New-York tribune., 1901-01-06

leaders, instead of dsregarding this public opin-
ion and this drastic legislation. sought to avoid
the evil at which the public opinion and the hos
tile legislation seemed TO be aimed. In other
words. being warned in advance before Con-
gress and the different Legislators got their laws
into working shape TO handle what is commonly
known the trust problem. the majority Of the
so-called dangers and many. II not all. of the
real difficulties worked themselves out in such
a way 10 render the legislation and the pro-
ceedings under II unnecessary.
This was the result in Ohio. where within the
last few months the suits which were brought
IN behalf OF the State have been discontinued
and the proceedings stopped.
This was due in part 10 the action Of the
porations themselves. which action tended TO
modify public opinion. The best industrial cor
porations realized that suppression by any
toward means OF competition would not be toll
Grated by the American public: therefore in
stead OF crushing their opponents by means
which the public would condemn they have
sought 10 Outdo them in the fair field Of rivalry
by giving the public much for their money
both 10 quality and quantity OF goods that
the smaller competitor has been compelled TO
toin the combination or desist from business
In other words. the competition from being
unlawful was changed 20 lawful. 10 the benefit
Of the public and with its approval
Second-The effect upon those States the
Legislatures and the courts of which were anti
trust and differentiation beyond the bounds
OF reason and fairness was 10 drive trade from
their borders. and 10 force many OF their best
institutions 10 leave the State
The antitrust laws OF Texas and Of some of
the other Southern States administered as they
were, have now proved TO be financial check
upon the growth OF those commemorative
MUCH CAPITAL DRIVEN EAST.
The action Of the Legislature and the de-
cisions of the courts OF the State OF Illi-
nos under that Legislature are said TO
have driven millions of incorporated cap
ital out Of Illinois and into this State. Ger
tainly II Is a spectacle long TO be remembered
OF the century that corporations with millions
of capital should bodily. root and branch, leave
the city of Chicago and move into the State OF
New-York. bringing with them their business,
their finances, their employees and their furnish
ings.
The result OF this has been TO bring Legis-
latures and courts 20 pause and question
whether the industrial movement is really an
evil, whether il is not movement which has
back of it force as resistless as has ever been
manifested in any movement in history;
The industrial movement has resulted in the
advance OF wages. in an increase in the circu-
lation OF money. 1t has caused this country
to take q front position in the export of its
products II has exemplied the teaching OF
history that that nation survives the longest and
is most successful which provides the largest
measure of legal and remunerattye employment
for its working classes.
The Industrial movement is directly responsible
for the success of this country in providing for
her laborers by entering the open market of the
world and sending her manufactured products
abroad.
IL has been the element essential to the car
ryng of the manufactured products and to the
creation and financiering of vast export trade.
BY combinations of capital and by the uniting
of the many into one, in and under one control,
il has provided the means as we'll as ways for
manufacture and for the employment of labor
during the entire year. and for the storing and
shipment abroad in due season of the output OF
the mills and factories. The increase of clear
public understanding of the situation has given
the Industrial evolution such power and such
force that legislation. If either unwise or inn
proper, stand in the face of this public
opinion.
II It can be truly asserted that any eombina-
tion can control or seriously affect the output
of the entire country then surely the subject
and the formation, government and regulation
of such combination becomes a National ques-
tion.
The question of State control and State regu-
lation will, venture 20 predict, in the future
be largely overshadowed by National control,
by National government of what is to-day
fast becoming a National question
The same movement which leads TO the con-
centration under control of the factories OF
eighteen different States will in due time lead
us TO a Capitalization of the power TO create.
maintain and regulate such companies in the
hands of a power higher than is paramount in
any single one of the eighteen States in which
the corporation may choose TO do business.
JAMES b. DILL.