The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1902-09-10
THE TRUST PROBLEM
NEITHER POLITICAL PARTY CAN
AGREE ON A SOLUTION.
New York journal Of Commerce ee.
lieves Legislation Is Imperative,
and Presents Definite Policy
Vague Discussion unproductive.


ion of the trust problem. President
Roosevelt favors additional legislation
If the restrictive sort. especially, II
s understood. in the direction of
publicity" He has not hesitated to
propose constitutional amendment
power upon Congress to |
reach trusts that are rot engaged In |
commerce. and men of the |
Littlefield school are in accord with |
him. On the other hand. the Cum.
Minis sort of Republicans, while favor
ing the publicity remedy. are disposed
to attach more importance to the in
direct method of attacking the mon
opolistic trusts-that Of tarih rcduc-
ton on goods competing with trust.
manufactured products, This is the
Iowa idea" and it is destined to grow
In popularity.
The Democrats are likewise
house divided against itself on the
trust question. Judge Griggs, Mr..
Villas and the "reorganilers" generally
would attack tr2sts through the tariff
and have little or no faith in regula'
ton and restriction. Mr. Bryan and
his followers, on the other hand, are
Indifferent to this indirect method and
demand stringent national legislation,
constitutional amendment for the
more effective control of trusts, etc.
These Emergencies will necessarily
affect the political discussion of the
subject.
In the circumstances actually eX-
listing neutral nonpartisan and care
full programs or outlines of trust leg
islation deserve attention and study.
Our Independent and able contempt
rary, the New York Journal of Com
merce, has just presented It's own
solution of the problem. 1t believes
that definite trust policy Is the need
of the hour, and that new Legislation
is imperative. To what end or ends
shout. new legislation be directed
Here is the answer:
81. Protect competition as the most
effective preventive of monopoly.
"2. Reduce the tariff to a moderate
revenue basis. especially on products
dominated by large corporations.
"3. Reform state corporation laws
which now permit one state to openly
| defeat the laws of another state, do
J Ing elsewhere acts unlawful within it,
own borders.
-. Reform legislation permittin,
monopolies based upon patents ant
public franchises.
80. Secure reasonable publicity Il
the affairs of large corporations.
IS. Secure national laws agalns
Hctional capitalization of corporations
~. Establish government supervi'
ion o. real or national monopolies.
IS. Enact such laws as may be ne,
essary to protect small rivals frol
unjust competition.
80. Compel public officers to
stricter enforcement of existing law
against restraint of trade.
40. Oppose vigorously all legisl,
ton leaning toward public ownership
preferring government supervision a
safer and more efficient than sociali
tic control"
Eight of these planks will be a.
ceptable to all reasonable, progre
sive and public-spirited citizen
though we are bound to point out thu
a plank l is indefinite and plank 8
repetition or reafiirmation of the frs
The principle, however, is thorough
sound. Let Socialists say what the
Please about the failure of compel
ton. Except In the sphere of natur;
monopoly, of the so-calle | publ
, utilities" competition, actual or p
tential, is still the life of trade" Il
effective safeguard of the consumer
interests.
The debatable planks are thes,
Reduce the tariff to a moderate re
. enue basis" and establish Cover
ment supervision of real or nation
. monopolies." Tariff-reform Dem
Gratis, and those Republicans who /
lieve that protection has nearly dol
7 its work and may now be discarde
in many directions at least, save
so far as it may result incidental
from revenue duties, will subscribe
I; the first, and many of them will al
y accept the second of these doubtful
a. planks. Protectionists of either par
will naturally object to the first, VIII,
ever they may think of the secon
The government supervision" plai
y needs elaboration; 1t may or may n
be radical, and 1t may or may Il
>. involve a constitutional amendmel
!, Before asserting or dissenting a b
of particulars may be required.
But the example of our commerce
" contemporary may be commended
~ other Independent, non-political age
cies and bodies. Let us have dehn
y proposals and outlines. Vague disc
sion or Illumination will not advar
' the scussion.-Chicago Event
ost.