Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1902-12-04
THE TRUSTS.
They Can Be Controlled Only by Ma
tiOnal Action.

In my message to the present congress
at it's first session I discussed at leng tn
the question Of the regulation of those
big corporations commonly doing an in
terstate business, often with some ten
dency to monopoly, which are popularity
known as trusts. The experience of the
ion the desirability of the steps then
proposed. A fundamental requisite of
social efficiency is a high standard of
Individual energy and excellence; but
er to act in combination for aims which
cannot so well be achieved. by the indi-
dGa Is bfS 6f
erty; but this is in no wise inconsistent
with the right of society to regulate the
exercise Of the artificial powers which it
der the name of corporate franchises, in
such way as to prevent the misuse
of these powers. Corporations, and espe-
should be managed under public regula-
ton. Experience has shown that under our
system of government the necessary
action. 1t must therefore be achieved by
national action. Our aim is not to do
away with corporations; on the contrary,
development of modern industrialism, and
the effort to destroy them would be futile
unless accomplished in ways that would
work the utmost mischief TO- the entire
body polite. We can do nothing of good
In the way of regulating and supervising
these corporations until we fix clearly in
our minds that we are not attacking the
corporations, but endeavoring to do away
with any evil in them. We are not hostile
to them; we are merely determined that
they shall be so handled as to subserve
against misconduct, not against wealth.
The capitalist who, alone or in conjunc-
ton with his fellows, performs some
money is a Welldoer, not, wrongdoer:
prOvided only he works in proper and
legitimate lines. we wish to favor such
a man when ne does we vel; .i we wish to
prevent him from doing i'll. Publicity
can do no harm to the honest corpora
ton; and we need not be overtender
about sparing the dishonest corporation.
Must Exercise Care.
In curbing and regulating the combina-
tons Of capital which are or may become
Injurious to the public we must be careful
not to stop the great enterprises which
have iegitimately reduced the cost of pro-
dhuction, not to abandon the place which
our country has won in the leadership of
the international = inSu ~ world, not to
ing factories and mines, Of turning the
wage-worker idle In the streets and leav-
ing the farmer without market for what
he grows. Insistence upon the impossible
means DELAY in achieving the possible, ex-
eactly as, on the other hand, the stubborn
defense alike of what Is good and what is
bad in the existing system, the .resolute eff
fort to Obstruct any attempt at betterment,
ibetrays blindness to the historic truth that
wise evolution is the sure safeguard against
revolution.
No more important subject can come be-
fore the congress than this Of the regula-
tion Of interstate business. This country
cannot afford to sit supine on the plea that
under our peculiar system of government
we are helpless in the presence or the new
conditions, and unable to grapple with them
or to cut out whatever Of evil has arisen in
connection with them The power Of the
Is an absolute and unqualified grant, and
Without limitations other than those pre-
scribef by the constitution The congress
has constitutional authority to make al, al
this power, and I am. satisfied that this
power has not been exhausted by. any leg
islation now on the statute books. It is
evident. therefore. that evils restrictive OF