Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-18
|l(ll4 ! 81 3


OF association. The competitive idea is
distinctly selfish. its cruel creed is every
man for himself 1t is the final express
sion OF individuality. the apotheosiS OF
personal greed 1t is principle of human
conduct unsuitcd TO modern needs. and in
,olerabic Under modern conditions. I'm
PEELED by unconscious, but Irresistible mo
Ives, partly commercial and partly al
trnisii2. We are struggling. in one way
OF another TO realize the broader and
more humane idea Of fraternity. The
theory OF unrestricted competition can
not be made 10 harmonic With current
facts. Every combination and assocla-
ton. whether of capitalists or artisans
is a repuGiation OF the teachings and z
denial OF its nretentions. Allthe new anG
marvellous methods of conducting buSi
ness. all the aims OF those who live 3,
their daIty toll. all the philanthropic ano
charitable movements of the day. az
evidences of 9 more catholic spirit an
Of a moro intelligent ard pracuca! reco:
milton OF mutual dependence AganS
all the purposes of modern activity. run
ming counter in ann and purpose to tn
noble idea Of associated lie. is the act
OF Congress; il condemns as uniawfui
and criminal the characteristic develop
mercial. and if realized in administration,
would releCate us to the theories and
practices of the seventeenth century IN
stead we should recognize tendency
which na0ifcsts itself everywhere. and Is
as irresistible as human progress. ana
seek to curb its excuses and to cheek
lis abuses. The result of our present at
tempt is futile and the sooner we realize
that spring frcshet cannot be stayed
by brush fence the sooner we shall
he able to direct the current into useful
channels. To say that there shall be 10
restraint upon competition when the ne
cessity OF that restraint is so apparent,
IS 10 say that the rule of law which
may have been needful in the times OF
James /. is TO be tho rule Of conduct in
he United States in the twentieth cen
tuiy.
IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICT.
This Fundamental departure in the
sherman law from the ell-s:ounded and
benefcent principle OF the common law
brings about an iyrcconcilable conflict be-
tween an act of Congress and the most
hopeful desires and achievements OF our
day This explains to my mind. its utter
failure as . remedial measure. so lar
from accomplishing its intended purpose
the Sherman act has indirectly aided
and in many cases compelled. the very
results it was intended TO prevent. Ihls
is 50. because. under modern methods Of
production and distribution. II there can
lie no restraint upon competitive ac'ioh'
some form of consolidation Is inevitable
The commercial strife which must be car
7ied on at every point and at all times
uu1nitigatsd by reasonable agreements
an end only in combination and destruc-
don. TO prohibit any restraint on bust
less competition. any ameloratIon OF Its
Destructive warfare. is to make impotent
III efforts at legal control. and to intensl-
a. the evils against which those efforts
have been directed. II my judgment, no
legislation Gpon this subject Is SO much
needed or would prove SO salutarE as
hat which would bring the Federal stat
ltes into conformity with the wise ana
wholesome rule Of the common law
III is for this reason that I especially
or,1me1,d the pregnant and illuninatons
mech of Attorlley-G enerai Knox before
ne Pittsburg Chamber Of Commerce.
Others doubtless have perceived the dss-
.inction he pointed ont, which | have
hls attempted to emphasize. Eat ne Is
,Iniost alone among the men OF lfo!ii-
lcnce in having courage enough 10 III
| Iicate the proper policy 10 be pursued
In dealing with the trust question. how
| ayar r,l1ch his Jews may run counter
y, current legislation. ] am not hopeful
a7o,,oi, Ia a%l1ect that real progress VIII
-, made in mitigating the evils Whlch
3ttand our modern combinations until we
| recognize that they have come to stay
| md that they represent on the "ho!E-
aot only a wiser and better princinia
| in business affairs. but larger conception
| public welfare and growing teeHhs
/ # iraterralisnl. So long as we UNDERTAKE
| 10 say that competitive methods shaii
| subject 10 no restraint whatever, ara
! .tteInpt 10 cnfc-ce competition as the
universal rul. Of conduct contenring our
selves with rilns up penalties against
! hose who either agree with one arothe'
ar destroy one another we shall neither
ontrol the evils. actual or apprehended
ar aid in the useful development OF
| he new fundamentally Of prodicuoU
nd distribution. " hen we recognize an
economic principle. which can neither ns
| spored nor destroyed when we seek &c
ontrol the new forces OF our clVliiza'lol
md not to prevent their exercise When we
.ccept the inevitable. and, on The Whole
he desirable. and shape our Legislative
,olicy accordingly. we shan sIano OF
old ground and be prepared tor pracu
al and useful action In the WeishtS
lords of President Roosevelt 'lnslstenc'
pom the impossible means delay II
| ,chieyins the possible