The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-12-04
THE TRUSTS,
They Can BE Controlled Only by Ma
fiODal Action,

In my message to the present congress
, ct Its first session discussed at length
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
past year has emphasized, In my opin-
Ion, the desirability of the steps ! then
proposed. fundamental requisite of
social efficiency is a high standard of
Individual energy and excellence; but
this 10 In no wise inconsistent with pow
er to act in comb.nati for aims which
cannot so well be achieved by the indi-
vidual acting alone. A fundamental base
Of civilization Is the inviolability of prop
erty; but this Is In no wise inconsistent
with the right of society to regulate the
exercise Of the artificial powers which 1t
confers upon the owners OF property, un-
der the name Of corporate franchises, In
Of these powers, Corporations, and espe-
clally combinations of corporations,
should be managed under public regula-
tion. Experience has shown that under our
Supervision Cannot be obtained by state
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
D00Y pOlitlc. we can 90 nOtnlnR Oh BOOu
in the way Of regulating and supervising
these corporations until We nix 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
|, 70 them; we are merely determined that
Athsy shall be 80 handled as to subserve
Hhe public good. We draw the line
Rgainst misconduct. not against wealth.
1.-THE capitalist who. alone or In conjunc-
reat Industrial feat by which he wins
honey 10 q welldoer. not wrongdoer.
u fovided only he works In proper and
legitimate lines. We wish to favor such
Superyise and control his actions only to
prevent him from doing iii. Publicity
can do no harm to the honest corpora
don; and We need not be overtender
iaahout sparing the dishonest corporation.
n Must Exercfse Care.
m curbing and regulating the combina-
tions ~ 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-
our country has won In the leadership of
tSA International Industrial world. not to
!, strike dawn wealth with the result of clos
i Ing factories and mines. of turning the
Wage-worker idle In the streets and feav-
inG the farmer without a market for what
s Sc growa Insistence upon the impossible
means delay IL achieving the possible; ex-
ectly as, gn the other hand. the STUBBORN
defense alike Ct what is good and what Is
bad In the existing system. the resolute eff
fort 10 obstPuct any attempt at betterment,
: betrays blindness TO the historic truth that
I wise evolution ID the sure safeguard against
revolution.
Ito more important subject can come be-
I6fe the congress than this Of the regula-
R,1l1~ Of interstate business. This country
~ encrd to sit supine on the plea that
II A4ur-pnculiar system OF government
r. 80 nol6lksa m the presence Of the new