Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-03
A VETERAN sTArEsMAN,s VIEWS.

Abram s. Hewitt Of New York, for
merly a prominent democratic leader
and a man of large experience in prac-
teal affairs, but now retired from both
business and politics, discussed In a re-
cent interview existing conditions, with
special reference to the relations of cap
ital and labor and to industrial combina-
lions. Mr.. Hewitt expressed the opinion
that the country is running in the right
and safe trend and said he had conf
dence in the future of our public prog
ress. The vast organizations Of capital
and the community of interests he did
not regard as being inimical to the pub
lie interests, If placed under proper reg
ulations, but rather of value to the coun-
try. He urged publicity as a necessary
protection against unjust and illegal
combinations of capital. ut is mani
fest he said, that the right method of
settlement involves publicity as to the
profits of business. There is undoubt-
eddy great reluctance and some ground
of objection to the disclosure of cost and
profits, but as a matter of fact the trans
fer Of business to large corporations has
really made this information public
property"
He thought the objection to trusts is
not to be found in the magnitude OF their
operations, which in the modern devel-
opment Of industry is unavoidable. 1t
is only when the trust attempts TO create
a monopoly and succeeds In destroying
competition that 1t becomes injurious to
the public welfare. Mr.. Hewitt regards
1t as extremely doubtful whether 1t is
possible to maintain in this country an
effective monopoly. publicity, inspec-
ton and discussion are the great safe
guards which the public can apply in
order to correct abuses. All ~organiza-
lions which avail themselves Of the pro-
visions of the law for the creation Of
corporations should be required to re-
port the result OF their business and be
open to the inspection and scrutiny Of
public officers appointed for the purpose.
Publicity as to profits and losses would
at once remove the most serious cause of
strikes, which often take place when 1t
is impossible for the employer to con-
cede the demands Of his men, because
his profits will not warrant the eonces-
sion. With proper information, the In
t~elligence Of the workmen may be relied
upon not to make an issue which can
only result in failure"
Always a friend Of labor, Mr.. Hewitt
regards it's organization as legitimate
and necessary. 1T should be a matter
Of congratulation that the formation Of
trades unions contempOraneously with
the rapid growth of large corporations
whose stock is divided into such small
shares as to admit of easy distribution,
clears the way for the new era when
every intelligent workman will insist
upon being an owner and every well
managed corporation viii see that its
workmen are directly interested in the
results of the business. To effect this
desirable end no compulsory legislation
and no addition to the powers OF cor
poratlons are needed" In the opinion of
Mr.. Hewitt the industrial world has been
steadily moving in the right direction
for the welfare of mankind and he be
lieyes it is not necessary to invoke any
new principles of government or to in
augurate any revolution in order thai
capital and labor may be associated to
gether in peace and harmony.
These views OF q man who has beer