Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-12-05
THE TRCsTs.
They Can he Controlled Only by Ma
tiOnal Action.

tiOnal Action.
In my message to the present congress
at It's first ession | discussed at lens TIL
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
past year has emphasized, in my opin-
Ion. the desirability of the steps ! then
proposed A fundamental requisite of
social efficiency is high standard of
individual energy and excellence: but
this is IN no wise Inconsistent with pow
-er TO act In combination for aims which
cannot so we'll be achieved by the indi-
vid9al acting alone: A fHnd ia,,a, ia base
erty; but this Is In no wise inconsistent
with the right of society to regulate the
exercise of the artificial powers which 1t
coniers upon the owners owners OF p ropehr,ty, un
such a way as to prevent the misuse
OF these powers. Corporations. and espe-
o!aly combinations OF t e6rPor TsaIs
ton. Experience has shown that underou
system of government the necessary
supervision cannot De obtained ny state
national action. Our aim Is not to do
away with corporations; on the contrary.
these big aggregations are an Inevitable
development of modern industrlalism. and
the effort to destroy them would be futile
unless accomplished In, ways that would
work the utmost mischief to the entire
h00X VOllt1c. we can 40 UOtuluS vi 6oOu
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 90 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
the public good. We draw the line
against misconduct, not against wealth.
The capitalist who alone or in conjunc-
ton with his fellows. performs some
great Industrial feat by which he wins
provided only he works in proper and
legitimate lines. We wish to favor such
a man when he does well. We wish to
supervise and control ms actions Only TO-
can do no harm to the honest corpora
ton; and we need not be overtender
about sparlng the dishonest corporation.
Must Exercise Care.
In curbng and regulating the comblna-
tions of capital which are or may become
injurious to the public we must he careful
not to stop the great enterprises which
have legltimately reduced the cost Of pro-
our country has. won In the leadership of
The International industrial world. not to
strike down wealth with the result OF clos
ing factories and mines, OF turning the
wage-worker idle IN the streets and ieav-
Ing the farmer without market for what
he grows. Insstepce upon the impossible
actiy as. on the other hand. the stubborn
defense alike of what is good and what's
bad In the existing system. the resolute ef-
fort to obstruct any attempt al betterment
betrays 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-
lion 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 of the new
conditions. and unable to grapple with them
or to cut out whatever of evil has arisen In
congress to regulate interstate commerce
IS an absolute and unqualified grant, and
without Limitations other than those pre-
has constitutional authority to make all
laws necessary and proper for executing
this power. and am, satisfied that this
power has not been exhausted by any leg
evident therefore. .het evils restrictive Of