The San Francisco call., 1903-12-08

mate lines. The purpose of the legislation.
which purpose will undoubtedly be fulnlleo'
was TO favor such man when he does wen,
and to supervise his action only to prevent
him from doing H. Publicity can do no
harm TO the honest corporation. Inc ohIy cor @
poratlon that has cause 10 dread IL IS the COZ
poration which shrinks from the light ana
about the welfare Of such CORPORATIONS we
need not be 0versensitive. The Work OF the
Department OF Commerce and Labor has been
conditioned upon this theory, Of securing falr
treatment alike for labor and for capital
The consistent DoIfcy of the National Govern
ment. far II has the power, Is 70
hold in check the unscr1ipulous man. whether
employer or employe; but to refuse TO weaken
individual initiative 70 hamper or cramp
the industrial development Of the country. We
recognize that this Is an era OF federation
and combination, in which great capltaiistc
corporations and labor unions have become
factors OF tremendous Importance in al lndus-
trial cenlers- Hearty recognition IS given Ihe
far-reaching. benehcent work which has been
accomplished through both corporations and
unions and the line as between diIerent cor
porati0ns. as between different unions is drawn
IL is between different individuals. that Is,
II is drawn on conduct. the effort being TO treat
both organized capital and organized labor
alike; asking nothing save that the interest OF
each shall be brought into harmony with the
interest Of the general public, and that the
conduct Of each shall conform to the funda-
mental rules Of obedience TO law, OF individ-
ual freedom, and Of justice and fair dealing
toward all Whenever either corporation, Ia
Dor union, or individual disregards the law
or acts in spirit Of arbitrary any tyrannous
Interference with the rights OF Others whether
corporations or individuals. then where the
Federal Government has jurisdiction it will
TO IL that the misconduct is stopped, pay
ing not the slightest heed to the position or
power OF the corporation, the union or the
individual. but only to one vital fact-that is.
the question whether or not the conduct OF the
individual or aggregate OF individuals is in ac-
cordance with the law OF the land. Every
must be guaranteed his liberty and his
right TO do he likes with his property or
his labor, so long he does not infringe the
rights OF others. No man is above the law
and no man is below It; nor do we ask any
mans permission when we require him TO
obey il. Obedience TO the law is demanded as
a right: not asked a favor.
We have cause nation TO be thankful
for the steps that have been successfully
taken to put these principles into effect The
progress has been by evolution, not by revo-
luton, Nothing radical has been done; the
action has been both moderate and resolute.
Therefore the work will stand. There shall
be backward step. II in the working OF
the laws 1t proves desirable that they shall al
any point be expanded amplihed. the amend
ment can be made as its desirabiity is shown.
Meanwhile they being administered
with judgment. but with insistence upon ODE
dience TO them; and their need has been en-
phaszed in signal fashion by the events OF
the past year.