The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-12-05
THE TRUSTS.
They Can De Controlled Only by Ma
tiOnRI ActiOn.

They Can he Controlled Only by Ma
tionRI Action.
In my message to the present congress
at its first session i discussed at length
the question of the regulation of those
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 deslrability of the steps l then
proposed, A fundamental requisite of
social efficiency is high standard of
this Is In no wise inconsistent with pow
er to act in combinati ton for aims which
cannot so we'll be achieved by the indi-
vidual acting alone. A fundamental base
OF civilization is the inviolabllty of prop
erty; but this Is in no wise inconsistent
with the riSht Of society to regulate the
confers upon the owners of property, un-
der the name of corporate franchises, In
such way as to prevent the misuse
ciniiy Combinations OF CORPORA tons.
should be managed under public regula-
ton. Experience has shown that under our
system of government the necessary
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,
these big aggregations are an inevitable
development of modern industrialsm, 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
10 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 coniunc-
Ian h fa1
great Industrial feat by which he wins
money is a welldoer not a wrongdoer.
provided only he works in proper and
a man when he does we'll We wish to
supervise and control his actions only to
prevent him from doing ILL., Publicity
about sparing the dishonest corporation.
Must Exercise Care.
In curbing and regulating the combina-
tions Of capital which are Or may become
Injurious to the public we must be careful
have legitimately reduced the cost OF pro-
euetion. not to abandon the. place which
Se ae word Of
strike down wealth with the result or clos
Ing factories and mines, of turning the
Ing the farmer o wRou ssrss market aha for WAT
he grows. Insistence upon the impossible
means Gelay In achieving the possible, ex-
dsfeynse Re o %hs good snd wSs
bad in the existing system. the solute ef-
fort to obstruct any attempt at betterment,
eetrays blindness 10 the historic truth that
wise evolution is the sure safeguard gainst
revolution.
No more important subject can come be-
iore the congress than this Of the regula-
ton OF interstate business. This country
cannot afford to sit supine on the plea that
uhder our peculiar system of government
m n - 4.
conditions. and unable o grapple with them
or to cut out whatever of evil has arisen in
connection with them. The power of the
congress TO regulate interstate commerce
Is an absolute and unqualified grant, and
without limitations other than those pre-
sscrlbeG by the constitution, The congress
"a "a Ws necessary and proper for executing
thls power. and l am satisfied that this |
power has not been exhausted by any leg
evident, therefore. that evils restrictive Of |
commercial freedo- entaiinR restraint
upon national commerce fail within the
reguiative power Of the congress, ana that
sary and proper exercise of congressional
tuthority ts to the enc that such evils should
! believe that monopolies. unjust dis
ordinations, which prevent or cripple |
competition. fraudulent apit alization.
4teer bsb eys In trust and
state trade can be prevented under the pow
er OF the congress to regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the sew |
eral states" through regulations and re-
luirements operating directly upon such |
commerce, the instrumentalities thereof, |
and those engaged therein.
earnestly recommend this subject to the |
consideration Of the congress with a view |
20 the passage of a law reasonable In its |
provisions and effective In its operations.
lpon which the questions can be finally |
aGJudicated that now raise doubts as to
he necessity Of constitutional Amendment
y II prove impossible to accomplish the |
purposes above set forth by such. a law,
then, assuredly. we should not shrink from |
amen6ing the constitution so as to secure |
Sond peradventure the power sought.
The congress. has not heretofore made |
any appropriation for the better enforce |
nent OF the antitrust law as II now stands. |
very much has been done by the depart
nent OF Justice In securing the enforce |
nIent OF this law. but much more could be |
lone II congress would make special ap- |
oropriation for this purpose. to be expended
inGer the direction Of the attorney gen