The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-12-05

~ tne historic truth that wise evolution
Is Sne sure safeguard agains revolution.
Eo more important, subject can come
oelore the congress than this of the reg
ulatlon OF interstate business, This coun-
NJ ny eah not AFFORD to sit supine on the
pred that under our peculiar system of
soNerhment we are helpless in the pre-
asnce OF the new conditions, and unable to
slapple with them. The power of the
congress TO regulate interstate
Is an absolute and unqualified grant. and
without limitations other than those nre-
seflped by the Constitution. The con-
sress mas constitutional authority to
make all laws necessary and prnner for
sAecutitS ms power, and | am salts
NED that this power has not been
exhausted by any legislation now on the
statute books. 1t is evident, therefore.
that evils restrictive of commercial free,
uom and entailing restraint upon national
eommeree fall within the regulative
power or the congress-, and that a wise
and reasonable law would be a necessary
ana proper exercise of congressional ali-
thorlty to the end that such evils should
be eradicated.
crlHalnationS which prevent or cripple
competition, fraudulent decentralization
ana other evils in trust organizations and
practices which injuriously affect inter-
state trade can be prevented under the
power or the congress to regulate COM
merce with foreign nations and among
the several states through regulations
and requirements operating directly up
on such commerce, the Observation-Disclosures
thereof, and those engaged therein.
IL earnestly recommend this subject to
the consideration of the congress with a
view to the passage of a law reasonable
IN its provisions and effective in it's op-
eratlons, upon which the questions can
be finally adjudicated that now raise
doubts as to the necessity of constitu-
tional amendment If it prove impossible
to accomplish the purposes above set
forth by such a law, then, assuredly, we
should not shrink from amending the
Constitution so as to secure beyond per-
adventure the power sought.
The congress has not heretofore made
any appropriation for the better enforce
ment Of the antitrust law as it now
stands. Very much has been done by the
department {, Justice in securing the en-
forcement of this law, but much more
could be done if congress would make a
special appropriation for this purpose to
be expended under the direction of the
Tariff Must Not he Disturbed.
One propositioa advocated has been the
reduction of the ,aiin as a means OF
reaching the evils OF the trusts which
fall within the category | have described.
Not merely would this be wholly ineffect-
i've. but the diversion of our efforts in
such a direction would mean the abandon
ment of all intelligent attempts to do
away with these evils. Many of the
largest corporations, many of those which
should certainly be included in any prop
er scheme of regulation, would not be
affected in the slightest degree by a
change in the tariff, save as such change
interfered with the general prosperity of
the country. The only relation of tn"
tariff to big corporations as a
whole is that the tariff makes
manufacture profitable, and the tar
if remedy proposed would be in eff
feet simply to make manufactures un,
profitable. 10 remove the tariff as a
punitive Measure directed against trusts
would inevitably result In ruin to the
weaker competitors who are struggling
against them. Our aim should be not
by unwise tariff changes to give foreign
products the advantage over domestic
products, but by proper regulation to give
domestic competition a fair chance; and
this end cannot be REACHED by any tariff
changes which would affect unfaNorably
all domestic competitors: good and bad
alike. The question OF regulation OF the
trusts stands apart from the question OF
tariff revision.
Stability of economic obey must al
ways be the prime econOEIiu need of this
/, country. This stability should not be foS-
silization. The country has acquiesced in
the wisdom of the protective tariff prin-
ciple. 1t is exceedingly undesirable that
this system should be destroyed or that
there should be violent and radical
changes therein. Cur past experience
shows that great prosperity IN this coun-
try has always come under a protective
prosper Under titful tariff changes at
short intervals. Moreover. if the tariff
laws as "A whole work well and If bust
ness a-s prospered under them and is
prosperlng, it is better to endure for a
tir4a slight inconvenience and inequall-
ties in some schedules than to upset bust
ne. BY 100 quick and to radical changes.
1t is most earnestly to be wished that we
could treat the tariff from the standpoint
solely of our business needs. 1t Is, per-
haps. too much to nope that partisanshlp
may be entirely excluded from considera-
ton OF the subject, but at least it, can be
made secondary to the business interests
! of the country-that is. to the interests
Of our people as a whole. Unquestionably
- thaca tAiSinnSS intnrSstS vii hest he
1 served If together with nxity O. principle
as regards the tariff, We combine e sys-
TEN which will permit us from time to
time to make the necessary reappllcatlon
!. of the princinlc to the shifting national
! needs. We must take s~crupulous care
that the %reapplica ion shall be made in
such a way that IL will noJ amount to a
dislocation of our system, the mere threat
Of which mot TO speak of the perform
ance) would produce paralysis in the
business energies of the community. Inc
changes would. OF course. be to preserve
the principle which underlies our whole
tariff system that is. the principle OF
! putting American business interests at
least on a fun equality with interests
abroad. and of always allowing a snff-
Gent rate of duty to more than cover the
! difference between the labor cost here and
abroad The well-heing of the wage
worker, like the well-being- of the tiller
Of the so:l should be treated as an essen
.ial in shaping our Whcle economic pohcy.
. n mere IftIS ~ IN Wy 'otA 1870
will jeopardize the standard OF comfort,
the standard Vt wages of the American
Eage-wHker:
sought can be reached is by reciprocity
treaties. 1t is greatly to be desired that
such treaties may be adopted. They can
be used to widen our markets and to
rive a greater field for the activities OF
Dur producers on the one hand, and or
the other hand to secure in practical
shane the lowering OF duties when they
are r.. longer nrsied for protection
amo,ts cor own reoplc, or when the min
imuu, 4 damage done may be disregard.
ed TO. the sake of the maximum OF gooc
Accomplished. If it prove impossible tt
ratify the pending treaties. and II there
seem 20 be no warrant for the endeavOl
] 10 exeo-ite others, or to amend the pend
ing tr, Aties so that they can be ratified
then the same end-to secure reciprocity
-should De met by direct legislation.
Wherever the tariff conditions are Sucf
that a needed change cannot with ad
vantage be made by the application o.
the reciprocity idea. then 1t can be made
outright by a lowering of duties on
given product. If possible. such chang
shoul1 be made only after the fullest con
sheraton by practicalo experts. VIII
should not approach the subject from
business standpoint. having in view bot
the particular interests affected and tn
commercial well being of the people as
whole. The machinery for providini
such careful investigation car. readily. b.
L,aol;aa rho executive department lal