The Iola register., 1901-12-06

The growth of cities has gone on be-
yond comparison iaster than the growth
Of the country, and the upbuilding OF the
great industrial centers has meant a
startling increase not merely in the ag-
sregate of wealth, but IN the numDer of
very large Individual and especially Of
very large corporate fortunes. The crea-
tion OF these great corporate fortunes
has not been due to the tariff nor to any
other governmental action, but to natur-
al causes in the business world. operat-
ing in other countries as they operate in
The process has aroused much antago-
nism, a great part OF which Is wholly
without warrant. 1t Is not true that as
the rlch have grown richer the poor nave
grown poorer On the contrary, never be
lore has the average man, the wage
worker, the farmer, the small trauer
been well off as in this country and
at the present time. There have been
abuses connected with the accumulation
OF wealth, yet 1t remains true that a for
tune acCumuiE ted In legitimate business
can be accumulated by the person spe-
Cially benefited only on condition Of con-
ferring immense incidental benefits upon
others. Successful enterprise of the type
which Dement'S all mankind can only ex-
ist IL the conditions are such as to offer
great prizes as the rewards of success.
Deal with Caution.
The captains of industry who have driv-
en- the rattway systems across this conu-
nent, who have built up our commerce,
who have developed our manufactures,
nave on the whole done great good to our
people. Without them the material deyel-
opment OF which we are so justly proud
could never have taken place. Moreover,
we should recognize the immense impor-
tance to this material development OF
leaving as unhampered as Is compa tibe
with the public good the strong and force
ful men upon whom the success OF busi-
ness operations inevitably rests. The
alightest study OF business conditions Will
satisfy anyone capable Of forming a
judgment that the personal equation Is
operation; that the business ability OF the
man at the head of any business concern.
big or little, is usually the factor which
fixes the gulf between striking success ana
hopeless failure.
ing with corporation Is to be found In the
International commercial conditions of to-
day. The same business conditions which
have produced the great .sBgregauons OF
corporate and individual wealth have
made them very potent factors in inter-
national commercial competition. Busi-
ness concerns which have the largest
means at their disposal and are managed
which take the lead IN the strife for com
mercial supremacy among the nations of
the world. America has only just begun
to assume that commanding position IN
the iutCruattoua business world which
we believe will more and more be hers. II
Is of the utmost Importance that this po-
sition be not jeop1rdCd, especially at time
when the overlooking abundance OF our
own natural resources and the skill. bust
ness energy and mechanical aptitude of
our people make foreign markets essen
ial Under such conditions 10 would be
most unwiSc to cramp or TO fettCr the
youthful strength Of our nation
Careful Legislation Needed.
Moreover. 1t cannot too often be- poiuttL
out that to strike with ignorant N.ulcucc
at the interests of one set ot men almost
inevitably eudaugers the Interests OF all.
The fundamental rule la our national litc-
the rule which uuucrlcs all others, Is that
on the whole and in the iJuE run We shall
go up or down together There are tXCCp-
uous, and IN times of prosperity some will
prosper tar more and In tunes OF auVerSi-
" some Will suffer tar more than others.
but, speaking generally, period Of good
times means tnat all share more or less
in them, and in "A period Of hard times all
teel the stress to a greater or less uegree.
1t surely ought not to be necessary to en-
ter into any proof OF this statement. The
memory of the lean years which began in
lNS is stiil vivid, and We eau contrast
them with the conditions In this very year
which is now closing. Disaster TO great
business enterprises can never have Its ef-
fects limited 10 the men at the top IL
spreads throughout. and while 1t is bad
for everybodys 1t is worse for those far
thest Gown The capitalist may be shorn
of his luNuries, hut the wsgeworker may
be deprived OF even bare necessities
The mechanism of modern business Is so
delicate that extreme care must be taken
not 10 interfere with Il In a spirit Of rash
ness or ignorance. Many Of those who
have made 1t their vocation to denouncr
are popularly. although with technical ii
accuracy. known as trusts" appeal espe
clally TO hatred md fear These are pre-
cisely the two emotions, particularly when
combined with ignorance. which UNIT me
for the exercise of cool and steady iudg-
ment. In facing new industrial conditions
the whole history of the world shows that
legislation will generally be both unwise
ana ineHective unless undertaken after
calm inquiry and with sober self restraint
Much OF tho legislation directed at the
trusts would have been exceedingly mis-
chevous had II not also been entirely In
enectlVe. In accordance with we'll
known sociological law the ignorant or
reckless agitator has been the really ef-
tective friend OF the evils which he has
been nominally opposing. In dealing with
business interests for the government to
undertake by crude and ill-consldered leg
station TO do what may turn out to be
had would be 10 incur the risk OF such
Iar-reaching national disaster that It
would be preferable to undertake nothing
az all The men who demand the impos-
sible or the undesirable serve as the allies
" the forces with which they are noml-
nally at war for they hamper those who
would endeavor to find out In rational
Iashion what the wrongs really are and to
what extent and in what manner n is
q IL Ia fn ,I,s