The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-03

corporations exist only because they are
created aud safcguarded by our institu-
tions; and II is therefore our right and
our duty to see that they work in har-
mony with these institutions.
The first essential in determining how
TO deal with the great industrial cOrl-
binations is knowledge OF the facts pub
lefty In the interest OF the public, the
government should have the right 20 in
spect and examine the workings OF the
great corporations engaged in interstate
business. Publicity Is the only sure
remedy which We can now inyoke. What
further remedies are needed I'm the way
OF governmental regulation. or taxation,
can only be determined after publicity
has been obtained. by process OF law,
and In the course OF administration. The
first requisite in knowledge. full and
complete-knowledge which may be made
public 10 tho world.
Artificial bodies, such es corporations
and Joint stock or other associations,
depending upon any statutory law for
their existence or privileges, should be
subject TO proper governmental supervi-
sion. and full and accurate information
as 20 their operations should be made
public regularly at reasonable intervals.
NATIONAL SUPERVISION OF TRUSTS
The large corporations. commonly called
trusts, though organized IN one state,
always do business I'm many states, often
doing very little business in the state
where they are Incorporated. There Is
utter lack OF uniformity In the state
laws abouS them and as no state has any
exclusive interest IN or power over their
acts. it has In practice proved impossible
TO get adequate regulation through state
action. Therefore, In the interest of the
whole people. the nation should, without
interfering with the power OF the states
in the matter itself, also assume power
OF supervision and regulation over all
corporation doing an interstate business.
This is especially true where the COR
poration derives a portion Of its wealth
from the existence OF some monopolistic
element or tendency in its business. There
would be no hardship in such supervision;
banks are subject To It, and in their case
IL is now accepted as a simple matter OF
course. Indeed, IL is probable that su-
pervision of corporations by the national
government need not go so far as is now
the case with the supervision exercised
over them by so conservative a state as
Massachusetts,, in order To produce excel
lent results.
When the constitution was adopted. at
the end OF the 18th century. no human
wisdom could foretell the sweeping
changes alike In Industrial and political
the beginning OF the 10Th century. AT
that time it was accepted as n matter OF
course that the several states were the
proper authorities to regulate, so far as
was then necessary, the comparatively
insignificant and strictly localized corpor-
ate bodies of the day.
The conditions are now wholly different
and wholly different action Is called for.
i believe that law can be framed which
Wi
exercise control along the lines above
indicated; profiting by the experience
gained through the passage and admins
tration of the Interstate-Comm Act.
II, however. the judgment of the con-
gress is that IL lacks the constitutional
power TO pass such an act, then a con-
stitutional amendment should DO sub
mitted to confer the power.
A DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
There should be created cabinet off,
cer1 20 be Kn0wn as secretary or Com
merce and Industries as provided In the
bill introduced at the last session of the
congress. 1t should be his province to
deal with commerce in its broadcast sense;
including among many other things
whatever concerns labor and al matters
Affecting the great business operations
and our merchant ,G2ring
The course proposed is one phase OF
what should be a comprehensive and
far-reaching scheme of constructive
craftsmanship for the purpose OF broad
ening our markets, securing our busi-
ness interests on safe basis, and making
firm our new position I'm the interna-
tioal Industrial world: while scrupulously
safeguarding the rights or wage-worker
and capitalist, of investor and private
citizen, so as TO secure equity as be-
tween man and man i'm this Republic.
With the sole exception OF the farming
interest, no one matter is of such vital
moment to our whole people as the well
fare of the wage-workers. IL the farmer
and the wage-worker are well off, it Is
absolutely certain that all others will be
well of too. 1t is therefore a matter for
hearty congratulation that on the whole
wages are higher today in the United
States than ever before in our history.
and far higher than I'm any other country.
The standard of living Is also higher than
ever before.
Every effort OF legislator and admins
TRAITOR should be bent to secure the per
manency of this condition OF things and
!ts Improvement wherever possible. Not
only must our labor be protected by this
tariff, but II should also be protected So
far as IL is possible from the presence ir
this country OF any laborers brought over
by contact. or of those who. coming free
ly, yet represent standard or living SC
depressed that they can undersell our
men I'm the labor market and drag them
TO a lower level. I regard II as necessary
with this end in view. to re-enact imme-
diately the law excluding Chinese labor
ers and TO strengthen II wherever neces-
sary In order TO make it's enforcement en-
tirely effective.
THE GOVERNMENTS DEMAND.
nc Natfurrrf 6uvcrrrrcrr@- --isotfia- de-
mand the highest quality OF service from
fits employees; and in return IL should be q
good employer. IL possible Legislation
should be passed I'm connection with the
Interstate Commerce Law which will rem
der effective the efforts OF different states
20 do away with the competition OF con
vict contract labor I'm the open labor
market SO far az practicable under the
conditions OF government work. provision
should be made 20 render the enforcement
of the eight-hour law easy and certain. u
all Industries carried on directly or indi
rectly for the United States government
women and children should be protected
| from excessive hours of labor. from nigh
I work. and from work under unsanitarS
! conditions. The government should pro
vide I'm its contracts that all work should
| be done under flair" conditions, and n