The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-13
The PROSLEM.
Publicity the Only Remedy for n
Present.

Publicity the Only Remedy for the
Present.
During the last five years business con-
fdence has been restored, and the ma
ton is to be congratulate because OF It's
present Astounding prosperity. Such pros
perily can never be created by law alone,
although it is easy enough to destroy. 1t
bv mischievous laws. The idle or credu-
lous, who seek gains not by genuine work
but by gambling IL any form, are always
a menace; If the business World roses
supply. Fundamentally the welfare OF
each citizen, and therefore of the nation
must rest upon individual thrift, energy,
resolution and intelligence. Nothing can
take the place OF this individual! capacity;
but wise legislation and honest and intel
ligent administration can give it the full
est scope and opportunity
The tremendous and highly, complex
Industrial development during the
latter half of the nineteenth century
cial problems. The old laws and customs
which had almost the force of law were
once sufficient to regulate accumulation
and distribution OF wealth. Since the In
dGGiyiai changes which have so encrW-
cusly increased the productive power Oh
mankind, they are no longer sufficient.
The growth OF cities has gone on faster
Of industrial centers has meant a start
ling increase. not merely in aggregate
wealth. but IN very large individual and
COZ IpIalJ lDEluilSS. lac CIeSllui VI liieSe
has not been due to the tariff nor to any
other governmental action. but to natural
causes. operating in other countries as
hey operate in our own
The process has aroused much antagon-
ism. a great part of il wholly without
warrant 1t is not true that as the rich
have grown richer the poor nave grown
man been SO we'll off. There have been
abuses, yet p fortune in legitimate bust
pess can be accumulated only on condi-
ton of comforting immense benefits upon
others. Successful enterprise can only
exist if conditions offer great prizes as
rewards of success.
The captains of industry who have driv-
an the railway systems across this con-
tinent, built up out commerce; developed
our manufactures, have done great good.
Without them the material development
could never w taken place. Moreover,
we should recognize the Importance Of
leaving as u~nhamDered as is compatible
with the public good the strong men upon
whom the success of business operations
inevitably rests. The personal equation
is the most important factor In business;
business ability at the head Of any con-
Germ usual1y fixes the gulf between Sue
cess and failure.
The conditions which have produced the
great aggresations of wealth ave made
them potent factors in international com
petition. Business concerns of largest
means, manage by the ablest men, take
the lead in the strife for commercial SUI
remac among the nations. America has
only just begun to assume that
ing position in international business
which We believe will be hers. It Is of
utmost Importance that this position be
not jeoparded. especially at a time when
the abundance of our resources and the
kill and aptitude of our people make for
eiEn markets fa r sssn e%ss er fatte It t would Id be uni
strength OF our nation.
Rise or Fall Together.
Moreover, to strike with ignorant vio-
1ence at one set of men almost Inevitably
endangers all. The fundamental rule in
our national life is that we go up or down
together. There are exceptions; and in
times of prosperity some will prosper, and
in times of adversely some will suffer, far
more than others; but speaking generally.
good times means hat all share more or
less in them. and in hard times all feel
the stress. The memory of the lean years
which began in 1888 is still vivid. Disas-
er have It's effects limited to the men at
the top. The capitalist may be shorn Of
his Injuries, but the w~ageworker may be
deprived of ever bare necessities.
The mechanism OF modern bushes is
so delicate that extreme care must be
taken not to interfere in rashnesse or ig-
norance. Many who have made it their
vocation to d%enounce the industrial COM
binations popularity. although with techni-
cal ~inaccuracy, known as trusts" APP
p psal n eypeIcla1lly {h t. hat hatr eaa and fear ash,o These 15se
fit men for cool judgment. Legislation
will generally be both unwise and ineffec-
tive unless undertaken after calm inquiry
and with sober self-restraint. Much Of
the Legislation directed at the trusts would
have been exceedingly mischievous had
It not also been entirely ineffective. For
ill-considered legislation would be to In
cur the risk of ~far-reaching national dis
aster. The men who demand the impos-
sible or the undesirable serve as the allies
nally at war, for they hamper those who
would endeavor to find out in rational
fashion what the wrongs really are and
In what n it is practicable to apply
remedies. tG
All this Is true, yet there are real and
grave evils, one of the chief being over
capitalization because of it's many bale
ful consequences, and a resolute and prac-
evils.
There is a widespread conviction that
the great corporations known as trusts
are In certain eatures and tendencies
hurtful to the general welfare. This
e~hharisabienezs nor lack Of PRIDE in gseai
Industrial achievements. 1T does not rest
I upon a lack of intelligent appreciation OF
iinns necessity &C. Of meeting CHANGED condi:
fact that combination Of capitalis neces.
ry..S is besed upon sincere convlctfar
be, not prohibited, but supervised and
yiction Is right.
Publicity the Remedy.
tits no limitation upon property rights
or freedom OF contract to require tina
when men receive from government hi
privilege of doing business under corpor.
ate form, which frees them from indi
4 vidualg responsibtl!ty, and enables them te
the public. they shaa do SO upon abso,
luteiy truthfuf Representations as to- The
value Of the property In which the capi
gagged In Interstate conm ercs should hs
Regulated AZ they are foaid to exercise
a license working to the public injury. I
Eseek for social betterment 10 rid the bus
tness world OF crimes ~of&cunning ais Il
rid the entire body polite OF crimes 81
violence, Great corporations exist q