected as per-
manent secretary.
The following subcommittee on programme
and rules was appointed: III. w. Blair. of
New Hampshire. l.. ID. Sutherland, of Ne
braska: j. w. Gaines, of Tennessee; j. G..
Hanley. of Minnesota; A. p. Davidson, of