The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-17

a State statute. limited only I'm its opera
tion TO the boundary lines of its State, is
unable to meet the situation, and yet these
same State lines are complete barriers
against the operation OF a federal statute,
unless that statute shall be based on pro-
per constitutional power. All of the forty
five States. except one. might pass similar
statutes on the subject the failure of that
enc State TO join with the other forty-tour
would defeat the effort. The action by State
legislatures must necessarily be uniform
otherwise conflict and confusion would re-
suit.
1T seems quite conclusive that the trust
question cannot be fully settled. except by
federal control over the same. IL Congress
had the power OF control over all corpora
tions, with the right of inquiring into the
MANAGEMENT OF the same, and the regula-
ton of wages of their employees. requiring
publicity of assets and the names of stock
holders, and such other supervision as
might be necessary to prevent injustice to
labor and insure justice and fair dealing
i'm the sale of products. then the destruc-
ton Of competition and the creation of
monopoiies might be avoided.
II believe Congress should endeavor to
obtain the adoption of a constitutional
amendment granting such power of federal
control over corporations and vast aggre-
cations of wealth will allow complete
legislation on the subject. / appreciate that
1t will take time to secure such an amend
ment inasmuch as three-fourths of the
States must through their legislatures
ratify the same. In addition to such an
amendment, believe 1t will be wise for
Congress to pass an act with such pro-
visions as shall impose greater restrictions
and requirements. with increased penalties,
on those corporations and large aggrega-
tions of wealth. If there shall be doubt of
the constitutionality of such law, that
doubt can be resolved in favor of the law
until 1t may be passed on by the Supreme
Court. In the meantime the proposed
amendment might be considered by the
legislatures of the States and If the court
should hold the law unconstitutional con-
gressional action could afterwards be had
under the amendment. IL. on the other
hand. the law should be held constitu-
tional. the full power obtained under the
amendment need not be exercised.
LEGISLATION MUST BE FAIR.
1.-The situation is sufficiently grave and
the subject of sufficient Importance to JUS
tify the best possible effort that can be
made to properly and honestly solve the
problem. very large number of bills and
resolutions have been introduced in Con-
gress seeking to meet the situation and
many of them are very drastic; but the
question should be considered in spirit of
fairness and justice to capital and labor
alike, and not pursued with prejudice to
either. Both have their rights, and each is
essential to the other. 1t is to be regretted
| that the subject is being considered too
| much from a political standpoint. 1t is
really economic, and must ultimately be
| disposed Of on economic principles Ger
| tainly the Democratic party is entitled to
no especial credit for its present attitude
| on the trust question. Its national plat
| forms have more than once contained
| planks on the subject, and yet when it
| was in power it never gave an hour to its
| consideration and never wrote a line of
| legislation upon IL.
"A special subcommittee of the judiciary
| committee of the House has just been ap-
/ pointed for the purpose of considering leg
islation on this subject. 1t is the purpose
| of the committee to approach the subject
with care and treat it honestly and fairly.
| Just what 1T will do / cannot at present
say. have been honored by a position on
that committee. and shall continue my la
bors with it. l sincerely hope that 1t may
| soon reach conclusion which will be In
the right direction towards the proper So
luton of what all concede to be very per-
picking, but very important. question"