Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-02

OuSll anu Cdu DG uOuSe III IuC lltlISl.
Need Additional Power.
''We need additional power, and we
need knowledge. Our constitution
was formed when the economic con-
ditons were so different that each state
could wisely be left to handle the COR
porations within it's limits as it saw
fit. Nowadays all the numerous COR
porations which / am considering do
what is really an interstate business,
and as the states have proceeded on
very different lines of regulating them
they are often organized in a state in
which they do little or no business,
and do an enormous business in other
states, to the spirit of whose laws they
may be openly antagonistic
at might be better If all the states
could agree to work along the same
lines in dealing with these corpora
lions, but | see not the slightest pros
pect of such agreement. Therefore I
personally feel that ultimately the ma
ton will have to assume the RESPONSE
bility of regulating these very largo
corporations which do an Interstate
business. The states must combine
to meet the problem caused by the
great combinations of capital, and the
easiest way for the states to combine
is by action through the national gov
eminent.
II am well aware that the process
of constitutional amendment is neces
sarily slow one, and one into which
our people are reluctant to enter, save
| for the best of reasons; but am con.
fdent that in this instance the rea,
sons exist. | am aware that there
will he difficulty in framing an amend,
ment which will meet the objects OF
| the case, and yet which will secure
the necessary support. The very fact
that there must be delay in securing
the adoption of such an amendment,
insures full discussion and calm con-
sideration of the whole subject, and
will prevent any ill-considered action.
Obstacles Can Be Met.
81 have no intention of trying to out
line the proper phraseology of such an
| amendment. for ! know it must come
as a matter of agreement and discus
sion But / firmly believe that all
these obstacles can be met if only we
face them both with the determine
ton to overcome them in ways which
shall not do damage to the country as
a whole; which, on the contrary, shall
i further our industrial development,
and shall help instead of hindering all
corporations which work their success
by means that are just and fair toward
all men.
without the adoption of a constitu-
tional amendment my belief is that
good deal can be done by law. 1t is
difficult to say exactly how much, be-
T cause experience has taught us that
: in dealing with these subjects where
, the lines dividing the rights and du-
ties of the states and of the nation are
: in doubt, it has sometimes been diff
; cult for congress to forecast the ac-
/ ton of the courts upon it's legislation.
Z Such legislation whether obtainable
| now or obtainable only after consti-
i tutional amendmenD should provide
: for a reasonable, supervision, the most
4 prominent feature of which at first
/ should be publicity; that is the max
. ing public. both to the governmental
a authorities and to the people at large,
g the, essential facts in which the pub
: lie is concerned. This would give us
exact knowledge of many points which
2 are now not only in doubt, but the
t subject of fierce controversy.
: Publicity Can Do Much.
h "Moreover the mere fact of the pub
e LEGATION would cure some very grave
i evils. for the light of day is deter
II rent to wrong doing. 1t would doubt
!, less disclose other evils with which
: for the time being we could devise no
It way to grapple. Finally. it would dis
l. close others which could be grappled
e with and cured by further legislative
il action.
= Il advocate action which the Presi-
y dent only can advise and which he has
If no power in himself to take. Under
re our present legislative and constitu-
d tional limitations the national execu-
tive can work only between narrow
IS lines in the field of action concerning
y great corporations. Between those
n lines assure you that exact and even
Of handed justice will be dealt. and is be
e ing dealt to all men without regard to
ir persons.
: 81 wish to repeat with all emphasis
y that desirable though it is that the ma
d ton should have the power | suggest
II it is equally desirable that it should
ID be used with wisdom and self-restraint
IS The mechanism of modern business il
ie tremendous in it's size and complexity
g and ignorant intermeddling with i
le would be disastrous. We should no
" be made timid or daunted by the size
le of the problem; we should not fear t,
II undertake it; but we should undertake
le it with ever present in our minds
- dread of the sinister spirits of rancor
~ ignorance and vanity. We need t.
keep steadily in mind the fact that be
sides the tangible property in eacl
corporation there lies behind the spiri
l., which brings it success, and in tn,
~ ~ case of each very successful corpora
~ ton this is usually the spirit of som'
II one man or set of men.
m, Management is Everything.
~ "Under exactly similar conditions
I'd one corporation will make stupen
az dous success where another makes
N stupendous failure, simply because On
~ is we'll managed and the other is not
oy While making it clear that we d., nc
he intend to allow wrong doing by one o
- the captains of industry any more. thai