The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
FUNCTIONS OF THE
NEW DEPARTMENT.

The Department OF Commerce and Labor
WIN be not only the clearing house for in
formation regarding the business transac-
lions Of the Nation but the executive arm
Of the government to aid In strengthening
our domestic and foreign markets, in per-
focting our transportation facilities, in
building up our merchant marine, In pre-
venting the entrance OF undesirable imni-
grants, IN improving commercial and indus
trial conditions and In bringing together on
IN Industrial progress-capital and labor.
Commerce between the nations Is steadily
growing in volume and the tendency OF the
times Is toward closer trade relations. Con-
slant watchfulness Is needed 10 secure TO
Americans the chance to participate to the
may confidently expect that the new depart
ment will justify the expectation or It's
creators by the exercise of this watchful-
ness, as well as by the buSinesslike admin
istration OF such laws relating TO our In
ternal affairs as are intrusted to it's care.
In enacting the laws above enumerated
the Congress proceeded on sane and con-
servative lines. Nothing revolutionary was
attempted; but a common-sense and sue
cesSful EFFORT was made In the direction
Of seeing that corporations are SO handled
as to subserve the public good. The legis-
latton was moderate. IT was characterized
throughout by the idea that we were not
attacking corporations, but endeavorfng to
provide Tor doing away with any evil in
them; that we drew the line against mis-
conduct. not against wealth; gladly recog-
mixing the great good done by the capitalist
who alone or in conjunction with his fell
Iowa, does his work along proper and legit-
innate lines. The purpose Of the legislation.
which purpose viii undoubtedly be full
filed, was to favor such a man when he
does well. and TO supervise his action only
to prevent him from doing Ill. Publicity can
do no harm TO the honest corporation. The
only corporation that has cause to dread
It Is the corporation which shrinks from
the light. and about the welfare of such
corporations we need not be oyersensitive:
and Labor has been conditioned upon this
theory. Of securing fair treatment alike for
labor and capital
Capital and Labor.
The consistent policy of the national gov
eminent. so far as 1t has the power, is to
hold in check the INSCRIPTIONS man,
whether employer or employee; but to refuse
70 weaken individual initiative or to hamper
or cramp the Industrial development OF the
country. We recognize that this is an era
Of federation and combination, in which
great capitalistfc corporations and labor
unions have become factors or tremendous
importance In all Industrial centers. Hearty
recognition Is given the far-reaching. bene-
dcent work which has been accomplished
Through both corporations and unions, and
the line between different corporations.
~ between different unions is drawn as IL
Is between different individuals; that Ia, ii
- drawn OH c0nduct, the eu0rt being 10
treat both organized capital and organized
labor alike; asking nothing save that the
interest OF each shall be brought into har-
mony with the interest OF the general pub
lie. and that the conduct OF each shall con-
form to the fundamental rules OF obedience
20 law, of individual freedom, and OF justice
and fair dealing towards ALL Whenever
either corporation, labor union or individual
disregards the law acts in a spirit OF
arbitrary and tyrannous Interference with
the rights OF others, whether corporations
or individuals. then. where the federal gov
eminent has Jurisdiction. il will to II
that the misconduct is stopped, paying not
the slightest heed to the position or power
OF the corporation. the union or the indi-
vtdual, but only to one vital fact-that is,
the question whether or not the conduct of
the individual or aggregate OF individuals
q In accordance with the law OF the land.
Every man must be guaranteed his liberty
and his right to do as he likes with his
property or his labor, SO long as he does not
Infringe the rights OF others. No man Is
above the law and no man Is below IL: nor
do we ask any mans permission when we
require him TO obey IL. Obedience to the
law L. demanded as q right; not asked as q
favor.
We have cause as a nation 10 be thank
ful for the steps that have been so sue
oessfully taken to put these principles into
eject. The progress has been by evolu-
ton. Nothing radical has been done: the
action has been both moderate and reso-
lutte. Therefore the work will stand. There
shall be no backward step. IL. I'm the work
ing OF the laws, IL proves desirable that
they shall at any point be expanded or am
piled. the amendment can be made as its
4ostrabtltty Is shown. Meanwhile they are
being administered with judgment. but with
their need has been emphasized in signal
fashion by the events OF the past year