The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-02

/ optimistic character. Inc autnor is evil
IDENTIFY determined TO prove that this coun-
try is the best, in the best Of all possible
worlds, and that 1t was never half so well
off as it is now. The first page strikes
the keynote of the book. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
witty Western writer. summing up the
parvels of growth, expansion, and prosperity Of
the year 1899 in the United States, made this
1 his telling climax:
I And every barn in Kansas and Nebraska has
! had a coat of paint
10 anyone who knew the great implanted
! West Of 1s96 and 1897, with its bare, weather
stained houses. its dilapidated barns, its farm
/ machinery standing out in the rain, Its ruinous
! boom towns. its disconnected inhabitants crying
out for legislation 10 relieve their distress, TINS
! int of observation raises picture OF improve
ment and smiling comfort such as no array OF
figures, however convincing, could produce
Considered as rhetoric this is very nice,
but possibly the cautious reader will be in
clined TO ask whether in his admiration
for fresh paint, Mr.. Baker has not used
a little Of it on his statement
The argument of this author throughout
/ is that the years 1898 and 1899 were years
of unparalleled prosperity and that protec-
ton and Mr.. Mckinley have done it..
Whether this is so or not those interested
/ in campaign statistics can settle for them
0
are two kinds of lies, plain and statistical.
and the fact that Mr.. Baker holsters up
his argument with all sorts of figures
about the exports, products, and other
business conditions of the country proves
nothing unless the Improvement in these
business conditions can be shown to be
directly the result of the Republican Ad-
ministration. a great deal of the activity
| in trade centres is admittedly the result
IF fha rtfGI,- 4 Co. tl,o.
Mr.. Mckinley and his friends can claim no
credit, since they did all that they could
short of actually ignoring the will of the
people TO stop that war. Another thing
which affects the situation materially is
the fact that long period of depression
had Just been experienced; and according
to the law of action and reaction it was
time for change of circumstances If the
change was in any way possible.
At the same time, the book is full Of in
teresting statistics about the increase in
foreign and domestic trade during the
last two years, the sums spent in various
channels of trade, and the advance which
American manufactures have made in for
eign lands Considered as mass of sta
tlstics, the book is interesting; considered
as an argument, 1t is not much. The logic
is superficial and the reasoning specious
New York; Doubleday C Mcclure Com
pany. S1.25.)
THE Trusts: What Can We Do With
Them? What Can They Do for Us?" by
Hon. William Miller Collier is a discus
sion OF the economic and political ques-
tons springing out of the trust problem,
dealing with the benefits and evils of
trusts and the restrictions which should
be imposed upon them. The book is fully
supplied with tables of statistics and is
thoughtful, scientific. and clear statement
OF the case from the authors point Of
view. Anyone interested in the subject
discussed will find il well worth reading
Mr.. Collier is in favor of restricting
trusts, if possible, so that the benefits of
combination may be secured without the
Injurious effects of monopoly UPON the
masses. He does not believe in giving
them special privileges; but he does be-
lieve that, on the whole the employee is
better OFF in a large business than in a
small one. He thinks it foolish for anti
trust workers to direct their energies to-
ward abolishjng the trust entirely instead
OF clipping its CLAWS by abolishing special
privileges
Above all, he believes in publicity. He
advocates absolute openness in the deal
ings of the trust, and all the information
winch can be given TO the public concern
ing it freely and fully given 1t must be
said that he has done his best to give his
share of publicity to the growth. workings.
faults, virtues, and other qualities of this
great institution Of the nineteenth century.
tNew York: The Baker & Taylor Com
pany)
The Trust Problem" by Jeremiah W.
jerks, professor Of political science at Cor
nell University. is a concise and able pre-
seEtation of the same problem discussed
by Mr.. Collier. from different point OF
view. The nature Of competition and its
various forms. are first considered, and the
wastes thereof computed Then there is
chapter on the advantages of industrial,
combinations. and one on combination and
monopoly. The various methods OF organ
iZation used in forming a trust are then
taken up and thorough investigation
made of the prices Of various staples under
the trust system
The most interesting chapter, perhaps
is that on the political and social effects o.
the trust. the influence OF corporations up
or legislation, etc. The general argument
of the book is that industrial combination
cannot be stopped, but may be controlled
and should be. The plans of Governor
Roosevelt, William J. Bryan, and Comp
troller Coler with reference to trust legis-
la:ion are considered. a passage in regard
to the destruction of individuality SO often
urged as an evil effect of the trust will
prove interesting:
On the other side of this vital question there
are one or two matters for consideration MANY
men trying to work independently who
are industrially Mt only to work under direction
Any careful business man observer OF business
conditions can probably name among his aoquaint.
ances men who, good workmen perhaps are fit TO
be carpenters or machinists tailors while work
ing under the direction of Others but who wish
TO become and at times do become contractors or
ttft ~ rhafr A.
positions Of financial responsibility as heads OF
establishments, and VINO. whenever they secure
sueh Independent positions. invariably bring dis
aster upon themselves and consequent discomfort
10 their families and their creditors
The fact should not be overlooked that persons
holding subordinate positions are usually granted
much more Independence in work than is often
thought. In large mercantile manufacturing
establishment the heads Of DEPARTING ats ordinarily
have full discretion in the management of their
departments as long they prove successful
Their employers look for results. They are given
general directions in order that they may fit
properly into their places in the great organizl-
tions. but they have full discretion as regards the
details Of management, and in most cases have
as great opportunities for showing their origin
ally and fo- testing their powers Of combination
and organization it would be possible for them
TO have in managing with entire independence a
much smaller business.
And there is much reason in this. New
York, Mcclure, Phillips & Co. 81
THE Regeneration of the United States:
A Forecast of Its Industrial Evolution"
by William Morton Grinnell, is the latest
volume in the Questions of the Day Sc
ries. In the present state of doubt and
enquiry concerning the conditions and ten
denotes Of the country, any thoughtful
speculation on this subject is interesting
and that Of Mr.. Grinnell is no exception.
Some of his statements may seem a little
when he calls Cleveland "a man OF the
hiPhnsf Integrity and of thai cnmnnn