The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-02

only he works in proper and legitimate
lines we wsh to tayoI e.. ,.S :Ses % .upsra pan
wise and control his actions only 10 pre-
vent him from doing III Puoncity CA,
do no harm TO the honest corporation. an, sIn
we need not be overtender about sparinB
the dishonest corporation.
POWER OF CONGRESS ABSOLUTE
In curbing and regulating the combi-
come injurious to the public we must be
careful not to stop the great enterprises
which have legitimately reduced the COST
OF production, not to abandon me ne p.aSSe paSe
world. not to strike down wealth with
the result Of elosns ale nne IN the
streets and leaving the farmer without q
market for what he grows inslstence
upon the imp"ss,oIs snsety ss ss us on the
other hand. the stubborn deien.e anxe
OF what Is good and what Is BAD - me
existing system, the resoipte emor. 20 Ss- S
trays blindness to the historic trutn tnMSs
wise evolution Is the sure Afeguaro
40 more important subject can come
before the congress than this OF tho reg
ulation of interstate business. This coun-
try can not AFFORD to sit supine on tho
plea that under our peculiar system OF
government we are helpless In the pres
ence OF the new conditions, and unable to
grapple with them or TO cut out what
ever Of evil has arisen In connection with
them. The power OF tho congress to
regulate interstate commerce In an Alb
solute and unqualified grant. and without
limitations other than those prescribed
by the constitution. The congress 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 legislation
now on the statute books II Is evident.
therefore, that evils restrictive OF COM
mercfal freedom and entailing restraint
upon national commerce fall within the
regulative power Of the congress. and that
a wise and reasonable law would be
necessary and proper exercise Of congress
sional authority 10 the end that rich
evils should be eradicated
EVILS CAN De PREVENTED.
I believe that nlonopolies. unjust dis
ordinations which prevent or cripple
competition. fraudulent overcapitanza-
ton. and other evils in trust orgariza-
tions and practices which inJuriousiy
affect interstate trade can be prevented
under the power OF the congress to
regulate commerce with foreign nations
and among the several states through
regulations and requirements operating
directly upon such commerce, the instri-
mentahties thereof. and those engaged
therein.
/ earnestly recommend this subject to
the consideration OF the congress with
view TO the passage OF law reasonable
In It's provisions and effective In Its opera
tions, upon which the questions can be
finally adjudicated that now raise doubts
as 10 the necessity OF constitutional
amendment. If II prove impossible to ac-
complish the purposes above set forth
l7xy l.,x~
not shrink from amending the constitu-
ton so as TO secure beyond peradventure
the power sought.
The congress has not heretofore made
any appropriation for the better enforce
ment OF the antitrust law as II now
stands. Very much has beon done by the
department OF justice In securing the en-
forcement OF this law. but much more
could be done II congress would make
special appropriation for this purpose, to
be expended under the direction OF the
attorney general
One proposition advocated has been the
reduction OF the tariff as means OF
reaching the evils of the trusts which fall
within the category l have described.
Not merely would this be wholly ineffec-
tive. but the diversion OF our efforts in
such direction would mean the aban-
donment of all Intelligent attempt to do
away with these evils. Many OF the lar
gest corporations. many of those which
should certainly he included in any
proper scheme of regulation. would not be
affected In the slightest degree by
change In the tariff. save as such change
interfered with the general prosperity OF
the country.
The only relation Of the tariff to big
corporations as a whole II that the tarifr
makes manufactures profitable ana the
tariff remedy proposed would he In effect
simply to make manufactures unprofiia-
bile, To remove the tsrin as a punitive
measure directed against trusts would
Inevitably result In ruin 20 the wcake-
competitors who are struggling against
them. Our aim should be not by un-
wise tariff changes 10 give foreign prod
ucts the advantsge over domesnc prod
ucts. but by proper resula don 10 give
domestic competition a fair chance. and
this end cannot be reached BY any tariff
changes which would snest untavorsbly
all domestic competitors. good and bad
alike. The question OF regulation OF the
trusts stands apart from the question
OF tariff revision