The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-28

village long since disappeared, and all
through the list, includinef almost every
branch of industry, the iarfe plants nave
taken complete possession md forced the
smaller ones from the field. Fhe last step In
this struggle has been TO cos1bine all these
great plants under one management and
thereby reduce the expense of operation.
and from this last effort q minimize ex-
penses have come these imrkense establish
ments which are considerec a menace to
the welfare of the people
'In defense of these grea organizations
il is claimed that they are d signed to econ
omize production and thereity better enable
our manufacturers to COMPETE in the open
markets of the world and tlus be able TO
give additional employment TO labor and
relieve the congestion In ting home market
That such a thing is possible no one can
deny, but that that was tn sole incentive
to the formation OF these corporations
great majority of the peoplG are inclined to
doubt.
ssThe people look with tdisfavor upon
these institutions becausef whether de-
signed or not. they are posstssed of almost
unlimited power in the regl-ation of prices
and production They are capable OF ac-
complishing great good Wien directed by
those who manage them insa proper man
ner and spirit; they are capable OF great
harm when controlled bI mercenary
hand. But few men can resist the use OF
power for selfish ends, anot with a knowl-
edge of this truth the peoIke demand that
these establishments be ptced under the
control of law. The offenseSthen is not I'm
the organization and opethtiou OF these
great corporations; they may be utilized as
valuable aids to commerce. They are not
unlawful per Sc, and no ono could or would
punish them for this act al sne. The wrong,
IL any wrong has been com Shifted. is In the
abuse and not In the usefof the powers
possessed by them. The only remedy. there
fore, is to enact legislation 70 regulate and
not to destroy them.
I'VE have heard much abtut a law 10 re-
quire corporations engages in interstate
commerce to disclose to TIE public their
condition. proceedings, etcE Mr.. Bryan, In
opening the Democratic campaign in the
State of Missouri. advocateF the enactment
of such measure. III Mr.. fsryan will read
the interstate-commerce LAZY, he viii find
that that has been the laws for years. The
fact that We now have are have had for
years a law to compel railroad companies
engaged In interstate comrlerce. TO make
full and complete disclosuSes as to their
conditions, ETC., and that mis- clamor has
been going out without arr, knowledge OF
the fact Is very striking illustration Of
the value of the remedy OF lslblicity. think
l have shown the great diffieulty In the way
of the enactment of any law within the
bounds OF constitutional liissits, that would
remedy the dangers of thee gigantic cor
porations. If IL is east. why has not
some Democrat come forwSrd with ma
tured plan and urged its kdoption? They
have proposed nothing thk have Opposed
everything; and by their WEES defeated the
passage OF constitutional amendment
through the House. TO enlfrge the powers
of the federal government.
THAT the great powers II these corpora
tons have been and win bdused, that their
rapacity, unless curbed. VIII lead to disor-
der, that they are mena9- to the general
welfare, there is not the Slightest question
but the danger is that I'm -Four zeal to re-
strain their powers withink due bounds we
may infiict injuries that tyill react upon
ourselves with terrible effect The abest
lawyers in the country ase studying the
question and will solve S1e problem as
they have solved every greg problem which
has arisen in the past to msnace the rights.
liberties and properties ofsthe people. We
can rest assured that whatever remedy
may be devised, will be Enforced by the
| President, whose sincerity hnd whose hon.
| esty i'm his efforts to restrafi these corpora
| tons within due bounds, r, one will ques-
( tion-n